Page 68 of Dark Endures

“So, you eat and play games almost every night with all your female employees.”

No. It’s not like that.

And now I’m lying to myself. It’s exactly like that. I’m dating Mindy without ever having asked her out. She’s moving in with this pretty boy. They’ll probably be officially dating in the next few months.

I missed my chance with her.

“Okay, whatever that look is, I don’t like it. Are you giving up before you even started? Because if you are, I'm going to get Axe to switch assignments with me.”

“Canyon.” His name comes out hard.

“What? Mindy might be good for him. And he’d get her problems sorted like that.” Canyon snaps his fingers.

Would it be wrong to shoot him to get him to shut up? “Chill. I get it.”

“You sure? Because you looked pretty pathetic there for a second.”

He’s not wrong. “We should go to the gym after this.”

“Not happening. There’s no way. I don’t need any bruises for helping a brother.” He grins.

Help quieter. Like that will ever happen. Canyon is the nosiest of the bunch.

“Are you sure you got the address, right?”

How could I get it wrong? It’s on the top of her resume and half of her employment paperwork. “It’s right.”

“No way. She can’t be living in this area.”

Huh? I look at the road around us. Usually, I have more situational awareness. There’s a drug deal going on in full view of the street. They aren’t even trying to hide it. “Why is she living here?”

“That’s my question. You cheaping out on her?”

Really? I don’t even bother answering him. “She works two full-time jobs. Surely, she can afford something better than this.” Safer than this.

“Maybe the boss was just concerned about her.”

Why wasn’t I more concerned? I should have immediately gotten her out of here. There are a lot of things I should have done. First, I need to find out what kind of competition this pretty boy is going to be.

Next, I need to find her a new boss. Someone who isn’t me.

We stop at the shabbiest building on the street. Which isn’t saying much, because they’re all pretty rundown. “She lives here.”

“Don’t beat yourself up about it. She’s safe.” Canyon nods towards the door where she’s stepping out.

Mindy, in overalls and a peasant blouse, is about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. What is it about that loose bun of hers that makes me want to shove my fingers in it and make it even messier? Is it as soft as it looks?

“You know she can see you drooling over there.”

Idiot. I shove Canyon.

“What? I’m just trying to be a good wingman?”

Some wingman. “Don’t need one.”

“Then you better get it together fast.” Canyon jumps out of the truck.

Mindy smiles and waves.

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