Page 69 of Johnny

everything else in the trash can.

Once the activation is complete I press in the number I want to call and turn to look back towards

the restaurant to see if I can spot Johnny and his friend from this vantage point.

But that’s when I see the tall, broad security guy who was with them at their table—heading

straight for me.

I flip the phone closed and shove it into my pocket just as he comes close enough to call out,

“Megan? Are you Megan?” in his Caribbean accent.

Confused, I crinkle my face at him.

“Miss Machette?” he says, closer now. “I was sent to find you and take you to your friend.”

Normally I’d be super suspicions of this guy. My friend? Really? But I know he’s telling the truth

because I just saw him at their table and pegged him as security. Still, I feel the need to play it off. I

don’t want this guy to know I followed Johnny over here. Though… it is pretty obvious.

“I’m Megan. But I don’t know who you’re talking about.”

“I am Thane. My boss is a friend of Mr. Boston’s. You came here with him.”

It’s not a question so I don’t bother replying.

“It’s important that you come with me. For your safety.”

“Where is Johnny?” I ask.

Thane nods his head in the direction of the restaurant. “At a table outside. Would you like to come

with me? Or should I call Mr. Boston so he can assure you that this is all legitimate?”

I probably should make him go through the motions of doing that, but I don’t want to make a lasting

impression on this man. Argue with him and he remembers me. Go along amicably and maybe he

forgets all about this small task he was assigned.

I go along. “No. It’s fine,” I say. “Lead the way.”

Thane gives me an equally amicable smile and pans his hand towards the restaurant in an

understated ‘after you’ gesture. I know where Johnny and his friend are sitting so I spy them long

before they spy us.

They both stand up as we approach—like they are gentlemen and not a Way banker and his arms

dealer. Because even though I don’t know his friend, I know his type. And that’s what he is.

“That was fast,” the friend says. “She was close, huh?”

“Right outside the electronics store,” Thane tattles.