Page 102 of Silent Comrade
“Are you sure, because you kind of sucked atother stuff you said you could do.”
His mouth closed with a clunk and his voicecame out as a hard whisper. “Yes.”
The shaky breath seared her windpipe. “Aftermy project is finished, I’ll go hide until you’ve finished whateveryou need to do. For a while. I can’t put my whole life on hold forthis insanity. But out of respect for Kiera’s life and Brady’smemory, I’ll lay low so you can take out Lequire and his shittycompany.”
“Then…?”
“Then I never want to see any of you peopleagain.”
Chapter Forty-Four
Later that Tuesday morning, Britt woke upfrom what she loosely termed “sleep.” More like tossing, turning,and counting dots of streetlights cast on the ceiling.
As she padded in her shorts and sleept-shirt to the bathroom, she froze. A man sat on the couch. Shebacked against the door, chest heaving. This roller coaster of fearneeded to stop.
The Latino guy smiled, dimples forming asthick, dark brows lifted to meet a sweep of dark-brown hair thatfell over his forehead. With two tanned hands held up in the air,he stood up slowly. He was several inches shorter than Red andRodeo, which was to say, still tall. He was powerfully built anddue to a few lines on his face he appeared a few years older thanRed. “Don’t shoot. I’m a good guy.”
She snorted. “If you’re related to Red, thenI’ll believe the ‘good’ part when I see it.”
The guy tilted his head. “Ooh,michicka, has Red beenestupidoagain?”
Couldn’t help it. A giggle erupted, and shecouldn’t stop it.
He took a few steps toward her, beefy handoutstretched. “I’m Gonzo. I’m a good guy.”
“You said that already.”
“Ah, it didn’t seem like you heard me thefirst time.” He dropped his empty hand.
“Hmmph.” She looked around. “Where’s Tachi?Why are you here?”
“Loca bonitais still sleeping.” Hewhistled low. “Though she yelled at the boys yesterday, and nowRodeo’s too scared to come back here, so I pulled on-site securityduty.Caramba, but did she give Red and Rodeo an earful lastnight. That woman, she’s fabulous but scary.”
“To who? You people?”
“Never seen Rodeo shake in his boots likethat. But not me. I’m cool under pressure with the ladies.” Gonzobuffed his nails on his shirt. “My opinion? It’s good for Rodeo toget taken down a notch or two. Take stock. Read a self-help book tolearn more about his mistakes. Personal growth. That kind ofjunk.”
Despite herself, Britt smiled. The actionfelt good on the tight muscles of her face that moved like nearlydry clay shifting. “So, you’re here to…?”
Gonzo leaned against the back of the couchand crossed his thick-soled boots at the ankles. “The big questionis, how much of my amazing fashion expertise and skills do you wantme to contribute to finish your project?”
“You’re into fashion?”
“Surprised?” He pressed a finger to hislips. “Don’t you dare tell anyone, but I am exceptional in everyway but especially in the fashion department. I outfitted yoursister with the best pregnancy outfits that the Sylva, NorthCarolina, big box store had to offer. Don’t even get me startedwith your niece. That littlechickitais the mostfashion-forward two-week-old the world has ever known.” He glancedback over one shoulder then the other and dropped his voice to awhisper. “My vision for her style motif was ‘Smokies sunrise,’ andthat child is the cutest child in the universe, dressed all inpastels and lace, thanks to my eye for 0-3-month-sizedfashion.”
After her jaw hit the floor, another laughburst out of her. “Oh my gosh,” she said. “You’re hired. I needhelp. We have less than three days to outfit a bunch of models andI’m still sewing outfits. I’ve needed a decent shopper to get oddsand ends. Red’s useless.” She gulped against the lump as her eyesburned. She blinked hard.
A hard glint formed from within a narrowedgaze, then he flipped back to a dimpled smile. “Of course he’suseless. He’s not Gonzo.” His easy manner relaxed her. He shooedher with his hands. “Now go do whatever womanly things are requiredto begin your day. You are going to take the fashion world bystorm, come Friday.”
Britt nearly skipped to the bathroom. Forthe first time in a long time, she felt a new emotion: hope.
Chapter Forty-Five
As much as Red wanted to stop hurting Brittby staying away from her, he couldn’t stay away. Student Al hadclasses to attend Tuesday. With Britt.
She stared straight ahead as they walked upthe stairs to the classroom. The rigid set of her back didn’t freakhim out nearly as much as her utter silence. This woman wasplotting.
If she was smart, she’d stay far away fromhim. If he was smart, he’d help her meet that goal very soon.
