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“One, you didn’t give me a chance to tell you about favors owed to me, Tobin. Two, let me go work my magic on the ones who owe me, and I’ll call you back with the results. I already know I’ll be seeing you soon. Three, I’m coming ready to kick some ass. Nobody fucks with my boy’s girl that’s not really his girl.” He was so damn sure of himself.
“Fine. I got five minutes left before I have to go get in my feelings on purpose anyway.” I swiveled my head toward the half-assembled gun and my shirt on the other seat. “And I need to put a few things together. Be waiting on your call.”
“Later, Graham.”
“Later, Underwood.”
I reached for the parts of the gun laying on top of the cooler. The magazine of the Glock glided into place with a click. I slid the gun into my neoprene underarm gun holster. Some might say it was a bit much. I rather have the weapon and not need it than need it and not have it. Grabbing the white dress shirt lying on the passenger seat, I slung it on, buttoning it to conceal the gun.
The truck door opened noiselessly for me, and I jumped down to the concrete. Rotating at the waist, I surveyed the busy street several yards away behind me. Tucking my dress shirt in khaki slacks, I secretly loathed my outfit. It was somewhat restricting. Marines were more of a comfortable t-shirt, loose cargo pants, and stealthy combat boots kind of guys. Still, if I thought putting on a two-piece suit would tempt Cherise into dating me, I'd wear that too.
> Us dating would likely never happen. Fortunately, I had resigned myself to that fate years ago. Cherise was so far out of my league we existed in two different zones in the same state. Come hell or high water, I’d keep her safe in hers. In my peripheral, a white Dodge Ram truck eased its way down the street in the slow lane. Easing was way too slow for this road, and highly suspect when the traffic light was green. Anything that suspicious had to be checked out thoroughly since Cherise was being targeted by someone.
I became hyper-aware of the truck standing out like a sore thumb when no one else was easing down the road. Doing the speed limit anywhere in New York got you the middle finger, the vicious honk of a horn, and possibly a citation for disrupting the flow of traffic. As predicted, the Dodge received several bird salutes combined with horn toots as other cars rocketed around it. Whoever was driving the truck didn't care about the rude gestures. It continued moving well below the limit as if the driver was searching for a specific place, thing, or person.
This wasn't the street to be lost or meandering on. In the heart of town, traffic moved swiftly even when light. At this time of day, it was anything but light. Cars were bumper to bumper. Everyone else was driving like they were on a racetrack. This guy was in no hurry, out of place, and deserved my total concentration. He had it.
Shutting my door to lock it with the key fob, I jogged toward the road as he moseyed down it. The other motorists were following him too closely for me to get a read on the truck's rear license plate number. A good look at the driver wasn't achievable through the truck’s blacked-out windows. I didn't sweat losing out on getting the important details. Everything about that truck was stored in my memory bank now. If there was something here he thought belonged to him, he'd be back. I'd be here too.
When the Dodge vanished from my view, I doubled back to find Cherise loitering on the sidewalk. One hand was shielding her eyes from the bright noon sun. The concern in her face only enhanced her beauty. My khakis got even more restrictive in certain areas.
"Why are you all the way over there, Mr. Graham?” she yelled at me as I reached the halfway mark to her. “What's going on?"
My first instinct was to tell her the truth. If a pissed off ex or looney stalker had traced her here, she should be informed. I couldn’t be sure what the Sunday driver was up to, though. Causing her to worry needlessly wasn’t necessary right now. A good lie that couldn't be disputed was in order.
"I thought I spotted someone I hadn't seen in a long time driving by. I ran over to the street to get a better look, but they went by too fast. Why did you come out?" As far as I was concerned, it wasn’t safe for her to be out in the open yet. I’d notify her of that when it was time.
She shifted all her weight to one emerald green heel. "I was looking for you. It's three minutes past one. You're never late for appointments." That was because I was usually here on reconnaissance.
Yep, keeping that to myself.
It was humbling that she came looking for me. I ambled up on the sidewalk next to her, using my discretion to take in the dress cupping her hour-glass frame. Geometric shapes of different shades on a green background framed her collar like a necklace, accentuating the curves of her breasts beneath the designs and the bare skin above. My mouth watered to taste, tease, then test the suppleness of her breasts and skin with my tongue. Knowing how that would turn out, I digested the extra saliva and kept my tongue to myself.
"Mr. Graham," Cherise summoned me out of my gutter thoughts.
"Yes." To whatever she wanted.
Down, boy.
Her concern deepened, the soft slope of her forehead wrinkling. "Do you need to cancel your appointment and go catch your friend?"
What? Hell no! That was no friend of mine, I shouted in my mind.
"No," came out my mouth. "It was someone I really wanted to talk to, but not a friend ever." That wasn't a lie, at least. I didn't even know if it was a man or woman lurking.
Cherise’s expression morphed to a sexy pout. "If it's important to you, we can make up the time missed today, tomorrow."
As if I'd miss a date with her. I meant miss a day with her. Technically, it was an hour. An hour with her was the highlight of all my days. No way was I skipping those sixty minutes for any reason. Unless whoever she was running from showed up. Until then, my time was all hers.
Aiming to demonstrate that, I reached past Cherise to open the door for her. "I'm here. You're here. Let's do the work, Dr. Johnston. The other stuff can wait."
"That's the right attitude to have when it comes to your future career, Mr. Graham." With a wide smile that I put on her mouth, she graced the waiting area with her presence.
It was no hardship for me to tag along in the back of her. I was going to Hell for gaping at her ass that had to be sculpted by a Goddess. Who else could know how the sway of rounded flesh in thin cotton would entice a man to commit bad acts? That ass was a woman’s doing specifically to bring on a man’s ruin. Ruin me, please. In the meantime, I tore my eyes away from her to watch where I was going.
Miss Clark, dressed in black from head to toe, as usual, greeted me with a shy wave. Eclectic silver rings adorned each of her fingers. There was a new ring in her nose. That had to hurt something horrible. Most businesses wouldn't have hired her for her choice of style alone. Fucking snobs. It was good to know Cherise didn't practice bigotry along with psychiatry.
Miss Clark side-eyed Cherise approaching. "Dr. Johnston thought you had let her down today, Mr. Graham. I told her you'd get yourself a real girlfriend to talk to one day. That would be way cheaper for you than coming here."
