Page 38 of Armed ’N’ Ready

“He has zero sense of humor.” Kind of, although she was beginning to think he really did have one.

“That’s ridiculous.” Tess leaned against the railing. “He laughs all the time, and the bar is packed every night because of him. The women love him, and the guys dig him, so how stiff can he be?” She giggled. “Okay, perhaps not the best choice of words, but you know what I mean.”

Andi shook her head. “I can’t trust him. He’s twisting my life around to suit his needs.” Sound familiar? she reminded herself. Just like Steve had done.

Tess turned to face her. “Has he lied to you?”

“Well, no. At least not that I know of.” Andi watched a young woman in the dog run leash up her dog. “What’s with the Team Nick thing? I seem to recall you warning me to be careful of cops, him in particular.”

“I would never get involved with one.” Tess pointed to her chest then to Andi. “Doesn’t mean you can’t.”

Again, she shook her head, although even she had to admit her resolve was slipping. “He’s not my type. I need someone who likes music, and books, and who wouldn’t feel like a sissy going to a musical with me.”

“I give up.” Tess flung her hands in the air and went back inside the restaurant.

Andi took a minute to scan the deck for empties. Satisfied the waitresses hadn’t missed any, she joined Tess inside where she was standing at one end of the bar, grinning. Tess canted her head to where Nick was polishing off the last of his panini. On the bar next to his plate was an open book.

“Well, there ya go,” she said. “Cops can read. Looks like you can put a check mark next to at least one of your criteria.” She smiled smugly and walked into the kitchen.

He closed the book, tucking it under his arm, then picked up his plate and headed in her direction. “What?” His eyes narrowed suspiciously.

She pointed to the book—The Count of Monte Cristo—unable to hide the look of surprise on her face. “It’s a book.”

His mouth twisted, and not for the first time she noted the contrast between the hard, masculine features of his face and those soft lips that he’d pressed to her forehead. “I can read, you know.”

“The Count of Monte Cristo?” She smiled. “I figured you’d read cop books, or books about federal agents and spies.”

“I always wanted a sword,” he said with a straight face.

She huffed. “You men and your phallic symbols.”

He chuckled, a rich sound that sent tingles dancing up her spine.

Tess let out a low whistle from where she now stood at the kitchen doorway. “Who. Is. That?”

Eric stood just inside the front door. His gaze locked with Nick’s. If Eric’s presence hadn’t been enough to have her tensing with worry, the man standing next to him was. FBI Special Agent Cox.

Her heart sank. Something about the expression on Cox’s face could only mean one thing… Bad news.

…

Feds working on a Saturday night?

Only if bad shit was going down that couldn’t wait until Monday.

Nick set his book and empty plate on the ledge beneath the bar.

Andi grabbed his arm, her fingers cool against his skin. “Something’s wrong, isn’t it?” She glanced to where Eric and Cox were seating themselves at the other side of the bar.

He looked into her worried eyes. Lying to her was something he couldn’t do. “Probably.”

“Then I want to be part of this conversation.” She started past him.

“Wait.” He stretched out an arm, stopping her.

Anger flashed in her eyes. “Anything about this concerns me, too.”

“Be patient. I need to speak with them first. Alone.” Mainly because of the text message he’d received earlier in the day from Eric.