Page 13 of A Touch of Frost
“Of course, I knew.” Kandi frowned. “Who do you think they called first?”
“What did you tell them?”
Kandi frowned. “What do you think I told them? And why didn’t you tell me you were here?”
“I didn’t tell anyone I was here.” I sighed and rubbed my eyes.
“Please tell me you’re not considering whatever it is they’re asking you to do.” Kandi sounded tired. “Youcannotseriously think walking back into that world will end any better than the first time.”
“This doctor is innocent, Tink.” I told her. “It’ll sit on my mind if I don’t at least hear them out.”
Kandi sighed, stood, and walked over to move a large painting out of the way. She set it on the floor and hunched down to open a safe. Once done, she pulled out two Glocks and set them on the center table in front of me.
“Tink…”
“You’re going to need all the firepower you can get.” She interrupted me. “I know you. And meeting with them means you’ve already made up your mind—you just haven’t admitted it to yourself yet.”
Kandi went back to the safe and came back with back up cartridges for the weapon.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t think me yet.” Kandi muttered. “I don’t like that you’re doing this. I don’t trust any of them. But if you need my help…”
I nodded while reaching for one of the guns to check it.
“Are you still in love with him?” Kandi asked, placing a holster on the table.
“That ship’s sailed.”
“That didn’t answer my question.” Kandi pushed.
“I have love for him.” I admitted. “But I’m not in love with him. For a long time, I felt betrayed by his silence. And that kind of cured me of the stupidity of giving that man any part of me.”
“But you still have that weakness.” She pushed. “Be honest—what if they’d sent Benny, or Wolf, or Dude—would you be this willing to help?”
“Maybe not.” I shrugged. “They know the only two people to send would have been Tex or Mozart—mostly Mo.”
Kandi nodded. “Do you need cash?”
I smiled. “No, I’m good for cash.”
Standing, I strapped the holster around my hips and shoved one gun into the holster. The other weapon, I pushed into the back of my pants and pulled my coat around and over it. “Thanks for doing this, Tink.”
“Sure. Watch your six.”
I leaned in to kiss the side of her head.
Kandi watched me from the front door as I made my way across the lawn and climbed back into my car. As I sped away, her questions kept floating through my head. I did still have a soft spot for Mozart. But no matter what I feel for him or how desperate those feelings were, I knew there was no going back.
I didn’t have to go inside when I arrived. I merely caught his attention and had him follow me to a place where I could be sure I would be safe.
“I keep thinking of how hard it was to get a hold of you.” Mozart’s voice was soft. as he walked to where I was lounging on the hood of my sports car.
I allowed my eyes to roam Mozart’s body.
I didn’t hide the fact I was staring at him—from the tips of his combat boots to his handsome face. He still looked good enough to eat.
But I wasn’t the type to break up anyone’s home.
