Page 28 of Seizing Mack
“She’s good, huh?”
“Mack? She’s the best.” The warning was clear in the older man’s tone. Those icy blue eyes lit on him like a laser. Nick had the distinct impression the guy wasn’t just talking about her high-accuracy shooting.
Nick refused to cower under the guy’s gaze and met it with one of his own. “I don’t suppose you’d know where I could find her?”
“You’re a detective. You figure it out.”
“Right. Thanks.”
Nick turned to leave, feeling the guy’s gaze on his back. Clearly, the guy felt protective of Mack, and that, Nick could respect. He was more concerned with whatMackthought when he hadn’t shown. Did she think he’d stood her up? Or, knowing he was a cop, had she given him the benefit of the doubt?
He slid into the driver’s seat and sighed. He was more than a little rusty at this kind of thing. For ten years, the job had always come first. It had been a long time since he’d been interested enough to wonder about things like impressions and misunderstandings on a personal level. However, he did remember enough to realize he owed Mack an explanation, and sooner rather than later. With any luck, she might be willing to meet him for a quick bite or maybe some coffee.
But first, he had to get her number.
He pointed the car towardSeize. Mack wasn’t there, but Carl was. When Nick explained the situation, Carl called out to a sculpted blonde guy who was just emerging from the weight room area.
“Hey Jay, come here for a minute, will you?”
“What’s up?”
“Nick here is asking how to contact Mack.”
The guy called Jay turned to Nick. “Detective Benning, right? Nice to meet you. I’m Jay, Mack’s housemate. Is there a problem?”
Mack’s housemate? This guy lived with Mack? He had male model written all over him, from his artfully tousled hair and perfect white teeth to his cut, fit physique. A wave of something dark and possessive tried to rise up, but Nick pushed it down.
“I was supposed to meet up with Mack, but I got held up at work and missed her.”
Jay narrowed his eyes. “You had a date with Mack?”
“Is that a problem?”
The words came out with an edge he hadn’t been able to fully suppress. Rather than take offense, a smile curved Jay’s lips. “No worries, Detective. Mack and I are many things to each other, but lovers isn’t one of them.”
Relief coursed through him. “I was supposed to meet Mack at O’Malley’s.”,
“Mixing Mackandfirearms? You are a brave man.”
“Well, Nick, I am going to do you a solid.” Jay peeled off a sticky note from a stack on the desk and scribbled a number. “This is Mack’s personal cell, but if you tell her you got it from me, I’ll deny it.”
“Deal. Thanks.”
“Oh, and Detective? Mack and I might not be involved that way, but sheismy closest and dearest friend. I care about her very much.”
Jay pinned him with a hard look, and Nick took it for what it was: a warning. “Understood.”
