Sarah and Kevin 14

After dinner, Peter stomped downstairs. Scott and Tom followed him but Tom gave her a shy smile before going down to practice. Kevin stood up and helped her clear the table.

"How long did it take you to write all of that?" Kevin asked.

"About a year and a half for each. I also write a weekly column for the local rag." She sighed. "I think Peter wanted me to say that I wrote erotica so he could 'help me with my research'." Sarah mocked Peter's sexy voice.

Kevin laughed. "Most women melt at his feet when he talks like that."

Sarah nodded. "I can see that. I'll bet he can be persuasive. And persistent."

"Yeah." Kevin said sourly. "He always gets what he wants."

"Oh well. There's a first time for everything." Sarah said and filled the kitchen sink. Kevin smiled as they washed dishes together.

The next two weeks passed quickly. Scott got them some work and Sarah kept them sheltered and fed. It was a Wednesday night when Kevin met Mark again.

Kevin had taken to doing the dishes with Sarah every night. Thankfully, Peter left them alone while they did this. Wednesday night, Kevin was drying dishes as usual when the back door opened.

"Sarah Jane," said a voice. Kevin turned to see the red haired cop in his civvies stepping in the back door. He gave Kevin a withering look.

Sarah lifted her head and looked out the window over the sink into the darkness. "Yes, Mark?" her voice was flat.

"You still mad at me?" he asked.

She sighed. "I'm over it. But I hear you were harassing my musicians. Wanna explain?" She turned around and leaned against the sink, arms crossed.

"Just watching out for my own," he said.

"Kevin, this is my brother-in-law, Mark. I imagine he didn't introduce himself when he pulled you over."

Kevin nodded at him. He nodded back coldly.

"Can I talk to you alone?" Mark asked Sarah, obviously ignoring Kevin.

"I'll see you later," Kevin said to Sarah and walked past Mark and down the stairs. He heard Sarah sigh as he left the kitchen.

"Man, you look pissed." Peter said when Kevin reached the bottom of the stairs.

"That cop with the red hair that stopped us is here. He's her brother-in-law." Kevin said.

"Her brother-in-law?" Peter asked. "Did she call him that?"

"Yeah, why?" Kevin asked.

"Because if she called him that, she must be widowed. If she were divorced, she would call him her ex-brother-in-law." Peter told him.

"Congratulations, Sherlock," Kevin said. "So what?"

"So, no wonder she's been giving me the brush off. She must be still mourning him. I just need to change my tactics and, boom, I'm in. If you know what I mean." Peter was very proud of himself.

Kevin felt sick to his stomach. Peter was like an unstoppable force when he was after a woman. Most of them did not stand a chance once he turned on the charm. Kevin had been impressed with Sarah's ability to blow off Peter's advances. But now that Peter thought he had her figured out, maybe she would succumb just like the rest.

"Do you ever not think with your dick? Seriously?" Kevin asked.

"Um. No. Besides, I'm doing this for all of us. Once I am 'in' we can do whatever we want." Peter sneered. Kevin clenched his fist and took a step toward Peter. He was envisioning how Peter would look with a fat, bloody lip.

"All right. Shut up and get ready to play." Scott said.