Page 46 of Bullseye
Shit, just hearing it out loud sounds ridiculous. How do I explain this one?
“Are you okay?” I ask. “Who was that in your apartment?”
“I’m fine.” Pushing her way past me, she leaves the building, shifting a large bag up higher onto her shoulder.
In her jeans and sexy lace-up-the-back black leather chaps, a long tank top, and with a jacket tossed over her bag, she’s obviously prepared to ride. A long ride.
She keeps talking as she walks down the path. “You’re not still jealous, are you? You couldn’t possibly think it’s Seth. Last I checked, he was at the hospital.”
“No, I don’t think it was Seth.”
She’s trying not to be obvious, but she’s hurrying. She’s trying to act like she didn't just run from Seth’s hospital room and threaten me with the cops.
Reaching out, I take her arm, stopping her. Dropping her head back, she looks up at the sky. Righting it, she looks into my eyes, blinking away tears.
“Sen, baby.” Stepping toward her, I reach out and stroke her cheek gently. “What’s going on?” The panic I felt the entire ride here is subsiding now that I see her here, and she’s okay.
“Bullseye, I have to go.”
“Where?”
“Away.”
“Who was that in your apartment just now? Is he the reason you have to go?”
Tilting her head and narrowing her eyes, it’s like she’s trying to read into my question. “It was my landlord. I rent from month to month. No lease. I explained about the window and said I’d pay for it, but I wanted my security deposit back.”
My twisted gut starts to relax, and then, realizing what she’s saying, it ties itself in knots again. “Security deposit? So what? You’re moving? Where are you going?”
“Away. I told you.”
Panic rushes up and down my spine, and all I want to do is to reach out, grab her, and whisk her away somewhere safe. Damn, I haven’t really thought this through. Where could we go to be safe? Some quiet island somewhere?
No. For right now, the best I’ve got is Hoppa’s Taphouse. No matter what, she’ll be safe there. I can leave her to be looked after by Harry and the guys. No, it won’t be the most comfortable thing ever, but she can sleep in the back room and there’s plenty of food and even company.
She’ll be fine while I get the hell out of here and disappear somewhere.
Then, even if Mikey and Tony want to come after her to get to me, they’ll have to get past the Steel Knights. And considering how that went for the Unchained Dogs who outnumbered us… Mikey and Tony do not have a prayer. But what? She’s going to live in the Taphouse forever?
No, just until I can figure out a way to stop Mikey and Tony without having to set foot in New York. Because if I do, I’ll be dead. No questions asked.
Putting this out of my mind, I allow my heart to slow with the promise of this little plan.
“Seneca, you can’t leave.”
But I can’t say much more. I have to be cool.
Control your breathing, Bullseye. You have one bullet here. Everything is riding on this. If you miss this bullseye, she’s gone.Opening my eyes, I know this is the highest stakes “shot” I’ve ever taken.
Turning her hot little body toward me, she plants one hand on her hip and drops her chin. “Excuse me? What do you mean I can’t leave?”
“It’s not safe for you to be on your own. I won’t let you go. Seneca, I… I forbid it.”
“What the hell did you just say to me?” Her eyes are narrowed, and her voice sounds like a demon has just possessed her.
Oh, shit. I didn’t just miss the bullseye, I’ve missed the whole damned target. But I don’t have time for games. I need to get her somewhere safe.
Planting her hands on her hips, she stares into my eyes. “I don’t know who the hell you think you are, but we had one night together.One night.” She holds up her index finger for emphasis, and I know she’s purposely omitting the morning we shared—and it’s probably better if I don’t correct her. “That’s nothing.” Her words are bitter, but her tone is soft. She’s hurting. “And in case you didn’t notice then, let me explain it to you now. I am a grown-ass woman and you cannotforbidme to do anything.”
