Yael came back out onto the driveway and stood with her arms crossed. Despite her disparaging words about his ‘manly strength’ he hadn’t missed the way she’d checked him out in the meeting earlier. She liked his muscles just fine. She simply didn’t want to like him.

He could work with that.

Not to get into her pants, although maybe he was lying to himself about that. He’d found himself thinking about her dark eyes and lush lips on and off all weekend. More importantly, she was interesting, and, ugh, smart—and smart was his personal kryptonite. So, he wouldn’t say no if she offered more than a working relationship, but what he really wanted was to get closer to her to get answers. Answers about her, about EG, about Scotty’s death.

And, aside from a little html, computer code was gibberish to him.

Across the cul de sac a man came outside and dumped a neatly stacked pile of cardboard into the recycling receptacle. The stranger waved at them and Yael waved back.

A For Sale sign in the stranger’s yard swung in the breeze. Yael didn’t have a sign. The perks of a private transaction.

Late twenties, five nine and slightly built with dark hair and thick black glasses, the man walked toward them wearing a goofy grin.

“Hey, I just moved in across the street. Kevin Karvo. I wanted to introduce myself to my new neighbors.”

Shane eyed him narrowly as the guy took Yael’s hand and shook vigorously.

Yael pulled quickly away and crossed her arms, hunching her shoulders against the chill. She opened her mouth to speak but Shane held out his good hand and interrupted. “Welcome to the neighborhood, Kevin.” Shane squeezed the other man’s hand firmly before letting go. “Betty loves it here, don’t you, honey?”

Yael raised her dark brows and looked at him as if he’d lost his ever-loving mind.

She caught on quickly though. “Yes, Billy. It’s a great community. I’m sure you’re going to love it here, Kevin. The people are real nice.”

Shane wrapped his right arm around Yael’s shoulders and tugged her to his side. He didn’t bother hiding his grin as she fell stiffly against him.

“Nice meeting you. Good luck settling in. Have a great evening now.” Then Shane steered Yael toward the garage and locked his truck remotely with the fob. They headed inside as Kevin took the hint and jogged back across the street to his own home.

Shane let go of Yael to walk down the side of the borrowed SUV toward the interior door. He pressed the garage door button so it rumbled shut.

“Mind if I come in and double-check your security system?”

Her arms were still crossed tightly across her chest, her spine and shoulders rigid. “You heard Alex say he set it up, right?”

“I did.”