Page 173 of Back in the Saddle

Harlow got out but stood there and girlie waved into the car. “Later, guys.”

“I’m walking you up,” Javi stated, forcing her out of the doorway as he got out.

“I can walk up some stairs,” she told him.

“Woman. I. Am.Walking. You.Up,” Javi stated very clearly.

“All righty,” Harlow whispered, her head tipped way back so she could stare up at him.

She was at least a foot shorter than him, and I couldn’t see all of him, since head and shoulders were cut off from view by the car, but I still thought they looked cute together, which was again terrifying at the same time awesome.

“Later,” Luna and I called to get them moving along since we both sensed they could stand there all night, gazing at each other.

“Text when you’re safely in position,” Raye ordered. “We’re not leaving until we get it.”

“Gotcha,” Harlow replied.

Javi shut the door carefully, so it didn’t make a noise.

And we all sat and watched as they headed to the dark building, Javi with his hand at the small of her back, Harlow’s jaunty step making her ponytail sway side to side…yeah, like she was a grown-up cheerleader.

“He doesn’t know where they’re heading, why is he guiding her?” Luna grumbled.

“Because his other option is to morph into a complete caveman, throw her over his shoulder and take her to his lair in order to both save her from a man’s job of surveillance at the same time have his wicked way with her,” Raye answered sardonically.

I gave voice to my feelings. “They’re cute together, and terrifying at the same time.”

“I think they’re just cute,” Raye put in her vote.

“I think they’re terrifying,” Luna said. “Jess already lost her brother to this shadow crew. I don’t want Harlow needing to live off the grid or whatever.”

We all pondered that point until all of our phones vibrated with a text.

I looked at mine.

I’m in. Brady’s already here. Harlow.

Is Javi still there?Me.

He melted into the shadows when we caught sight of Brady and Knox. Harlow.

Rad. Raye.

Be sharp. Be smart.Luna.

Of course, silly. Obviously, Harlow.

Raye didn’t move and we all kept watching the warehouse, even though Harlow was in place.

I knew why we did it.

We were waiting to see if we could catch Javi leaving.

But he must have found some exit not on our side of the building, because either he was sticking around, or he’d escaped into the night sight unseen.

Eventually, Raye put the car in gear and did a circle in the parking lot, pointing us toward the city.

“You’re right. He’smuy guapo,” Raye stated.

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