Page 42 of Silk and Steel

“Cole,” I say as we exit the restaurant, bellies full. The sun has set and cooled the city somewhat. A fresh breeze comes in off the Pacific. It feels good.

“What is it, Emory?”

His voice is soft, like the breeze. I look into his eyes and I just want to be with him. To enjoy his company. But my evil Ex’s shadow falls over all of that.

“I think I should go ahead and meet with Julian.”

“What? No.” He shakes his head with vehemence. “That’s a terrible idea.”

“I didn’t say I was actually going to fly to Colombia. I just want to draw him out into the open. We can use me as bait.”

“That’s not a good use of our time, and it may not work, anyway. I think we should try and find Lovejoy and his accomplices.”

“How are we going to do that? He never calls for long enough for us to get a trace.”

Cole’s brows lift high on his face.

“We may not know where they are, but we know where they’re going. We’ll work backwards.”

I admire his confidence. If anyone else were here, I might not believe them.

But I get the feeling Cole isn’t going to rest until Lovejoy is dealt with, and I’m safe. I guess I could do worse for a bodyguard.

A lot worse.

8

COLE

This whole case has me twisted up inside. But not nearly as much as Emory’s mere presence.

Sure, she’s beautiful, but LA is full of beautiful women. Emory is special. I can’t put my finger on it, but she’s got the secret sauce. I’m comfortable talking to her, which is saying a lot.

Probably too comfortable. I try to push business back into my mind, and the conversation.

“Hey, listen,” I say.

She glances over at me. Emory had been staring at the window, watching the lights of the city go by. Ever since dinner she’s been quiet.

“What’s up?” she asks in the voice of someone whose mind has been far, far away.

“I need to talk to a contact of mine about a possible lead on Lovejoy and his crew, maybe even a way to find their hideout. I’ll get one of the boys from Platinum Security to babysit you while I’m gone.”

The temperature in my truck drops about thirty degrees. The look she gives me is enough to kill all on its own.

“Babysit?”

I grit my teeth.

“Poor choice of words. I should have said protect. I’ll get someone from the office to protect you while I’m gone.”

Her lips twist into a sour frown.

“I’m not sure I like the idea of you just dumping me off with someone. Besides, whoever your contact is, I doubt Julian would expect me to be there.”

I mull it over. She has a point. It would probably be safer to bring her with me. But what if I’m wrong? I was wrong in the Red Sea, and it cost me my best friend.

Then I realize, the point is moot. Emory is the customer, and the customer is King. Or queen, in this case. Besides, I know better than to try and talk her out of this. There’s iron behind those blue eyes.

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