Page 168 of A Dirty Business
“That was fast.”
“He said he was already coming over.” I let out an unsteady breath. “What are you doing tonight?”
He was quiet at first, then lowered his voice. “Are you asking because you want to know? Or are you asking because ... I don’t know. What are we doing here?”
I shook my head, leaning back and resting it against the back of my chair. “I don’t know, Trace. I just know that my mom is alive. I killed her childhood best friend, and you’re the first person I called as soon as I could. So whatever that means to you is what it means to me.”
He chuckled, softly. “I’m glad you called. It means something. I think we might be getting serious.”
I grinned, holding back a laugh because that felt inappropriate. “Don’t say things like that. A girl might get all kinds of ideas.”
“Maybe I want this particular girl to get those ideas.”
“Then maybe you should say more.”
He barked out a laugh. “I love you. I’m assuming since you’re at Leo’s house that I’d not be welcomed to come and slip into bed with you.”
I let out a quiet laugh, standing. “I do not want another reenactment like what just happened at my mom’s house, so no. I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Hey, Trace.” I was heading for the door and turned the light off before I opened it.
“Yeah?”
“I’m sorry for what happened to you guys tonight, but I’m glad that they didn’t try to shoot you.”
“They didn’t know—” He stopped, cursing swiftly.
“What?”
“They didn’t know where I was. No one knew. I slipped my guys because I wanted to see you, and I didn’t want to be bothered with the business. I didn’t want to bring my guards with me. No one knew where I was.”
We both were quiet, letting that sink in.
I murmured, “You were at my house all day.”
“Yeah. Bear brought your mom home there late afternoon. He knew I was there.”
“You were there until late evening.”
We were both arriving at the same conclusion.
“He’s not the leak—”
“—or they would’ve come for me at your house.”
“Yeah.” Shit. Shit!
“What does that mean?”
I shook my head. “I have no idea.”
“You sure you want to stay at Leo’s house? I could do with feeling reassured there are no bullet holes in you all night long.”
“Me, too, but no. I need to stay here for my mom. It’ll be fine. Leo’s family.”
“Okay. I love you.”
