“Sure. Meet me in my office in five.” I lift the mug, indicating I need a few moments to let the caffeine enter my blood flow.
Lacy smiles. “You got it. See you then.”
I’m deep in my morning meeting when my phone vibrates in my jacket pocket. I pull it out absentmindedly. Not many people text me during the day. I don’t have a lot of friends outside of work and Surrender. When would I have time?
Leah is my closest friend at the club, and I have casual relationships with a few ladies at work—including Lacy—but that’s about it. Leah doesn’t text me at work.
I can’t help but smile when I see it’s from Colt, but then I remember that any text from him is probably not something I want to see. Either he’s spotted a threat or he’s solved the case. I shouldn’t be wishing he wouldn’t wrap things up quickly of course. That’s insane. I need him to find out who’s following me and put an end to the threat. But that also means an end to our strange relationship.
I take a moment to brace myself before opening the text, glancing around to make sure no one is looking at me.
Just want to make sure you’re okay. You were flustered when you got out of the car. I hope I didn’t push you too far.
My hands are shaking as I put the phone back in my pocket. I can’t possibly respond to him right now.
The meeting ends ten minutes later, and I wait until I’m back in my office alone before I consider my response.
I’m fine. I wasn’t flustered. And you didn’t push me too far. Don’t you have bad guys to catch? Why are you texting me?
I grin as I send it.
Seconds later, I’m watching the three little dots that indicate he’s responding already.
Amazing how you can manage to both lie and sass me in so few words. What shall I do about that? Get back to work. I’ll see you at six.
I gasp as I set the phone on my desk. Holy shit. My legs are bouncing under the desk. It feels too warm in here. And for the first time in my career, I’m aroused at work. I might have lied about being flustered when I got out of the car, but I’m ten times more flustered now.
Lacy pokes her head into my office, making me jump in my seat. She frowns. “You okay?”
“Yep. Yes. Sorry. You startled me. What’s up?”
“I just wanted to see if you’d like to grab lunch? I’m in the mood for a salad.”
I ponder how to respond. “Sounds great. Can we order it to be delivered? I’m not sure I have the time to go out today. But I could take thirty when it gets here. Will that work?”
“Perfect. I’ll place our order. The usual?”
“Yes, and add a large iced tea.”
“Got it. See you when it arrives.” Lacy wanders away.
I stare at the door. Iced tea? Do I think that’s going to shake me out of my hazy gray zone like the coffee? Good grief.
Chapter 13
Colton
I slide into the booth at the greasy burger joint I love moments before Davis arrives to join me.
“How’s it going?” he asks as he sits across from me. “I keep thinking you’ll need some backup help from Black Blade, but I haven’t heard a peep out of you.”
I smirk. “You think I can’t handle my job on my own?” I joke.
He chuckles. “I have no doubt you can.”
A waiter comes by to take our orders. Davis meets my gaze again. “Seriously though. Have you made any headway?”
I sigh. “Not much. I’m paying close attention to Owen Karplus and the mysterious stalker. That asshole was waiting in front of Eve’s building again today, but he hasn’t cottoned on to the fact that she’s been leaving in my car yet. I wonder how he thinks she gets to work or if he believes himself to be slipping.”
“Shit, though. I can’t stand the idea of someone watching her. Does she know it?”
“I don’t always tell her. Had to yesterday while she was at lunch outside of her office building, but I don’t mention it in the mornings or when we come home.”
“And Owen? What’s he been up to?”
“Nothing. Seems clean so far. Goes to work. Goes home mostly. I’ve dug deeper into his finances though. His bar is upside down. He’s hurting for cash flow.”
“That could mean something. Or it could mean nothing.” Davis sighs. “Plenty of people lose their businesses every day without deciding to sell a human being to save themselves.”
“Exactly.” I sit back. “Hopefully I’ll get a better read on Owen tomorrow night at the club. Otherwise, I’m spinning my tires right now. I finally got a picture of the stalker, but he’s not in the system.”
“Damn. That sucks.”
“My boss sent it for deeper analysis, but that’s going to take some time. He hasn’t done anything. He’s no real threat to anyone as far as the law is concerned. Maybe he just finds Eve attractive and he’s building up the courage to ask her out.”
Davis smirks. “You don’t believe that.”
“Fuck no. Neither does anyone else. But that’s where the rule of law stands right now.”
Davis sighs. “Send me the picture and I’ll ask Roman and Julius if they recognize the man on the off chance he’s a member of Surrender or has ever visited. I’ll give a copy to Blade too. You never know what he might come up with.”
I nod. “Good idea.” I have no doubt Davis’s boss has a database that would rival anything at the police station. Black Blade Protection is the equivalent of a privatized police agency.
The waiter drops off our drinks, and then Davis meets my gaze when we’re alone again. “That’s not why you asked me to lunch.”
I shake my head. “No.”
He smiles. “How did
