Simon Says Die

grinning when he saw Madison and Pierce.
    â€œI thought you said your contractor was a woman.”
    The irritation in Pierce’s voice had Madison looking at him in surprise. “She is. I don’t know who these men are, but I assume they work for her. The name of her company is written on their truck—B-and-B Construction.”
    â€œThey don’t work for her.” He sounded disgusted. “She works for them.”
    She wanted to ask him what was wrong, but the men from the truck had just reached them.
    The first one, a dark-haired man just as tall and muscular as Pierce, and about the same age, grinned widely and pounded him on the back. “I didn’t expect you to be here.”
    The second man was quite a bit younger and looked like he should have been sitting in a college class somewhere. He was just as tall as the first one, but lankier, as if he hadn’t quite grown into his frame yet. He nodded at Madison but didn’t say anything.
    â€œWho’s this beautiful woman standing next to you?” The first man aimed his sunny grin at Madison.
    His grin was contagious. And when he added a wink, Madison laughed out loud. She stepped forward to introduce herself, but Pierce grabbed her around the waist and anchored her against him.
    She was about to tell him what she thought of his Neanderthal ways, but the sullen expression on his face made her pause.
    â€œMadison McKinley,” he said, “This grinning fool is Braedon. And the serious one is Matt. My brothers.”
    M ADISON SAT IN one of the chairs on the back patio, just behind the Victorian’s finished sunroom. Pierce had taken the chair next to her, and his brothers sat across from both of them. B&B Construction—Buchanan and Buchanan. She should have realized what the B&B stood for as soon as Pierce’s brothers got close enough for her to see them clearly.
    The older one, Braedon, looked the most like Pierce. Same build and coloring, but Braedon smiled a lot more than Pierce did. In fact, the more Braedon smiled, the less Pierce smiled.
    If she didn’t know better, she’d think he was jealous. And wasn’t that ridiculous? He’d made it clear after that shattering kiss the other day that he wasn’t interested in her. So why would he care if his brother flirted with her?
    She glanced at the younger brother, Matt. He looked to be around twenty, maybe twenty-one. At first, she’d thought he was shy. But after watching him with his brothers for the past few minutes, she realized he was just quiet, intent. He studied everything and everyone around him, as if he were absorbing every piece of information and weighing it for its worth. When he spoke, he chose his words carefully, making each one count.
    He caught her looking at him, but instead of winking and grinning like Braedon tended to do, he simply nodded and looked back at his brothers.
    â€œThis isn’t the first time there have been problems at Mrs. McKinley’s house,” Braedon said. “Colleen had two slashed tires there last week.”
    â€œDid she report any other problems? Did she see anyone watching the house while she and her crew were there?”
    Matt sat forward, crossing his arms on the tabletop. “Someone put sugar in one of the guy’s gas tanks the day they started pulling out the landscaping.”
    Braedon raised a brow. “You didn’t tell me about that.”
    Matt shrugged. “Didn’t need to. I took care of it.”
    â€œAnd how exactly did you take care of it?”
    â€œHe’s putting two kids through college. He can’t afford repairs like that. I leased him a loaner and put his truck in the shop. I told him the company will pay for it.”
    â€œThat’s a heck of an expense to approve for a kid who’s home on a break. Especially when it’s not you who’ll have to pay for it.”
    Matt stared at him, not looking impressed with his brother’s speech. He also didn’t rush to apologize.
    Madison tensed, wondering what Braedon would do.
    He suddenly grinned and slapped Matt on the back. “Good job, kid.” He turned back to Pierce. “I haven’t heard of any other problems. The footers for the sunroom’s foundation are scheduled to be dug next week. Should we cancel?”
    â€œYes,” Pierce said.
    â€œNo,” Madison said at the same time. “I’ll reimburse you for the losses your company has