Page 4 of Stealth Mission

Down the street, fingers are pointing in my direction. Attached to those fingers are angry locals.

With a wry chuckle, I shake my head. “I’m not winning any fans today even though I tried to disable the getaway car. Which is something I need to speak to the local law enforcement about. I discharged a weapon, albeit carefully, but still discharged a weapon in the middle of your town.”

She inspects me like I’m some weird insect in science class. “Don’t hold your breath. The police arenotcoming.”

My brows go up.

I tug off my baseball cap, scratch my head, then reseat my hat as I look up at the Banco de Karma sign. “Where I’m from, a bank robbery equals police response. Why wouldn't they come?”

“Your guess is as good as mine,” she snaps. “You can try going to the police station, but good luck with that. It’s probably closed.”

Huh?

Still confused by her remark, I mutter, “I’ll do that.”

Later. Right now I’m still glued in place. I extend a hand toward her. “How about we start over? Hi.”

She scrunches her nose.

I find myself grinning.

Fuck, she’s beautiful.

Throwing a glare at my hand, she hooks her killer purse over her arm and turns on her heel, pressing two very pretty lips into a hard scowl. “I need to go.”

I’m still grinning.

Lord, what is wrong with me?

Even though she’s clearly not into me, I call out to her, “Sorry if I scared you.”

She’s a good thirty paces away, but gives me a pained look over her shoulder. “I’m having a really bad day. I lost my temper. I don’t usually punch strangers in the gut.”

“Can’t say I blame you.”

She stares at me for a hot minute, but I can’t tell what she’s thinking.

Cracking my knuckles, I consider what I’m about to do. Possibly make a mess of things… or get a leg up on our case.

I can feel her out (not up) and ask if she’s seen Allison Westerly, the woman our team refers to by the code name MZ.

My mind whirls with the risk-to-reward possibilities. Given that the car I shot at could be related to the case, I know Karma is going to give us our next lead…

Only my motivation is selfish too. I am a guy after all, and she’s a beautiful woman with an attitude that makes her just a little too irresistible.

“Can I buy you brunch?”

She flinches, looking totally affronted. “No! That’s a bad idea.”

This time, when she walks away, there’s no backward glance.

As I stand outside the bank, the need to know her name burns in the center of my stomach. Right where her small fist punched. Right where those sweet feminine curves were pressed against me.

I rub my hand over the spot as I chuckle.

Damn.

I’ll be in Karma and the surrounding area for a few days hunting leads. Maybe I’ll see her again.

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