“Jessie, I?—”
“How could you ever be attracted to someone like that?” Jessie asked, her voice so quiet Stone knew he shouldn’t be listening, but damn, he just couldn’t stop himself.
“She wasn’t like that back then. It wasn’t anything that lasted long, anyways. Just some fun.”
“Right. Well, thanks for stepping in for me, but I can handle myself.”
Hawk’s thumb tipped Jessie’s chin up. “I protect what’s mine, sweetheart.”
“I’m not yours,” she scoffed.
“Not yet.”
“Don’t play with fire, Chief. You’re gonna get burned.”
Gage sighed, grabbing a few dollars from his wallet and dropping them on the table. “Asmuch as I’m enjoying watching whatever the hell this weird display is between the two of you, we need to get backto the office.”
Jessie’s face flushed as Hawk ran his hand through his hair. “You guys can use the kitchen exit. It looks like it’s about to turn into a bit of a circus around here.” She pointed out the front windows, where a camera crew was already set up, Lo standing with another reporter pointing back inside the diner. Just perfect.
“Shit. I’m so sorry I brought this circus right to you,” Stone grimaced.
“Oh, don’t worry about us,” Dolly laughed. “I’ll have Colt down here in no time, and he’ll shoo them away. You guys just get going. And call up next time. I’ll have Jessie run down your orders to you so you don’t have to deal with all this again.”
“We owe you, Doll.” Hawk bent over and kissed her cheek.
“Kisses like that are the only payment I need, sugar. Now, get going.”
They walked through the kitchen and out into the back alley. The thin path connected all the businesses on Ford Avenue, opening up in some spots to accommodate parking lots behind the shops, before narrowing back down. They should be able to follow it back to Montgomery Defense without reporters following them… hopefully.
“Alright. Tell me why you looked like your brain short circuited back there.” Gage demanded.
“I think it did.”
“What? You really think something’s wrong? Are you in pain? I’ll get Mae and my truck.” Hawk was already turning to jog away when Stone stopped him.
“No. I think… IknowI saw something… someone… I shouldn’t have been able to see at Dolly’s.”
“What are you trying to say, Doc?”
“Track, it was Andy Limerick. I saw him. I saw him stand up from a booth on the other side of Dolly’s. I looked him right in the eyes.”
“That can’t be right. He’sdead. We were there. We’rebeing accused of murdering him and covering it up,” Gage grumbled.
“And just like that, you assholes find a way to completely fuck up my undercover operation.”
Stone jumped at the familiar voice. Turning, he watched FBI Agent Maxwell Wilson join them. The man looked like he’d been off the grid since the last time they’d seen him, nearly two years ago. Gunner was going to shit a brick. They’d walked away from a lucrative contract working with Max and his team for the FBI as consultants, but after everything happened with Lily… they all knew it was time to walk away and settle down.
“Keep walking.” Max directed. “Andy is behind us making sure we aren’t being followed.”
“Uh, Max.” Hawk smiled. “You wanna tell us what the fuck is going on?”
“Apparently, trouble is bound and determined to find you guys no matter how many of your national security contracts I dissolve. Let’s get back to your office and I’ll explain what I can.”
Twenty
Mae stood the second Stone walked through the door, Lily and Sloane flanking her with concerned looks on their faces. He’d thought it was concern for Mae, but the instant her face turned to fury as she locked eyes with him, Stone knew their concern was for his well being. Because Mae was going to rip into him, and he deserved it.
“What are you doing? You were in town by yourself?”
