Page 38 of Tequila Tuesdays

I started methodically unpacking it and he grabbed some drinks and plates from the breakroom. I noticed he had nice hands and a quick, efficient way about him. Then I reminded myself again to keep my thoughts contained.

He’d brushed off the hostess at the restaurant on Jonathan’s birthday, and she’d been beautiful and perfectly made-up. I was not beautiful, and I needed his help.

We spent the next two hours eating lunch and going through the case, which included Shanda’s social media accounts, her subpar home life, and her current situation. Damien studied the only photo I had of Shanda.

“She looks so young.”

“Sheisyoung. She’s barely eighteen, and Jason is thirty-two. He has just enough good looks and fake charm to fool young women like her into falling for him.”

I thought about my last conversation with Shanda. “I already told you she warned me about him. She said he knows bad people.”

Damien looked down at Shanda’s photo again and thought for a moment. “Didn’t you say she has some kind of license?”

“Yeah. Her stepdad called it a CBD license.” I snickered. “But Shanda’s mom clarified it’s a CNA license. They have a program at her high school.”

He raised an eyebrow. “That’s not bad for an eighteen-year-old with a shitty home life. Did her mother say whether she planned to use it to get a job?”

“No. She didn’t seem concerned about Shanda being gone either. And she knows her husband is using, but she still leaves the two-year-old alone with him for hours.”

He shook his head in disgust then leaned back and studied me. “Does your office complex have security cameras or an alarm system?”

I absently rubbed my cheek. “I don’t think so. We’re in the back of a two-story complex on North Palm Canyon Drive. We didn’t put any in, and I haven’t noticed any cameras. Sariah does mostly real estate law, and Yun is a commercial contracts attorney. Security didn’t cross our minds.”

He shook his head. “I don’t see those two having clients or business associates who’d be a potential danger.”

“I don’t either.”

“Butyoudo criminal defense work. I’m sure you know sometimes attorneys become targets.”

I sighed because I knew where he was going. “What’re you suggesting?”

“You need cameras and some type of security system. At home and at your work.”

It sounded involved and expensive. “Damien, I really don’t think it’s necessary. There’s never been a problem before.”

“Humor me, Legs. It would be great if you never needed it. I have time tomorrow.” He paused as if weighing his words. “Shanda’s stepfather probably told Jason you’re looking for Shanda. I’m sure Jason’s looking for her too. And it’s probable he’s watching you to see if you find her.”

“I doubt he’s that organized.”

Damien laid his hand on my forearm. “Harley, if Dickie’s right about Jason being a major dealer now and Shanda’s right about him being unhinged, we need to do this.”

Lunch suddenly felt heavy in my stomach. “Okay. You’re right. An ounce of prevention and all that. I’ll pay you. Just send me the bill.” I cringed inside a little.

“How about you pay my cost for the equipment and owe me another favor for the installation?”

I smiled. “Deal. And thank you.”

He looked at my mouth for a few seconds, then slowly grinned.

On Sunday, noon came and went. When I didn’t hear from Damien, I assumed he’d either forgotten or gotten sidetracked. But when my doorbell rang around three and I looked through the peephole, he was standing on my porch checking out my neighborhood.

He wore aviator glasses, and his hands rested on his hips. I swallowed a little and took a deep breath. A fit, muscular body was on my short list of favorite things. Damien definitely had one. And then there was the dimple.

Gary looked up at me, probably wondering why I was just standing there staring through the peephole. “What? I can look,” I murmured.

Stepping back, I opened the door. “Hey. I didn’t know if you still planned to come today.” My short blue swimsuit coverup was opaque, but it hung off one shoulder, showing my bikini strap underneath.

Damien eyed me. “One of our security systems at a home in Big Horn went down this morning. Turns out the owner’s daughter didn’t want her dad spying on her and her friends all weekend, so she took it offline.”

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