Page 52 of Mensa's Match

I put my hands on my hips. “I should have stayed away from Twisted Talons, but at the same time, I should be able to let my hair down when I’ve been told his shift had been cut short. Believe it or not, the more I try to avoid him, the more I run into him.”

My brother stepped forward and leaned into a hand on the counter. “Word is Fortner and Robinson found you two at a hotel.”

I glared at him. “Yeah, becauseyouran us out of town and Block felt like my place was being watched.”

Wyatt turned his head away so sharply, it was a tell.

“Why the hell were you watching my place? You’ve lost your touch.”

He glared at me. “I haven’t lost my touch, Whitney. I watched your place because Corrupt Chrome assigned me to it after I went back and said I’d lost Mensa.”

I nodded once. “Did they get my address from my car registration? Were you the one who tossed my place?”

Wyatt’s head moved as though he just stopped himself from shaking it. “You know better. When was it tossed?”

“Surprised you don’t know about it, but it happened yesterday around dinner time.”

Wyatt straightened from the counter. “And you slept there last night?”

“No.”

He looked at Aunt Nadia and to me. “Her place?”

“No, sir,” Aunt Nadia said before I could shrug.

Wyatt arched a brow. “You hit the hotel again? That shit gets expensive.”

“Don’t worry about that. I stayed away last night. I’ll be in my own bed tonight.”

“You got a gun?”

“Yes.”

“You sure? Why didn’t you have it Monday night?”

“I switched purses for the time being. Plus, why would I carry a gun on karaoke night?” I asked, though this conversation reminded me I’d needed to switch back to my Boho bag.

His eyes narrowed a touch. “That almost makes sense.”

“That’s a load off my mind.”

“Whitney—”

“Why are you really here?” I asked, softening my defensive tone.

“I wanted to know about your connection to Mensa. And… let you know exactly how curious Rod is about you.”

Great.

After a closed-lip smile, I asked, “Did you do anything to kill his curiosity?”

His lips tipped up. “I’m a hang-around, but I did what I could without blowing my cover. If you had plans to go back to Jackson– now would be a great time to do that. Let him forget about you.”

I dipped my chin. “The heads-up is appreciated.”

He shook his head. “Don’t get stubborn. I’m trying to protect you from this.”

“I heard you, Wyatt.”

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