Page 31 of Relentless

Satisfaction bloomed inside Piper. Liam assumed she turned the man down without asking for confirmation. “He acted disappointed, but his eyes were filled with irritation.”

“Have you seen him since?”

“Not in the store. I thought I saw him a time or two from the corner of my eye. When I turned to look, no one was there.”

“Did he tell you his name?”

“Jerome. No last name.” Why was Liam tense?

“Did he leave when you refused to go out with him?”

She snorted. “I wish. He stuck around a few minutes, pressuring me to change my mind. I finally told him I was dating someone. About that time, Delilah finished helping the last of the other customers and informed Jerome that Wicks was closing for the night.”

“What did he do?”

“Bought seven lavender candles and left.”

“Did he use a credit or debit card?”

“He was the only person who paid with cash that day. Everyone else used plastic.”

“Describe him.”

“Taller than you by a couple inches at least, thin salt-and-pepper hair, black-rimmed glasses. He was in shape. Powerful build.”

“Was his hair long, short, in between?”

“Short. Reminds me of yours.”

“What about his eyes? Do you remember the color?”

Piper shook her head. “Sorry.”

“What about his clothing?”

“That’s another thing that made him stand out. The visitors in Wicks for family day wore jeans, long-sleeved shirts, and tennis shoes. Jerome wore camouflage pants, black t-shirt, and boots similar to yours.”

“Did he ask about the man you were dating?”

“He was more interested in persuading me to go on a date than finding out about his competition. Do you think you know him?”

“I don’t know. He seems to be an average guy with average coloring who takes care of himself.” Liam activated his Bluetooth system.

After one ring, Matt’s voice filled the SUV’s cabin. “How is Piper?”

The question brought a smile to her face. “I’m fine, Matt. Thanks for watching over me until Liam came to the hospital.”

“No problem. What do you need, Liam?”

“Two things. Can Delilah handle Wicks a few days without Piper?”

“She’ll work out something. If she needs help, I’ll see if a PSI trainee will assist her.”

“And serve as her bodyguard.”

“You’re sworn to secrecy, Piper. I don’t want her to know I might assign someone to protect her.”

She laughed. “Your wife is one smart lady. She’ll know. To keep you from worrying, she’ll allow it.”

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