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We quickly paid for our purchases then jumped in my car and headed down the street to the bakery. I kept the car idling while Luc ran in to grab the small strawberry shortcake I’d ordered earlier in the week.
He’d only been gone two minutes when I got the distinct impression of being watched again. A tingling sensation worked its way up my spine, spreading across my neck. Checking the side and rearview mirrors, I spotted it halfway down the street. A black midsize SUV, much like the one that followed me the other night, was parked along the curb. I couldn’t see inside the vehicle from where I sat, due to the dark tint on the windows, but the plumes of smoke coming from the tailpipe indicated it was occupied.
Enough was enough. Whatever game this asshole thought he was playing, I was done. Unlatching my seat belt, I reached into the glovebox and withdrew my Glock 19 from its holster. I was out of the car and stalking toward my prey in an instant; the gun tucked carefully in the back of my pants.
“What the fuck?” I heard Luc exclaim from behind me as he exited the bakery.
When he saw where my eyes were focused, he laid the cake on the roof of my car and joined in my pursuit. When we were within seventy-five yards, the SUV pulled away from the curb, making a U-turn in the middle of the street before speeding off in the opposite direction.
“Fucking coward,” I spat.
“Did you catch any of the plate?”
“Maryland tag. First three, G-B-6.”
“Same one from the other night?” he asked as we returned to my car.
“I can’t be a hundred percent, but considering the fucker didn’t stick around, I’d say the chances are good.”
While I drove, Luc called Gabe and Rico, giving them a description of the vehicle along with what I’d captured of the license plate. My gut screamed it was Keaton and I’d learned years ago not to ignore my instincts.
“When’s the next time Clarke is scheduled to be on my mat?”
“You think it’s him?” Gabe asked.
“The kid has had it out for me since the moment he walked into Quattro,” I offered. “Maybe it’s time to figure out why.”
“Next week,” Rico answered. “Please wait for me to get there before you ask him.”
“Why does he need to wait?” Luc piped up, asking what I was thinking.
“Well…if you want to miss out on Alec’s version of questioning, by all means, be late getting to the office next Tuesday.”
“Shit. You’re right.” He rubbed his hand across his forehead. “I’ll get there early.”
“I’ll bring the popcorn.” Rico laughed maniacally.
“Idiots,” Gabe sighed.
Me? I smiled.
_______________
“HOLY SHIT,” QUINexclaimed when she walked in the door a little after five. “I can’t believe you all kept this from me.”
“Happy Birthday, baby.” I leaned in to give her a kiss on the cheek.
“You didn’t honestly think we’d let your birthday go by without a party, did you?” Emory pulled her farther into the room.
“I’ve only ever celebrated with my parents, maybe a few classmates.”
“Now you have all of us, so you should expect some sort of shenanigans on a yearly basis,” River grinned.
“Oh, so you three are going to keep the shenanigans to a minimum?” Rico chuckled, earning a glare from his woman.
He spoke the truth though. Everywhere the girls went, trouble seemed to follow. Between River’s past and Emory’s parents, we’d had our hands full over the past few months. I was looking forward to a time when we weren’t waiting for the other shoe to drop, but considering I had my very own stalker of sorts; there was a storm brewing.
Emory had done an incredible job with the decorations. There were pink and silver streamers hanging from the light fixtures and a fuckton of balloons floating around my apartment. The kitchen table was covered with a white plastic tablecloth and a huge bouquet of pink roses in the center––my contribution––which was surrounded with a multitude of gift bags.
