The human female made her way across the platform, heading for the stairs that brought her to street level. Drake lagged behind, not wanting to draw her attention.
The two suits from before tumbled out of the train just before it took off from the station. Drake’s body shot through with adrenaline. The one who had touched Jamie was talking rapidly to his companion who was shaking his head. Another moment of furious conversation and his companion seemed to relent, then followed the man as he headed to the stairs.
Drake could just see the top of Jamie’s fire-kissed head as she made her way up the stairs. He quickened his pace until he was a few steps behind the businessmen, close enough to hear their conversation.
“Trust me; she’s game. She just needs a little persuasion. You know how chicks always play hard to get.”
The man’s friend turned his head, allowing Drake to catch sight of the skeptical look on his face. “One drink, Chuck. Then I have to head back to the train. Marsha will have my guts for garters if I’m late for dinner again.”
“Marsha, Marsha, Marsha,” Chuck muttered. “I don’t know how you can stand that woman, Jim. When are you going to divorce her and find a pretty young piece like that one?”
When Chuck nodded his head in Jamie’s direction, Drake had to restrain himself from popping the bastard’s eyes out with his thumbs.
By the next block, they'd caught up with their quarry. Drake took a position behind the corner of a nearby brownstone, his muscles tight, his body screaming for action that he was forced to restrain.
"Miss," Chuck said, pulling a folded newspaper from his shoulder bag and breaking into a jog. "You forgot this on the train."
Jamie turned, confusion painting her pretty face. "Pardon?"
Chuck came to a stop in front of her and waved the newspaper under her nose. "This. You left it on the seat. I thought it might be important, so we tracked you down."
Jamie's eyes widened. "That's not mine."
The businessman laughed. "Well isn't this a pickle!" He dropped the newspaper to the ground and held out his hand. "I didn't have a chance to introduce myself earlier. I'm Charles." He extended a hand, then slapped his partner on the back. "And this is Jim."
Jim nodded, his smile small and his face saying he didn't exactly want to be part of this transparent pretense at a genuine meeting.
"Nice to meet you," Jamie said after a beat, finally taking Chuck's hand.
It was a mistake. Once he had her hand in his, the businessman was loath to let it go. "What's your name?" he asked, his toothy smile making Drake's insides clench with an emotion he was hesitant to put a name to.
"Jamie." Her eyes darted back and forth between the men, and she took a step backward, but Chuck held her hand prisoner.
"Now that we're all friends let's have a drink. I know a place a few blocks from here that makes a mean dirty martini."
"No thanks," Jamie said. "I have to get home and make dinner for my husband and kids."
Drake knew it was a lie but inwardly applauded her attempt to defuse the situation.
"Husband and kids, huh?" Chuck said, pulling her hand up closer to his face. "Funny, I don't see a ring on your finger."
Jamie gave a tug on her hand, but Chuck kept hold of her wrist. "I don't like to wear my ring when I ride the train. It could be stolen."
Chuck laughed. "Cute. Look, honey, we both know you're not married, a hot young thing like you. Why don't you drop the act and join us for a drink?"
"Let go of me." Jamie tugged again, this time hard enough to nearly stumble backward.
The businessman laughed, and the sound set off something in Drake's brain. Something terrible.
Something that wanted vengeance drenched in blood.
Before he realized it, he was striding towards the fracas, his fists balled in rage.
Jim hadn't even had a chance to realize someone was behind him before Drake had him in a headlock and began dragging him backward.
