Connor tagged along with Ben to Stark’s Marina. He didn’t really give Ben a choice about taking him since the idea of sitting in on Maddie and Evan’s conversation was out of the question. Maddie never would have agreed.

The plan was to be there if Dom needed a reminder of their previous conversation about the man and the water taxi. Ben seemed to think Dom might suffer from convenient amnesia in an attempt to avoid questioning. No doubt that Ben’s job really sucked.

They got out of the car and didn’t say much. Sipped on the coffees in their hands and listened to the thud of their footsteps as they walked to the pier.

A few cars lined the parking lot and boats bobbed in the water. The clanking of metal and splashing water sounded all around them. It was almost as strong as the stark smell of water and fish. The fishery business was alive and well here. Connor could see the last of the boats taking off, heading to more open water.

Ben broke the silence. “You okay?”

“Ever notice you spend a lot of time worrying about me?” That fact worked on Connor’s nerves. He hated being the one people worried about. He’d never lived his life that way. He stepped in, he handled whatever needed to be handled, but for the last few months, and for almost every minute since he stepped on Whitaker, people had been looking out for him. Never mind that he could take care of himself.

Ben laughed. “You are a full-time job.”

“I’m the easy Rye brother.”

“So you keep saying.”

Connor stopped and wasn’t surprised when Ben did, too. One thing Connor wanted to be clear about before much more time passed. “That Evan guy . . .”

“I’m not a fan either, but don’t miss the main point.”

“Which is?”

Ben walked over to the trash can and threw his empty cup away. Drew out his answer by waving to a family walking their dog and to a group of men who looked like they were playing cards on crates stacked on the pier.

He finally turned his attention to Connor. “Evan is a pain in the ass but his only job is to keep her safe.”

Dom appeared out of nowhere and walked right between them, breaking their conversation. “Ben.” He nodded, then looked at Connor. “And you. You’re back.”

As charming and welcoming as the last time. Connor lived all of his life in and around cities. People walked past each other, not seeing anything. Here everyone had something to say all the time, relevant or not. “We had such a nice talk when we tried before.”

Dom snorted. “If you say so.”

“I need to ask a few questions,” Ben said.

“Uh-huh.” Dom used his chin to gesture toward Connor. “Why is he here?”

Before he could answer, Ben did it for him. “Woman trouble.”