NINETEEN
Brad didn’t trust Tomas far as he could spit on him. Which was why Brad decided to hang around Breanna’s apartment and wait for the jerk to come to her place.
Dressed in dirty-white coveralls and brown hiker-boots, and a white ball cap pulled low on his forehead, Brad stood by Tyger’s neighbor’s apartment as he pretended to be working on their window. He’d previously gotten permission from the landlord to do this, mainly because the neighbors were on vacation. Pat had never liked Tom, which made it easy for Brad to ask her if he could spy on them. Of course, he had to tolerate the way the older woman ran the palm of her hand up and down Brad’s chest as she stood too close to him, batting her fake eyelashes and puckering her neon-red pouty lips. But thankfully, he wasn’t in her presence for very long. That woman scared him!
His cell vibrated in his pocket, and he quickly withdrew it and glanced at caller ID. It was his father.
“Hey,” Brad said quietly as he answered.
“How are you and Breanna doing today?”
“So far we’re good. Thanks for asking.”
“I’m glad.” His father released a heavy sigh. “The police just finished questioning Howard, and our warehouse manager denies having anything to do with last night’s attempted robbery.”
“Do you believe him?” Brad asked.
“Yes. I’ve known Howard for years, and I can’t see him stealing from the magazine.”
Brad adjusted his ball cap on his head. “So are you saying it could be someone else?”
“That’s what I’m thinking.”
“Did you look at the security camera’s footage?”
“Yes, and all it showed was the three guys from last night.”
Brad released an agitated sigh. “Don’t worry Dad. We’ll catch him.”
“I sure hope so. But you and Breanna just rest today.”
“We will, Dad. Talk to you later.”
He clicked off his phone and slipped it back into his pocket.
Brad fidgeted back and forth, pretending to be working on the window, but his mind was on Breanna. What was she doing inside her apartment, and would she come outside and notice him?
He’d only been standing out there for about a half hour when a truck pulled into the parking lot and stopped next to Tyger’s car. Loud music boomed from the truck, but it still wasn’t loud enough to cover up the roar of his bad muffler. The driver killed the engine and climbed out. He carried a bouquet of wilted flowers in his hand.
Brad gnashed his teeth. This must be Tom. The idiot looked pompous enough. His middle section was slightly flabby, and when he walked, his shoulders hunched. He dressed in what looked to be new jeans and an ugly shirt that also looked new. As the man passed Brad, his gaze dropped to the gold Rolex on his wrist.
Seriously? The man could afford a Rolex but couldn’t buy Tyger fresher flowers? What an idiot!
Tom glanced at Brad, so he gave him a sharp nod and pretended to return to working on the window. Tom continued to Tyger’s front door and knocked.
When the door opened, Brad peeked at Tyger. His heart broke. It was obvious by her strained smile and pale face that she wasn’t happy to see her ex-boyfriend. Brad now realized how important it was to spy on her during this meeting. She’d told him that she could handle it, but now after seeing Tom in person, Brad was grateful he went with his first instincts with trying to protect her.
“Tom,” she exclaimed. “What are you doing here so early?”
“I told you I was coming.”
“Yes, but... it’s still morning.”
Tom shrugged. “Close enough.”
Brad rolled his eyes and mumbled,idiotagain.
