Page 34 of Baker

Baker looked at me. “What’s that?”

“Let me get out of here, first,” Mort said with a laugh. “I’ve got to try and get to Chula Vista before dark, and if you two start scrappin’, I’ll want to stay and watch.”

“Thanks, Mort,” I stood and then walked around my desk. “See you next week.”

“See ya, Kid,” he said over his shoulder.

As the sound of him going down the stairway diminished to nothing, I looked at Baker. He broke my gaze and looked away.

He went to the window and stared out at the street for a moment. After an awkward period of silence, he turned around. Worry washed over his face. I wanted to tell him the news, but his eyes told me it wasn’t a good time.

I decided to sit down and wait for the right time to tell him. I faced my desk. Before I took my first step I felt his hand on my shoulder. Hoping he was willing to talk about whatever seemed to be bothering him, I pivoted on the balls of my feet and spun around.

The look in his eyes had changed.

Drastically.

ELEVEN - Baker

Since my introduction to this earth, I’d been tracked by US Marshals, stabbed twice, hit by a speeding truck while running from an ATF agent, chased by local police, shot at, and involved in more fights than I could ever accurately count. I’d been accused of much, convicted of nothing, and suspected of committing dozens upon dozens of various crimes since childhood.

Through the course of it all, I never faltered. Not once. Solid as a rock was how my MC brethren described me. Regardless of what life tossed in front of me, I knew I would never stumble, take pause, or deviate from my normal manner of behavior.

Being in Andy’s presence caused me to question my beliefs.

I’d formulated and carried out plans to rob banks during their business hours, break into Federal Savings and Loan institutions that were considered burglar-proof, and even relieved a political dignitary of his jewels while he was traveling in an armed motorcade.

But.

I couldn’t seem to concoct a way to rid myself of Andy.

For her safety – and for my well-being – I desperately needed to end what was developing between us. I was foolish for having fucked her in the first place. If I didn’t make a change quickly, Cash would eventually see us together.

When he did all bets were off.

I gazed through the glass of her office window, focused solely on ending the sexual relationship between us. Getting rid of her entirely could come later.

Count to three, Bake.

Then, turn around and tell her you’re married.

I drew a shallow breath.

One.

Two.

Three.

I faced her. Like sheets of fine golden silk tinged with vermilion, her hair cascaded over her shoulders. Wearing an innocent smile, she looked at me and batted her eyes. Until that moment, I would have described them as simply being brown.

They weren’t.

They were the color of honey. Thin shards of broken brown glass were sprinkled throughout the iris, adding such depth and beauty that I couldn’t bring myself to speak.

She broke my gaze and turned toward her desk. I needed one last look at her. An image I could hold onto long after she was gone. I reached for her shoulder.

She spun around and looked me in the eyes.