Page 36 of Devious Truth

“Here.” Pushing the earring back in place, I find the latch at the back and secure it. “Don’t want to lose that.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” She grabs at her ear as soon as I step away. “I thought I had it latched right.”

“It’s fine.” I grab her hand and give it a light squeeze. “If you lose it, I’ll buy you another.”

“Please don’t. I was going to talk to you later, but since you’ve opened the window…the other things you bought, I can’t accept them. Even this dress…it’s too much.”

“Rule number one.” I lift a finger. “Don’t ever try to return a gift I send.”

“Rule number one?” Her eyebrows lift. “You’re giving me rules?”

“Of course. You wanted to keep this boss and employee tonight.” It’s meant to be a tease, but I miss my mark.

She straightens up and gives a curt nod. “Yes, that’s best.”

“Good. Then we understand each other. I’m the boss.”

Her lips part like she’s about to argue, but all she manages is, “Well, I mean…I suppose…”

“It’s going to be cold tonight; you’ll need a jacket.” I gently push past her into her apartment.

“The only one that goes well with this is a stole.” She picks up the black silk chiffon stole pooled next to a black clutch sitting on the end table by the door.

“It’s not enough, but it’s a short walk to the car.” I pull the material from her hands and drape it around her shoulders, inhaling the soft scent of her perfume.

“We should probably go, right?” She picks up her keys and the clutch.

I take the keys from her and look around the living room as I shut the door. “That cat’s not in here, is it?”

“No. Max took her home a little while ago.” Vivienne rubs the side of her neck as I lock the deadbolt.

I pocket her keys. Two men brush past us as we make our way to the stairs. I gently nudge Vivienne to go ahead of me, placing myself between her and them.

We’re already down one floor when the banging begins. Vivienne stops and looks up through the iron railings.

“Keep going.” I urge her while also looking up toward the floor we just left.

More banging.

“Yo! Max, open the door already!” More banging.

Flipping my jacket back, I put my hand on my gun.

“It’s all right.” Vivienne tugs on my free hand. “It’s just Max’s brother. It’s okay.”

“Does he always bang on the door like that?”

“It’s not a great relationship, but he won’t hurt her.” Her gaze lands on my gun and she frowns. “You can’t just point a gun at everyone.”

“Of course I can,” I say, sweeping my jacket over my holster.

“Well, you shouldn’t.”

“Men who hurt women don’t deserve anything less than a bullet.” I give a pointed look at her arm.

The bruise has faded away by now, but the memory of it is etched in my mind. And when I find out who put it there, they’re going to pay for it.

“You’d shoot someone to protect Max?” She tilts her head, looking confused. “Why? You don’t even know her.”

---