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“Are you okay?” I ask Junie, for what is probably the millionth time.
After the showdown at Carl’s, I took Junie to the bar so she could meet with her contractor. It took a long time to finalize the work that needed to be done this week. Next, we drove to the station and June hung in my office while I caught up on work. We had dinner at Cliffside and when she went to the restroom, I called her brother.
Lodge was as pissed as I was that his sister was dealing with shit without letting us know, but he promised to call in some favors and track exactly where this fucker is staying and what he’s doing. Junie told me he was in New Hampshire playing for Ryker Lane, but something about that sets off warning bells for me. I guess we’ll know soon enough if I’m right, but I’m a big believer in gut instinct.
I’ve purposely kept the conversation light and avoided quizzing her on Rat Boy. Junie’s had enough for now, and I need to work things out in my brain. I have to keep some walls up between us for now, and that’s fucking hard to do.
“You keep asking me that,” Junie says, giving me a smile that doesn’t touch her eyes.
“That’s because you haven’t answered,” I remind her.
“You should’ve let me drive home. My car will be at Carl’s now, and I need to be at the club early in the morning.”
“I’ll take you,” I volunteer immediately. I could tell her that one of my men will be bringing her car over, but I don’t. The truth is, until we figure out what’s going on with Rat Boy, Junie will be with me or Gavin at all times. If we can’t be with her, then she will have a tail on her. Junie won’t like it, but she’s going to have to live with it, because that’s the way it’s going to be.
“You’re staying the night?” she asks, watching me closely, but her face giving nothing away.
“Do you want me to?” I ask, not telling her that I was planning on leaving a man outside her house tonight and returning early in the morning. If she wants me to stay, then I’m here…right here.
“Yes. I want your arms around me when I sleep, Ben.”
“Then, that’s what you’ll have.”
“Just like that?” she asks, surprise etched on her features.
“Just like that, Junie. I told you that I’m here for you. Whatever you need, I’ll do my best to make sure you get it.”
“You’re being better to me than I deserve,” she murmurs, sounding a little lost.
“Go take a shower, Junie. Get ready for bed while I lock up,” I tell her. She watches me, and I half expect her to change her mind, but she doesn’t. She just nods her head in agreement.
To distract myself while she’s in the bathroom, I go through the house making sure windows and doors are locked. I might be overreacting, but I feel like Rat Boy is out there, waiting to strike. Juniper doesn’t need to know that. Enough of this shit has touched her, the last thing she needs is for Rat Boy to get close to her. He wants to hurt her. I read people pretty well and he definitely is broadcasting his intent.
My phone rings and I answer it after locking the window in the kitchen. “Kingston,” I mumble into the phone as I stare out onto the street outside, distracted.
“How’s my sister?” Lodge asks, and I bring my attention back to this conversation.
“Shaken. I think she’s okay though. Junie’s tough.”
“Yeah, she is, but this fucker has had his damn fangs into her for a long time.”
“Not any longer. I don’t care what in the hell we have to do, but Junie’s fear ends tonight. This piece of shit becomes nothing more than a splat on the windshield. I don’t care what we have to do,” I growl under my breath. I don’t want Junie to overhear me.
“You know, we could all be overreacting. There’s a chance that you put the fear of God into this asshole tonight and he knows he better get the hell out,” Lodge responds.
“Yeah, old Shredder isn’t that fucking smart. He’s going to take it further. When he does, we need to be prepared.”
“Okay, man. I’ll call in those favors and see what exactly we’re dealing with,” Lodge says, and I nod my agreement, even though he can’t see me.
“Good. I’m betting that there’s a trail of women who would be willing to testify.”
“Another hunch?” Lodge asks, dryly.
“He left Junie alone for too long. I’d say something or someone had him distracted. I want names.”
“You don’t ask for much, do you, Kingston?”
“Talk to you tomorrow, Lodge.”
