Page 45 of Diamonds in the Mud

Felix laughed slightly. “Find out why.” He slapped me on the shoulder and then, instead of working out, waved his hand, and the two Reapers that were currently in the building followed him outside.

It was almost as if they knew Rayne was about to make an appearance. If Felix had given him free rein to do what he wanted with her, why in the fuck were they watching them?

Shit. That meant no matter what, he still hadn’t earned their trust.

After they left, I tried to go about my business, looking out the windows, eager for Rayne to get there.

When she finally did show up, I felt both relieved and anxious. Were they still watching us?

Since they knew that we’d spent the night together in the cabin, I pulled her into my arms and kissed her.

“For show?” she asked against my ear.

“Both for that and to settle my nerves. I’m pretty sure they know about last night,” I said as I pretended to hug her.

“Oh, they do. I received a lovely photo of us on the porch of the cabin from this morning in my email.”

“Shit.” I pulled back, my entire body tense.

“Who do they think owns the cabin?” she asked.

“I told them it was a friend. Someone who owed me a favor.”

“Now,” she said in a normal voice, “how about you show me what equipment your gym has that can help work out the kinks.”

“Sure,” I agreed and took her hand to lead her back to the locker rooms where she could change into the workout clothes that she most likely had in the gym bag on her shoulder.

After she disappeared into the women’s locker room, I signed her in at the register computer as my guest and then waited. I tried not to glance out the windows too much but from what I could tell, it appeared the Reapers had left us alone. It appeared that way, but I still felt like someone was watching.

When she came out, my heart pretty much stopped when I ran my eyes over the skin-tight dark gray yoga outfit she had on.

“Okay,” I said, then had to clear my throat when my voice cracked. Rayne instantly smiled. “Let’s start with a warmup,” I said, taking her hand and walking to the mats.

I was under no assumption that Rayne didn’t know how to work out. I’d run my hands all over that body and knew full well that she was toned everywhere.

Once we started lifting weights, she matched me stride for stride. Even though I had more weight, her form was perfect, assuring me she knew what she was doing.

“Think it’s safe for us to talk here?” she asked.

I shrugged. “Probably not. But if we keep our voices low, we’ll be okay.”

“Have you figured out what they want from me yet?” she asked softly, between reps.

“They want to know what you were doing at the city building this morning,” I answered as I glanced up towards the windows.

She was quiet for a moment. “They followed me out to the Bobbys’ place, and I spotted them after I left the city office.”

I nodded. “I’m almost one hundred percent sure that they’re out there right now, watching.”

“Oh, I know it. They’re really bad at tailing.” She chuckled and then sat up straight. “If you want to tell them, I was interviewing Jackson Pennington.”

I frowned. “The investor and owner of this place?”

She nodded. “He owns most buildings in town. But the important part is that his office is directly across from the mayor’s.” She stood up as I moved over to add more weights to the bar. “And since Sharon’s death, he’s filled in as mayor.”

“Dotting all the I’s?” I asked.

“Twice.” She rolled her shoulders. “Is that all they want?” she asked with her back to the windows.