Right.Faking my best smile, I holster my weapon.
Like Mr. Clean or the Jolly Green Giant, he stands with his arms crossed and legs apart. The only thing missing is a ho-ho-ho or a bottle of spray cleaner.
I refuse to be intimidated by this man. “For the love of God, don’t you have someplace else to be?”
“Nope. You?” If this night wasn’t bad enough, his grin sends an arrow of lust to my clit.
No, no, no. Not him, not now.
“You guys, we’re missing the best part of the lantern tour.” Charlie grabs my hand and whisks me toward the dots of LEDs, now visible at the foot of the lighthouse.
“Who is this person Tommy?” The dude trots alongside with an uneven gait, not a bit out of breath. His question was meant for me but the teenager butts in.
“My dad.” A criminal’s child should know better than to give out personal information.
Throwing her a scowl, I glance over my shoulder, where he keeps pace next to my long-legged client.
“Did you see someone? Is that why you hid?” The inquisitor holds his side as if he has a cramp and his brows furrow, but he doesn’t fall behind, even when I pick up my pace.
Charlie tosses her long hair and snickers. “Other than you? Nope. If I get scared, I am to hide and keep my head down. Those are the rules.”
By the time we catch the tour, most of the attendees have returned their lanterns. After a quick lie to explain our absence, I thank our guide, and walk my young, impressionable ward back to my car.
Mr. None-of-Your-Damn-Business follows on our heels and waits nearby while I text Brownstone.
ME: NEED U 2 CALL ME NOW!
Ah fuck. How I wish I could go back in time and refuse the Fed’s offer. Hadn’t I predicted this exact scenario? Brownstone assured me I would never be alone and yet, here I am.
Driving out of the parking lot, I adjust the rearview, and sure enough, our new best friend pulls behind us. “Get under the dash. Mr. Winky-Face is following us.”
Charlie squeals and swivels in her seat. “Holy crap, can you believe it?”
I can understand her enthusiasm, but we know nothing about this man.
“He could be a serial killer.” I press down on the accelerator, glance in the mirror, and when the SUV keeps pace, my heart races.
“Don’t worry. He’s a white hat.” To rely on Charlie’s almost supernatural ability to judge people would be pure madness. We could both end up dead.
I’d like to think the guy on my bumper is one of the good guys, so why is he following us? The stakes are too high to trust him implicitly, so I call my employer and surprise, surprise, no one picks up.
Using the skills my dad taught me, I run a red light, screech around a corner and swing into a church parking lot. Once I’m sure I lost our sexy buddy, I race to the safe house’s private drive, enter the security code, and the gate clunks behind us. After I heave out a sigh of relief, I rush us inside the building, lock the door and pour myself a shot of Tommy’s best bourbon.
Who sent us the tour tickets? Why didn’t they show up? Charlie’s dad wouldn’t’ve given the burner number to just anyone. Are we compromised?
Should I stay or should I go now?While the tune from The Clash rattles around in my brain,Charlie grabs the bottle, takes a gulp, and grins. “You were so fucking awesome. Do you think I could learn how to be a bodyguard?”
Picturing Tommy’s reaction to her career choice, I let out a guffaw. “I don’t think your father would approve.”
“In a few years, he won’t be the boss of me.” She sighs, parts the curtains an inch, and asks, “Where did you go to school? Perhaps you could write me a recommendation?”
And get a Bachelor’s degree in what? Protection Sciences?Chuckling to myself, I mask my amusement and answer honestly. Kids need to know some things can’t be learned in a classroom.
“My dad was a Navy SEAL. Whenever he was on leave, we’d go camping in the wilderness. He taught me everything.”And I miss him every damn minute.
As always, thoughts of him bring the worst day of my life to mind, the time my aunt told him I had ADD. Although it wasn’t my fault, I still feel like I let him down.
“Do you think we should call my dad?” While Charlie’s question is a valid one,I’ve already tried repeatedly.
