Page 47 of Stealth Mission

She presses her lips together as she glances toward the bar.

“I’m glad to see you.” I let my eyes linger on her for only a beat. If her dirtbag father wasn’t standing next to us, I’d keep going, make some more small talk just so I could keep looking at her incredible caramel-colored eyes.

Her gaze falls and she clears her throat. When she tugs her hands away, I fist mine, catching the remaining heat.

There’s a slight hitch in her voice. “It’s a nice surprise to see you here.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

Damn. My voice is rough.

With a little quirk of her brows she studies me. “Somehow you show up just at the wrong moment. Today continues to be crappy, just like yesterday, as you can see.”

“Can I buy you a drink?”

“It’s eleven in the morning.”

“Not where I’m from.”

Her lips twitch.

Her father makes another strangling sound.

When I return my stare back to him, I let my annoyance show. “Did you say something? Because as far as I’m concerned your conversation with Marianna is done.”

Oh the look he gives me. I’m not sure if he’s going to throw a tantrum or shoot me.

Pinching his lips, he puffs up. “I’ll talk to my daughter whenever I want. As Marianna said, we were joking.”

Right. This man is a professional bullshitter. I counter his reply. “I didn’t hear any laughing.”

For a beat he considers his next move. Then his eyes narrow, adding to his weasel-like appearance. “I want to assure your stay here in my town is pleasant.”

I didn’t know that pleasant and deadly were under the same definition in the dictionary.

“I’m sure it will be. It’s already been filled with unexpected fireworks.”

His intensity ratchets up. “Speaking of explosions. Where were you after the car bomb went off last night?”

The last thing I expected is for Marianna to jump in, but she does with gusto. “Walt escorted me home. Twice yesterday he made sure I was safe from the ever-growing poison that is affecting Karma.”

A bolt of lightning would not be surprising right now. There’s a wall of static charge vibrating around the three of us.

“Pity that our guest was caught up in that.” He tuts as he straightens his shirt, smoothing it into his belt. “Mr. Goodlove, I suggest you cut your trip short.”

Ha.Not happening.

I smile tightly at him, playing his game. “I love the excitement. I might extend my stay.”

Marianna’s lashes flare. But she clamps her mouth shut.

Pressing her hands to her pale green dress, she forces the flowing fabric tight against her legs. “Father, I need to get going. I have an appointment. Walt, I’ll speak to you soon.”

I almost chuckle. Speaking probably involves yelling. But I’ll make it up to her.

I watch her go with my mind spinning. Now I know what happened to my good sense. She’s bewitching, that one. The spine of steel. The long silky hair, the dash of freckles on her nose. The way her dress hugs her fine ass…

A ringtone interrupts my thoughts. The sound is caustic and immature. Her father snaps his phone to his ear. A look of almost panic tightens his expression. “Sylvester, yes. She was just here with me, but she had an appointment. Of course. Everything is just great. I’ll make sure she returns your call.”

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