Background checks. Evan pondered it seriously. It had pros and cons; each obvious. The pros were quite obviously knowing who was in their compound at any given time. The cons... that it was a government database. Announcing that they were still alive and kicking out there if they happened to get caught. Another obvious con was that good people sometimes had bad pasts; Rodeo and Hannigan were both shining examples of that. So who was to know who they'd be turning away? "It's something to consider. Something to talk about. Definitely not a bad idea, though it might make everyone else sort of wary." He shrugged. "If it's what we have to do to weed out murderers, I'm all for it."
With a shrug, Evan nodded. "Well, sure. But arguably, everything's a risk. Everything worth doing, anyway." Even being alive nowadays was a risk. "It's worth a try. And I doubt they'd forget that we're here. Not after we took out so many of their men." Especially when they'd tried to bust the door down. "It's worth considering, cher. A good idea."
Decoys. Something Evan hadn't considered. "That's a good point." He nodded his head. "I don't know why I didn't talk to you about this before. You're providing me with a lot more insight," he chuckled humorlessly. "Things I hadn't thought of." He smoothed a hand through her hair and smiled, kissing her forehead.
Ducking his head and nodding, he chewed on his lip. "I do remember." He dashed his tongue out to wet his lips. "And you're right." He glanced at her again. "Do you ever feel like... like this was a mistake?" he asked her. He didn't really have doubts or anything. Not usually, anyway. But it was just something that plagued him sometimes.
The confession that Leah wished he hadn't brought Mari here broke his heart. He lowered his head and nodded in understanding. "I can understand why you would think that..." he said sadly. "It's been constant danger since she came around. But..." he turned to look at Leah, a serious expression on his face. "I swear to you. Nothing will happen to her." And if they wanted to, it would have to be over Evan's dead body. "Nothing will happen to either of you. You are the most important people in my life." And he meant that from the very bottom of his heart.
Was it illogical? Brandon was violent, and prone to wild mood swings. Easily provoked. So was it illogical that he could potentially be a murderer? A serial murderer? No. But if Leah believed in him, Evan would put his own dislike aside and agree with her. "I know he wouldn't." He decided that it was definitely a bad idea to mention his theories with Eloise.
If nothing else, if Brandon didn't come around in a few days, Evan would talk to him. "Families forgive each other. Brandon will forgive you. Your brother is a good brother," even if he's not the best person, "and he loves you. He'll forgive you. I'd put money on it."