Page 35 of Clashing
“Sure.” I nodded. “Not too early, though.”
“I’ve known you long enough to realize you’re not a morning person.” He chuckled and circled the bar, then pulled me into an embrace and lowered his lips to my head. “You know I love you, don’t you?”
“I know.” I squeezed him tight. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“All right, honey. Sleep good.” He nodded to Ryker. “See you, Ryker.”
“See you, Danny.”
Dan disappeared around the corner, and I turned my attention to the register. Prickling on the nape of my neck alerted me to Ryker’s relentless stare.
I tore my eyes away from the register. “What?”
“You know what. I don’t appreciate you lying to me.”
“What does it matter to you?”
The glower on his face would become permanent if he wasn’t careful. “Next time he bothers you, tell me.”
“Or what?” I scoffed.
“Don’t fuck with me, Scarlett. Next time he bothers you, tell me.”
“You’re being ridiculous. He lives hours away. He’s not motivated enough to come all the way here.”
“Never underestimate assholes like that, Scarlett. They don’t know boundaries.”
The sarcastic retort I had planned died on my lips at the frown marring his face.He’s actually worried.Pissed, but concerned. “It’s fine. Seriously. Don’t worry about it.”
“Promise me you’ll tell me if he bothers you again.”
“What are you going to do if he does? He doesn’t live here.”
“Trust me, baby. You don’t wanna know.” A humorless smile replaced the glower. “State lines have never stopped me, and they’re not about to start, so don’t you dare keep it from me if he bothers you.”
His predatory look elicited a gulp. Tammy had informed me that Ryker bounty hunted for a living. When I first moved here, I was concerned about Dan’s reaction to Todd but Dan was getting older and, with his knees, could only do so much if Todd showed up.
Ryker, on the other hand . . . That dark smile? Yeah, I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end. Curiosity mingled with trepidation. What lengths would he go to if Todd contacted me again?
Chapter eleven
Keeping Tabs
Ryker
Thesunbeatdownhot enough to melt the walls. Heat waves radiated in the distance, and businesses advertised air conditioning inside. I almost took up the offer of the store I slouched against for ice-cold lemonade. I cursed myself for wearing a black T-shirt that enhanced the already unbearable heat. Sweat dripped down my neck, and I checked my watch.
Any minute now.
I ran my hand through my hair, annoyed the action coated it in sweat. I fucking hated summer. A little bell dinged, alerting me that someone had exited the shop. I glanced to the right and found it wasn’t my hit. It was a woman.
Normally, she’d be my type. Curves, a bright smile, and pretty eyes. Except she did nothing for me. Not even when she batted her eyelashes. Scarlett never batted her eyes at me. Scarlett’s eyes were easier to get lost in.
Annoyed, I tore my gaze away and clenched and unclenched my fist. One look at a girl, and my thoughts ran back to Scarlett. She had no right to occupy so much space in my head, but I couldn’t get her off my mind.
The bell dinged again, and out shuffled an elderly woman. Her walker scraped the ground as she hobbled to the traffic light, hitting the button to cross. Any other day, I’d offer to help her, but I couldn’t leave my post.
Another ding, and the door swung open. This time, a shaggy-haired asshole stepped out, a Danish pinched in his teeth, a coffee in one hand, and his phone in the other. Bafflingly, my bounties either seemed to be drastically unaware of how easy they were to find or went to incredible lengths to keep themselves hidden. There was no in between. This guy was plain stupid.
