Page 70 of Mensa's Match

“Yes.”

The trepidation in his tone raised my hackles. “Why do you say it like that? Donny’s already in a really bad position. The worst thing you can do is offer false hope.”

Mensa set a box of pasta on the counter and faced me. “You can throw a drowning man a rope, but he’s still gotta grab hold and help you help him.”

“I get that, but—”

“If he’s secretive, no lawyer or fire department contact is going to help.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

Mensa twisted up his hands. “I’m pretty sure Har can help. But I get the feeling there’s more we don’t know.”

“Like what? Demetrius is being threatened. Donny lost a restaurant. You think he’s in a position to retaliate?”

“It has to have crossed his mind. I may not have kids, but someone threatens the people I love, I want my pound of flesh.”

“Right,” I whispered.

“Why are you so protective of him?” Mensa asked, coming closer.

I put a hand on my hip. “Do you have the slightest idea how hard it is to run a small business? Add in the hurdles of being a minority… it isn’t right what’s happened to him. He’s a great man, Mensa.”

Mensa’s head tilted. “You haven’t even known him very long, have you?”

“No.”

“Then how do you know that about him?”

I shot him a pointed look. “Are you saying I’m wrong?”

“No. I’m surprised you know so much about him.”

I shrugged. “He and I have chatted a little, but it’s hardly ever small talk with him. I tend to be cynical after being with the Bureau, but I believe in my instincts. Mine tell me Donny’s a great person.”

Mensa nodded ever so slowly while stalking closer to me. He wrapped an arm around my waist. “Your instincts are right.”

I slid my hands up his chest. “I’m glad you think so.”

His other arm came around my shoulders and he drove his hand into the hair at the back of my head. “I know it’s been one helluva long day. Moving sucks, and we’re both tired.”

All of that was true, so I kept quiet.

He lowered his face toward mine. “Know what I like the most about your apartment?”

My breasts were pressed up against his warm torso, and I stared into his heated, brown eyes. “I don’t know.”

He started walking us toward my bedroom. “The fact your bedroom doesn’t share a wall with anyone else’s unit.”

I chuckled. “Okay… not what I expected, and that is rather specific.”

His lips grazed along my jaw before he lifted his head. “That means you can be loud…and I can’t wait to make you moan my name.”

“I have neighbors downstairs,” I breathed since his lips had hit that spot right behind my ear that felt really freaking good.

He pulled back and shook his head. “Nope. That unit’s vacant. I checked.”

Chapter 18

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