Page 54 of Keeping Guard
“I spend half my life on deployment. It’s not ideal for relationships.”
“Good thing I’m not looking for a relationship then, but I do want my date when I win.”
“If you win, princess.”
She lifted her gaze to the sky. “Poor boy’s delusional.”
Chapter Eighteen
“You sure you don’t want to come in? Have some dinner?”
Noah shook his head. “I’m sure. I think some one-on-one time with your father will do you both good. Call me when you’re ready to go.”
As soon as she got out of the car, Lucky jumped to the passenger seat. “I didn’t tell you that you could get up here.” The dog put his paw on Noah’s arm and looked up at him with those two-colored eyes. “You think you’re cute, don’t you?” He was kind of cute, and Noah sighed. “Fine, you can stay there.”
Since Peyton would be safe with her father, he had a few errands to run. His first stop was to buy condoms at the Walmart they’d passed on the way. By the time he and Peyton arrived back at her loft, she’d only had twenty minutes to change clothes before she needed to leave, so they hadn’t hadthetalk.
Although the smart thing would be a firm no, he wouldn’t agree to what she wanted, he accepted that saying no to Peyton was next to impossible. Besides, he was losing his desire to refuse her. As long as she could convince him that she wasn’t looking for a relationship, he was in. So, he would prepare for the inevitable and buy condoms. He also bought a prepaid phone, and when he got back to the car, he programmed his cell number in it.
His second stop was to see Joseph. He hadn’t wanted to ask earlier while Peyton was with them if Joseph had seen Dalton still hanging around. When they were close to Joseph, Lucky’s ears perked up, his tail wagged, and he strained at the leash.
“Easy, goofball. We’ll get to him.” So far, the only person Lucky hadn’t liked was Dalton. If nothing else, the dog had discerning tastes.
“There’s my favorite boy,” Joseph said, opening his arms to Lucky, which was all the invitation the dog needed to slobber Joseph’s face with kisses. Once Lucky settled down, Joseph said, “Got you something.” He pulled a treat out of his pocket.
Noah chuckled. “No wonder he loves you.”
“Gotta keep my boy happy.” He lifted his gaze to Noah. “Where’s Miss Peyton tonight?”
“She’s having dinner with her father.” Noah squatted. “You see her ex hanging around today?”
“This morning. Across the street from her place for about an hour. I didn’t want to say anything this afternoon and upset her. I figured as long as you’re with her, she’s safe.”
“You have my word on that.”
“He’s looking a bit raggedy. That’s unlike him. He always dressed to the nines.”
“That’s not a good sign.” It likely meant the man was getting desperate.
“You still military?”
“Yeah,” Noah automatically said. He grinned. Crafty old man. “I never told you I was in the military.”
“Didn’t have to. You got that look. A Marine here. I was in Desert Storm. Was never so glad to get out of that place when my time was up. Got messed up for a while with drugs and liquor. Lost my wife and home. Least I don’t have any kids I’m missing.”
The few times Noah had been around him, he hadn’t seen any hint of red eyes or a slurred voice. “You’re clean now?”
“For nine years. And if you’re thinking you should do something to help me get off the streets, you can take your do-gooder thoughts and find someone else to save. I like my life just as it is.” He patted his guitar. “Lucille and I make people happy, and we earn all the living we need.”
Noah had been thinking something like that.
“Let’s get back to talking about you, Mr. Alba. Army?”
“Shut your mouth, man. Navy.” And because he couldn’t resist bragging a little to a Marine, he added, “I’m a SEAL.”
Joseph’s grin stretched from ear to ear. “Well, la-tee-da. Don’t that make you special?”
He knew Joseph was teasing, but in the blink of an eye, his horror show flashed in front of his eyes. He was not fucking special. Because of him, a young translator and a damn good dog were dead. “I have to go.”
