Page 26 of Silk and Steel

Even though we’ve won a victory over Julian, it still feels like a defeat. Maybe we shut down his spy cameras. But his malignant presence lingers. He’s managed to taint my home. Again.

Even when I win, I lose.

6

COLE

I’ve been all over the world, and seen a lot of dangerous places. But there was just something unsavory about what went down at Emory’s place.

Just the thought of that creep Lovejoy watching her every move for who knew how long. With all the special privileges that his money can buy, he could probably have accessed a tablet or cell phone to watch her.

As if I already didn’t want to catch the creep and throw him back into a hole where he belongs.

Emory and I drop the mini cameras off at the Platinum Security office. Jax says Harlowe will work on trying to use the cameras to trace Lovejoy’s location. I am not an internet expert, but I know that it can be difficult to find someone who doesn’t want to be found online.

I have a lot more hope for the greeting card angle. Lovejoy had been physically present at some point, being in direct contact with the card. Even if he hadn’t been the one to pick the locks and drop it gift wrapped onto Emory’s bed, he had still touched it.

If I can figure out where Lovejoy is hiding out, or at least narrow it down, there is a good chance I can lay hands on him and his buddies. Sometimes, the best defense is a good offense.

Or maybe, I just want to punish him for what he’s done to Emory.

“What do we do now?” Emory asked as we got back into the truck.

“Now, I try to talk you into leaving town one more time–”

“No, I don’t think so. I mean, what’s going to happen with the cameras?”

“We’ll have to wait until we hear back from Harlowe. She’s the firm’s hacker.”

“I think I met her once, at a party.”

I sigh and rub my eyes. It feels like it’s been a damn long day in a city known for its long days.

“For now, since moving you out of town isn’t an option, I think it would be best if I took up quarters in your residence.”

She gives me a long look, then her face splits in a grin.

“You should wait at least until after the first date before you try to move in, don’t you think?”

It should be funny, but for some reason I feel a stab of shame.

“It’s not like that. I need to be able to watch over you day and night…”

We lock gazes, then laugh.

“There’s no way to say it without it somehow sounding dirty,” I say with a sigh.

“To be fair, anything can be twisted to sound dirty.”

I have to stop and chew that one over for a moment.

“Surely that doesn’t apply to everything.”

“Oh yeah?” Her eyes light up with something other than fear. I like that look on her. “You want to bet?”

“Bet?”

“Yeah, loser buys the winner a snow cone. Think of a totally unsexy thing and I’ll see if I can make it sound sexy.”

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