Page 20 of Wolf
“Thanks for saying that,” I answer, giving his upper arm a gentle squeeze. “It means a lot to me. You’ve been such a great boss to workfor.”
He turns his head and looks first at my hand on his arm, then at me. “If you hadn’t been working for me for all these years, I’d think that was a goodbye. Isit?”
My head shakes from side to side before he’s finished asking the question. I don’t mean to sound that way. It’s not goodbye. I have every intention of showing up at my next shift, focused and ready towork.
“It isn’t. You can’t get rid of me so easily, Jeff,” I say and grin to lighten themood.
“I hope so.” He looks out the window at my house. “Do you always leave the place this dark? It’s pitchblack.”
“Maybe the power’s out. I’ll check when I’minside.”
“All right. I’ll walk you to the front door,” he offers. “To besafe.”
“That’s sweet, but don’t worry about me,” I tell him, letting him down gently. He has no idea how well I can take care ofmyself.
“Okay, but I’m waiting here until you’re at the door,” hepersists.
“You’re always the gentleman, aren’t you?” I muse, grabbing my keys from the bottom of mybag.
“When it comes to taking care of the people who are important to me, yes.Always.”
I do my best to act like that comment flew right over my head, and smile, stepping out of the car. “Enjoy the rest of your night,Jeff.”
Jeff stays true to his word. I look back at his car when my front door is unlocked. He’s still there. It’s only when I give him a thumbs-up that he puts his car in reverse andleaves.
There’s just oneproblem.
Another few pairs of headlights cross paths with his, driving slowly onto my driveway. There are no neighbors around where I live, and I’m not expecting anyone. It can’t be Thorne, either. He rides amotorcycle.
Leaving all the lights off, I stand on the inside of my door and turn the deadbolt, my eyes on the approaching lights. I turn quickly, placing one hand on the knife I keep taped to the back of the shoe rack, and the other one on the Smith & Wesson M&P 40C besidesit.
If Thorne is playing more games with me, he’d better beready.
Sometimes, games end inbloodshed.
11
Rose
I remember the texts on my phone as I wait for the occupants of the cars outside to do something. Pulling my phone from my purse, I check to find out who’s been going all out to talk me. There are six texts, all from an unknownnumber.
Theyread:
Caller: It’s Thorne. Do NOT gohome.
Caller: Reply immediately when you see thismessage.
Caller: Rose. Answer your messages,dammit.
Caller: I’ll spank your ass until it’s red for notanswering.
Caller: Why aren’t you responding? It’surgent.
Caller: You’re being followed, LittleRed.
I almost want to laugh as I key in myreply:
Me: I know I’m being followed, asshole. You’ve been tailing me all week. And stop stalking my phone. Oh, never mind. You ARE a professionalstalker.
