“Positive,” I tell her. “Have a good night, Giana.”
She smiles, leaning in to place a light kiss to my cheek. “Have a good night, Damian.”
I wait until she gets in safely, then pull away, on my way to get where I really want to be.
Brielle’s apartment is on the other side of the city, and the pure number of people out and about makes everything move slower.When I finally get there, there’s no place to park. I travel up and down her block twice, looking for anywhere I can pull over. I’m about to take my third time around when I spot someone.
“Hey,” I call out my window. “Pete.”
Pete throws his hand up in a wave, and I beckon him over.
“Mr. Edgerton, how are you tonight?”
“Fine. I need to ask you a favor though. I’ll give you two hundred dollars if you find a place to park my car and leave the keys and location in Brielle’s mailbox.”
He hesitates. “That feels a bit steep for valet service.”
“It’s an emergency.” I’m already getting the cash out of my wallet. I see him tracking the money, but he doesn’t make a move to take it. Instead, his eyes snap to mine.
“Is everything okay with Ms. Collins? You don’t need to give me anything, just go get to your lady.”
“Brielle’s fine. I’m just a very impatient man. Take this. Park her anywhere you can find a spot. Just let me know where she is,” I tell him, handing him the cash as I get out of the car. Someone behind me honks on their horn, but I ignore them.
Pete looks down at the cash again, then takes it and hops in my car. I don’t bother waiting to see where he goes before I head inside.
I pound on Brielle’s door, the sound louder than I expect. Feet scramble on the other side. A hard, deep voice calls through the door, “Who is it?”
I’d be concerned that she had a man in the apartment, if that sounded anything like an actual man’s voice. “Damian,” I chuckle.
“Oh, thank Christ.” The voice changes two octaves back to a normal speaking voice. Holly pulls the door open, a broom held tight in her grip.
She lets out a deep breath and points the broom handle at me like a lance. “You scared the shit out of us.”
“I’m sorry about that. Can I come in?”
“Boo, it’s just your man. You can come out now,” Holly yells, stepping aside to let me in.
Brielle pops her head out of her bedroom. A wide smile splits her face when she sees me. “I wasn’t hiding, just so you know,” she says. Her arms wrap around my shoulders, and I place a soft kiss to her lips.
“I’m sure.” I grin.
“It was Holly’s turn to protect us from bad guys. I’ve got the next one.”
“Bullshit,” Holly calls from the kitchen, a pint of ice cream in her hand. “You’re never even here.”
“Am I interrupting your girls’ night? I don’t need to stay. I just dropped Giana off and wanted to see you.”
She kisses me again, deeper and longer than before. “You’re not interrupting anything. I’m glad you’re here.”
“Yeah? You sure?” I ask, doubt creeping in.
Her brows furrow in question, confusion painted across her face.
“I’m taking this to my room. Have a good night, you two,” Holly says.
“Night, Hols.”
“Have a good night, Holly.”
