Page 8 of Ace

When I heard the click of the bathroom door closing behind her, I sent a quick text off to my second-in-command, Rattler, outlining the situation.

He replied immediately that he’d get back to me when he had something to report.Typical.A man of few words, Rattler was all action.If he said he’d do something, he did it.

I could hear the sound of the water being turned on, followed by splashing.When Emma emerged, she’d washed off her makeup and combed her thick mane of red hair into some semblance of order.She came back into the room and took a seat on the lounger across from me.

“I can’t go home.They know who I am, or they will shortly.I told you the one guy recognized me from the bar, and if that doesn’t clinch it, I lost my phone in the park.If they have that, they’re going to know everything about me.”Her eyes went wide.“They could know about you.”

“How so?”

She toyed with hem of her shirt.“I have pictures on the phone.Some still on there from when I was dating your brother.You might be in some of them.From holidays, and you know, goofing around.”

Damn.That made it tough.Not that I was afraid of some shit-assed murderer, but if they made me as the Prez of Riptide, then they’d know where to come looking for her.Hell, they could probably look my address up on the web.They’d have this place and the clubhouse.

“You’re staying here tonight.”I made it a statement.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.I didn’t think before I ran over here.”

“It was a good plan.I have a spare room you can use.I’m not about to jump you, or any shit like that.”

She frowned.“I didn’t think you were.It’s just… I’ve put you in danger and that’s not fair.”

I had to grin at that.“Life’s not fair.I thought we all learned that back in the ‘hood.”

“Yeah.”A faint smile lifted the corner of her mouth.“I guess we did.”

I had to ask.“You still stuck on my kid brother?Is that the issue?”

She let out a derisive snort.“Hardly.We were never more than buddies, really.Being with him kept the bad asses in the school from bugging me and gave him an excuse when he needed one.”

“Excuse?”

“Like, he couldn’t possibly have broken that window, officer.He was with me all night.”She batted her eyelashes in a poor imitation of afemme fatale.

“So, you lied for him?”

She nodded.“Not like he was dealing drugs or anything.Just pranks.”

“You guys weren’t…?”I wasn’t sure how to ask if they’d been fucking around without sounding like a jealous old geezer.

She giggled.“Hooking up hot and heavy?Nah.He wasn’t my type, really.”

It took me a minute to digest that information.“Not your type?”

She shook her head.“He was a screw-up.I loved him like a brother, but that’s it.I didn’t need that kind of trouble.”

I wasn’t sure if I should be mad or insulted or relieved.At least I wasn’t lusting after my little brother’s leftovers, which made how I was feeling a whole lot less creepy.“Well, you haven’t been with anyone else since, or so the local grapevine says.I was under the impression you were heartbroken when he joined the Army and left you behind.”

She shrugged.“I can’t help what people think, and in a way, it worked to my advantage.I want to get a degree, get a decent job, and get the hell out of here.I don’t have time for all the drama that comes with a boyfriend.”

She managed a faint smile.“Sorry.Nothing against Justin.We had fun, but it’s not like I was wildly in love with him, and he was fine with that.He left.I moved on, and I imagine he did too.Still in the Army, isn’t he?”

“He is.Says he’s found his place in life.”

Emma yawned, then winced, her hand going to her side.The freezing Joker put in was probably wearing off.Time to pack her off to bed for the night.Sadly, it wouldn’t be my bed.

“The spare bedroom is at the end of the hallway.It has its own bathroom so you can take a shower without worrying I might come in without thinking.I don’t happen to have any lingerie you can borrow, but you can have one of my T-shirts to sleep in.”I eyed up her diminutive frame.“Should come down to about your knees.In the morning I’ll have a couple of the prospects go over to your place and get you some things.”

That elusive smile reappeared.“I take it there isn’t anyone who’s going to take issue with me wearing your clothes?I don’t think I have the energy to fight off a jealous girlfriend.”

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