“Only packed enough for a day or two. I’ll stop back by later.”
“Yeah, cool,” I said, walking to the door. “You hungry? I need to eat before going to Cole’s. He eats rabbit food. I need meat.”
The twinkle in Phantom’s eyes was hard to miss, but he didn’t comment on my statement. “I could eat. Meat sounds good.”
I snorted. “Good. I need a burger or a sub. Let’s pick something up on the way to my place.”
“I think you meanourplace now,” he teased as we walked out into the hallway.
“No,” I scoffed. “Thisis your place.” I motioned toward the door behind him.
Phantom grinned. “Whatever you say, Rockstar.”
His warm hand found its place on the small of my back, making my pulse speed up again. It reacted to him like someone learning to drive a stick shift—speed up, then slow down, only to speed up again.
That shit was gonna have to stop.
As much as I liked him, I refused to fall for him. There was no fucking way I’d ever allow myself to get romantically involved with Michael Coleman, no matter how fucking hot he was or what he did to my pulse.
CHAPTER4
MICHAEL
TeasingAdam was fun as hell, but if GQ could see me, he’d threaten to fire me for the millionth time. But I was having a hard time treating Adam like a job. I liked him too much for that.
He was already apprehensive about this, and if I jumped in with my normally domineering way, he might push back. And I didn’t want that.
“So, what’s the story behind your call sign?” he asked as we waited at the drive-through window of the sandwich shop we’d stopped at. If what we’d ordered indicated how this was going to go, I might need to be concerned.
After ordering his double Philly Cheesesteak with extra cheese, mayo, and no veggies, I glanced over at him and held up one finger for him to wait while I ordered a turkey breast with avocado and all the vegetables on whole wheat.
I answered his question, ignoring the horrified look on his face at what I’d ordered. “My buddies gave it to me. Let’s just say I scared them a time or two, and I had a knack for finding things people tried to hide for whatever reason. “
Adam sized me up as we waited for our food. “Do you have a degree in cyber-sleuthing or something?”
I chuckled. “Not exactly, but I’ve had some training.”
“Is doing this kind of thing what you want to do with your life?”
I smiled and looked at him. “For now. I’ve applied for some federal jobs, but nothing has come my way so far.”
Adam frowned. “I thought you’d never leave your friends.”
“I won’t. They’ll always be my brothers, no matter where I am.”
I pulled up to the window and handed the smiling girl my card. “Here ya go, darlin’.”
Adam went to retrieve his wallet, but I waved him off. “Business expense.”
I watched as she gathered our food and put it in the bag.
“Would you like one of our loyalty cards? You can get a free item if you come back enough,” she asked, smiling at me.
“Why yes, please,” I replied, returning her smile.
I watched as she added napkins to the bag before handing it to me. I then handed it to Adam, who sat there with his head cocked to one side, looking at me.
I smirked and turned my attention back to the girl in the window.
