“Besides soccer, I like to read cozy mysteries, I’m a pretty good cook, and I’m addicted to period TV.”
“Period TV?” she asked in confusion.
“LikeBridgertonandThe Gilded Age,”I explained. “I love to do yoga, and I share your love of running. In fact, I usually go for a run every morning. We should go together tomorrow, if you’re up for that.”
“We’ll figure out when it’s safe to go,” she said, prevaricating.
I tried not to bristle at the idea of my activities being impacted by this whole situation. I wanted to be safe, but I also didn’t want to have to ask for permission to go for a run.
Suddenly Cassie stiffened. She pulled a compact out of her pocket, angling it in front of her face. For some reason I didn’t think she was checking her lipstick, especially because she didn’t appear to be wearing any.
“What is it?” I whispered.
“We’ve got an audience,” she said. “Let’s go back to your place. The team will have set up the new security by now.”
“Sounds good.”
I should have felt nervous, but for some reason, knowing someone was watching us didn’t have as much of an impact – probably because I had full faith in my bodyguard to protect me.
We tossed out trash and then Cassie took my hand. I looked at her in surprise, but her eyes were moving back and forth, watching the restaurant.
“Pretend you’re into me,” she said softly.
As if I had to pretend. She was hot as hell, and in case I had any doubts, the little currents of electricity running up my arm from us holding hands made it clear that there was a strong attraction there. At least on my side.
We walked out to the car, striving to be casual. Cassie opened my door for me, then waited for me to be safely inside the vehicle before she strode over to her side and got in. As soon as her door closed, she clicked the locks.
She pressed a button on the steering wheel, activating the hands free function as she slowly backed out of our parking space.
“Hey Cassie.”
“Wanda, I’m with the client and we have an audience. He’s standing across the street from the Chipotle outside the mall.”
“I love Chipotle.”
“Everyone does,” Cassie said impatiently. “He’s about five ten, skinny, likely male, wearing a Mariners hat and ripped jeans.”
I followed Cassie’s gaze to see a guy who looked like he was hanging out playing on his phone. Nothing about him seemed suspicious, but I was sure Cassie knew what she was doing.
“I’ve got him on the feed,” Wanda said a few second later.
“Security cameras,” Cassie said, sensing my question even though her eyes were bouncing between the guy and the road. “I’m taking Ruby home now.”
“Sounds good,” Wanda said. “I’ll track him as far as I can then run facial recognition to see if anything comes up.”
“Thanks.” Cassie disconnected the call.
“How did you notice that guy?” I finally asked. “If I saw him, I would have seen a guy playing on his phone.”
“It’s part instinct, like the feeling someone was watching us, part seeing him loitering there for way too long to be waiting for someone, and partly the way that every time he looked up, his gaze lasered in on you and only you before he looked away.”
I shivered. “Do you think he’s the stalker?”
Cassie shook her head. “He’s likely paid help. With the way that threats are happening in different cities, it seems likely there is more than one person involved.”
“I should warn Eleanor,” I said. “Tell her to be on the lookout for anything suspicious.”
“Good idea,” Cassie said but she sounded kind of thoughtful. Whatever was on her mind, she didn’t share.
