Page 73 of Sweet Temptation

And anyway, I was a heartless asshole.

“Maybe you could tell your wife to give up on me. I’m a lost cause.”

“So you’re not interested in DJ Summer?”

“I’m interested in protecting my client,” I said icily.

Had I really been acting that unusual? Enough to make Naveen think I’d lost my shit and fallen in love overnight?

“I’m just saying. You don’t usually get so personal with clients.”

“It’s not personal. I just want to do the job right.”

“I get that. But there’s a chance you go overboard like this,” he pressed. “And I feel I’d be remiss not to mention it right out of the gate.”

I knew what he was getting at. But just because I’d once gone a little “overboard” on a job that bore a few similarities to this one didn’t mean it was happening again.

That was years ago. This was now.

“I’m not going overboard. And the guys can fill in when I need coverage.”

“Yeah, but that only works if you actually call them in. I noticed you haven’t assigned anyone to rotate in. Have you changed since you started this detail? Or are you still wearing the same clothes you left my house in the other night?”

What a fucking dick.

He knew me way too well.

“I’ve changed,” I informed him. Luckily, one of the guys had picked up some workout clothes I’d left here at the office and dropped them off to me last night. Otherwise, he’d be right. “And for the record, I’m at the office right now. Taking care of some things for you, for this week and beyond.”

“So you’re really staying on Summer for the foreseeable?”

“Looks that way.”

“May I ask why? If it’s not her, then what is it?”

“I don’t know. Something just feels… off.” I tried to put my finger on it, but so far, I hadn’t been able to. “I can’t quantify it. It’s a feeling.”

“What kind of feeling?” Naveen was more than accustomed to me and my unquantifiable gut feelings about things.

We both had them, after so many years on the job.

“I don’t know. This Sanchuk creep… you’re sure he hasn’t made another move in her direction? Nothing?”

“Nope. Other than the Sinners’ clubhouse, he’s barely left his shit hole apartment except to hit the grocery store.”

“Alright. Just keep me posted.”

“Will do. Try to take a break today at some point. Hit the gym or something. Andre’s been up my ass, griping about more hours. Put him to work.”

“Yeah. I’ll do that.”

Maybe.

We signed off, and as soon as I’d hung up, I bit the bullet and dialed Jude.

I knew I had to call him on this asap, given the MC connection, and anyway, I’d promised him updates. He was still in Australia right now, which meant it was probably… close to three in the morning? I figured I’d leave him a voicemail.

Instead, he picked up.

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