I nod. Being with a sex worker is not my thing, but it’s fine on its own. Except not the way Chad Smith does it, which is drunk and full of rage. I lift a hand to get the bartender’s attention and hold up two fingers.
Noah gives me a pointed look and pushes his glasses up his nose. I choose to wear contacts during the day, but Noah’s never taken to them. “I don’t know if he’s still dating that high school girl, if you can call it dating. But the girl he was with last night looked really young.”
“If it works out, fine.” I nod. “But we’re herefor the fight club.”
Last night, we followed Smith to a poorly lit area known to have sex workers. He found one, and instead of taking her to a hotel, he pulled her into an alley and fucked her against a wall. I was ready to step in to make sure he didn’t hurt her, but Noah stopped me. He agreed that we’d help if things went too far, but we’d blow our cover. I couldn’t watch. Smith was so rough, his face filled with focused fury, like it was all her fault, everything and anything he could think of. I wanted to beat the shit out of him.
I can’t imagine treating a woman that way. I don’t care what his kink is, he needs full consent to get rough before it happens, complete with safe words and clear agreed-upon boundaries. Something tells me he didn’t have any of that. How can a man feel so comfortable spreading his hate? Taking it out physically on women and girls?
“Got it.” Noah presses his lips together in a grim line. Since his recent breakup, Noah’s had way too much time on his hands. And as it’s winter, he doesn’t have an active renovation project going on, so he’s just getting himself into trouble researching targets all alone in his cabin. I’ve been stopping by more and badgering him to come over and taste pies.
He was too sloppy in Florida. We need to be way more careful.
The bartender slides two fresh bottles of beer our way. I glance down at my phone, the tracking app open on the screen. I know exactly where Callie is, but I’m giving her a chance to come to me before I go hunt her down. Not in a creepy way, but I’m not letting her walk into that fight club alone.
I’ve been riding a high all week from the other night. It was the best time I’ve had in years. I had fun. I was myself. And she seemed comfortable with me. Fuck, the image of hercurled up on my couch with her legs tucked under her and her hands wrapped around a steaming mug of tea? I could get used to that.
She might not know it, but she’s got a full-time bodyguard in me. For now.
“You have a problem, don’t you?” Noah’s voice pulls me out of my head.
“Huh?”
“That woman.” He nods at my phone. “I truly cannot understand why you’re bringing her tonight.”
“She wanted to come. She has a right to know what’s going on with her husband.”
“Absolutely. But it’s your job is to find out where he is and literally hand her, like, a Post-It with the address and other details. That’s it. Her coming along is going to be a major distraction.” Noah shakes his head, then narrows his eyes. “Don’t lose your mind because you found the one woman who doesn’t run screaming when you zip-tie her. It’s not true love. You understand that, right?”
“It’s not? Are you sure?” When his jaw drops, I laugh and wave my hand. Noah and I have zero filter with each other. “Just kidding. I swear.”
“But you like her too much.”
It’s pointless to lie to Noah. He’ll see right through me, especially as he’ll witness Callie and I interact tonight. I’m pretty sure I can’t keep my shit together around her. He’ll recognize that right away. My brother is a true romantic at heart, and this is him taking it out on me that the last girlfriend didn’t work out.
“Maybe.” I stare at the back of the bar, my eyes scanning the bottles of liquor, hoping he changes the subject.
“Wes.” Noah groans. “How bad is it?”
He knows I get obsessive. He knows I have a thing withlightly stalking women I like. He’s got no idea how bad it is this time, though. I’m not sure I even understand it.
“Bad?” I say, and Noah sighs deeply, shifting on the bar stool next to me. A new text pulls down above the map on my phone.
Callie
almost there
Me
I know
Callie
has anyone ever told you that you are too controlling
Me
yes
