Page 5 of Heart Stopping
It was a small price to pay when you thought about it. None of this had anything to do with wanting to see him again. Or so I told myself.
"I can handle a lot of milkshakes." He held his tablet against his chest and smiled. "Can we, I don’t know, be friends? I… I don't even know your name." He held out his fist again for another bump, his body tense as if expecting to find himself on the concrete again.
"Harlow." I swiped my fist over his. "I don't think you want me for a friend."
Unless he just wanted me for my milkshakes. I'd say he was the first, but he wasn't. What can I say, food has an interesting effect on people. Especially when they stood to make money from it. I got at least one visit a month from someone working with my rivals, trying to learn something to give them an advantage.
Lucky for me, my staff was loyal. That's what I got for paying above minimum wage. And giving them time off when they need it. None of them would risk losing their job. Besides, we were a close-knit group of people, even if they didn't know about my…extracurricular activities.
"I really do," he said earnestly. "Maybe you can teach me how to throw people."
He mimed grabbing someone and throwing them over his shoulder. Then clasped his hands in front of himself and raised them, tablet and all, over his hand like he'd won a wrestling match. If the match was geek versus geek.
I found myself smiling. "I'll think about it. I should get going; I have things to do before the dinner rush."
"Of course." He lowered his hands again. "Me too. I'll see you tomorrow." He started to back away, jumped as he bumped into a dumpster and jerked away, laughing at himself.
I shook my head at him and watched him turn and hurry off down the street. I had to admit he had a very grabable ass, even in his faded jeans.
"Cass," I called out after him without thinking.
He stopped and turned around, a questioning look on his face. "Yeah?"
"Does anyone call you that?" I asked.
He shrugged and smiled. "They do now." He gave me a salute before he turned away again and disappeared amongst the crowds on the sidewalk.
"Bye," I said under my breath. If Cass knew what was good for him, he'd stay far away from me.
With a sigh, I headed off to my apartment to check on Gary. I sensed he was close to cracking and giving me the names of the people he was working with. If he did, I might let him die sooner.
CHAPTER 3
HARLOW
"Are you sure this is the place, Gary?" I was talking to myself because Gary was back at my place, with water up to his chin. He'd been forthcoming about some of the people in his operation, but not enough to save his own ass.
Let's face it, his ass was wrinkled toast a long time ago.
I checked the address again before silently making my way up the fire escape like a shadow. All the way up to the sixth floor. Stepping carefully past a couple of half open windows until I reached one in semi-darkness.
I crouched in front of it, peering through a gap in the curtain. A figure paced past, then back again. I froze when he spoke. Let out a silent breathe when I realized he was talking on the phone.
"It doesn't matter, Frank, I need to know where…" He paced away again.
If he was looking for Gary, he was shit out of luck. On the other hand, they'd meet again soon enough.
I sensed something was off a moment before I heard the creak of the fire escape below me.
Fuck.
They were moving almost as quietly as I had, but the metal wasn't as forgiving under their weight as it was under mine.
I peered downward. Someone was making their way up toward me, freezing every time the stairs groaned.
Doublefuck.
The only way out of here was into the building or back down the way I'd come. If they came all the way up here, they wouldn't miss seeing me.
