“You told me his name over the phone. I, uh, may have looked into him.”
Of course he had, I thought, exhaling a breath. He was always keeping an eye on me.
“Sorry I didn’t get here sooner,” David added, “but I took the stairs.”
My mouth fell open. “That’s fourteen flights.”
“I couldn’t wait for the elevator to come back down and then up.” David turned to the detective. “Cooper’s a friend. I called him immediately.”
“Before you even knew for sure it was Mark?” I asked.
“I never ignore my gut.”
“Never?” I asked.
“Never.” David wet his lips, holding my gaze. “Even when it gets me in deep shit.”
“How do you know Mark Alvarez?” Detective Cooper asked, looking from David to me, getting out a notepad. “Why was he here? Did he threaten you, and if so, how exactly? Word for word.”
It’d all happened so fast. My clutch tightened on David’s blazer, keeping it closed. “I . . .”
“Not now, Coop,” David said. “Can we do this later?”
“I need a witness account to detain him, Dylan,” Cooper said, then sighed when David raised his brows. “But I suppose it can wait until tomorrow.” He turned to me, his expression smoothing. “I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name.”
I extended my hand. “Olivia.”
Instead of shaking, he handed me a card.
Detective Cooper,Chief of Detectives
Chicago Police Department, Organized Crime Division.
I repeated it to myself, trying to think of why it sounded familiar.
“Can I give you a ride somewhere, Olivia?” he asked.
As I started to accept, David cut me off. “I’ll take care of it.”
“I’m askingher,” Cooper nearly growled.
“Come on, Coop. You know me.”
Coopgave David a very ungracious look. “I don’t care,” he said. “This is about her, not you.”
Both men turned to me.
“It’s best that we end our personal and professional relationships here.”
David’s words from earlier came back in a rush, stinging all over again. I had no desire to leave the bubble of his protection, but he’d made it clear he didn’t want me around, and getting closer to him wasn’t a good idea onanylevel.
Especially if he intended to cut me out of his life once tonight was over.
“I appreciate the offer, David,” I said carefully, “but I think I’ll go with Detective Cooper.”
“Olivia, wait.” David took my elbow and withdrew when he seemed to think better of it. “I’m not letting you out of my sight until I know you’re home safe. Even if that means I get in Coop’s car with you.”
“I’m not taking you home, Dylan,” Cooper warned.
