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Paul.
I don’t know what he wants, but I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I’m eating dinner at a low-traffic, obscure, hole-in-the-wall dive that he happens to be walking into.
Pretty calculated.
If I were by myself, I would approach him, but I don’t know what he wants, and my gut tells me, at this time of night, whatever it is, it’s nothing good.
Right then and there, a protective instinct snaps through me.
Payton.
Despite my hatred and animosity toward her, I don’t want to see Payton die.
I quietly stand from the chair, throw down a hundred, and then lift my finger to my mouth, telling her to be quiet, and pull her up from the seat.
Where we’re sitting, I have a view of the door; however, he can’t see us, so I quickly steer her out the back way.
“Why are we—”
“Shh,” I cut her off
She listens to my advice and is quiet as we get back into the car.
“What was that all about?” she asks, her voice laced with confusion.
“Nothing that you need details of right now.”
With her eyes locked on me, she watches me. “You rushed me out of there, but I didn’t finish eating.”
She pouts, and I sigh.
“Fine. I’ll get you some dessert.”
Pulling the car onto the street, I weave my way through traffic until we are back on West Broadway, heading to my place.
“Then why are we headed home?” she points out.
“Because, believe it or not, Chef makes homemade ice cream for himself.”
From the corner of my eye, I catch her mouth falling open. “How did I not know that?”
She sounds more appalled than when I ordered her to give presentations to my staff, and I shouldn’t be amused, but I am.
I shrug, changing lanes. “Because it’s a secret.”
“And you know this then?”
“It’s my house.”
“But it’s his ice cream.”
“Well, technically, it’s mine. Duh. My house.”
There’s that cute grin on her face again, and damn if my cock did not get the memo.
I make a few rounds through the area, checking for tails. It’s not a secret where I live, but I’d at least like to know if I have someone following me. If Payton notices that we’re driving in circles, she doesn’t comment.
Finally, I pull up to my building, park the car in my spot, and lead her upstairs. My hand touches the small of her back. I feel the warmth radiate through it.
