Page 53 of Mensa's Match

“Whitney—”

Aunt Nadia stepped closer to me. “Leave her be, Wyatt. She’s got enough goin’ on right now.”

Wyatt’s expression turned questioning. “She does? From where I’m standing, she’s got nothing going on right now.”

I glared at him for being so insensitive to Aunt Nadia. “Learning the ropes of Hard Pressed isfarfrom nothing, Wyatt.”

His eyes slid to Aunt Nadia. “I didn’t mean it that way, Aunt Nadia.”

She gave him a small nod. “I know you didn’t.”

He lifted his chin at her, then locked eyes with me. “Are you sure about this? You’re giving up after almost five years?”

I pressed my lips together for a moment. “I put in my resignation. Been a long time since I had such clarity. As for Hard Pressed, I won’t know anything if I don’t get in here and see what I’m in for.”

Wyatt pointed at me. “That’s another reason to get back to Jackson. A decent amount of Aunt Nadia’s business is with bikers. You don’t need to run into the asshole here.”

I turned to Aunt Nadia. “How often do you see actual members? Don’t they usually send someone else? A woman?”

Aunt Nadia gave me a patient nod. “Normally, but on rare occasion, the bikers come in here themselves. I’d much rather see you be safe than sorry, Whitney.”

My brows furrowed. “We don’t know that Rod’s gonna figure out I spend my time here.”

“He knows where you live, but he doesn’t know where you work. He told me and five others to keep an eye out for your car.” Wyatt glanced out the windows. “Speaking of that, where is your car?”

I smiled. “I caught a ride. My car needs to be cleaned. It’s gonna be a bitch to get rid of all that fingerprint dust.”

People said twins often shared an almost telepathic connection. Wyatt and I didn’t believe that very much. But I sensed he knew I was bullshitting him.

Seriousness filled his eyes. “Watch your back, Whit.” His eyes softened when he turned to Aunt Nadia. “Love you Aunt Nadia. I gotta go.”

“What? You don’t love me?” I asked.

That earned me a dry look. “Got no choice where you’re concerned,” he said, then leaned in and gave me a cheek kiss.

Aunt Nadia and I worked quietly for two hours after he left.

She stood from her sewing machine, put her hands to her lower back, and arched for a stretch. “If that boy’s right, youshouldgo back to Jackson until this dies down.”

I saved the spreadsheet I was updating and sat back in my chair. That would be sensible, but I hated the idea.

I sighed. “I’ll keep that in mind, but for now, I can’t stomach the idea of running away.”

Aunt Nadia nodded. “I understand that, but it would only be for a little while. Far better to have wounded pride than a physical wound.”

“That’s very true. And, I’m sorry Wyatt was so insensitive to you earlier.”

She scoffed. “He wasn’t being insensitive, sweetie. He loves you and doesn’t want to watch you do something you could regret. I suspect he believes you bailing out on law enforcement is a doozy of a mistake.”

Hearing it put like that, my mouth ran away from me. “Do you think I’m making a huge mistake?”

Her lips curved into a patient smile similar to Mom’s. “What I think doesn’t really matter, does it? But ignoring your own safety isn’t just a mistake, it’s all kinds of foolish.”

“I’m not ignoring my safety, and to be fair, even if I go back to Jackson, clearing out my apartment will only take a few days. Is that enough time? There’s no telling how long I’d have to stay away to really be safe.”

She nodded. “You’re right, my dear. But you better keep your gun with you.”

“Of course.”

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