Page 117 of Simon Says

She started to reply to that when Eve and Jacki disappeared into a shoe shop that looked very high end, making Dakota curl her lip. “They have to be kidding.”

“’Fraid not. Eve is a walking fashion statement.”

“Great. So how much are shoes going to cost me here?”

“More than they should, if you ask me. And if you’re asking me, it’s a waste of time and effort, too, because Simon doesn’t give a”—he glanced at her, and modified his speech—“flip what kind of shoes you wear.”

“If that’s so, then how come he told me he didn’t like my boots?”

“You probably had him pissed about something.”

“Yeah, that’s happened a lot between us.”

Smiling over that disclosure, Dean nudged her into the store. “Look. Eve has found the perfect pair for you already. If you bite the bullet and buy the things so we can call a halt to the shopping spree, I’ll stop and get ice cream for everyone.”

“Ice cream, huh?” Dakota looked at the boots Eve held up for her inspection. They were narrower than her clunky lace-up boots, with two-inch heels, side zippers, and buckles that offered edgy appeal.

Unwilling to trust her own sense of fashion, Dakota asked Dean, “Do you like them?”

“Yeah, sure, but then with what you’re wearing, anything will be an improvement.”

Grinning, Dakota said, “All right, then. If they have my size, I’ll take them.”

CHAPTER 15

MARVINstood just outside the glow of a light pole and watched Dakota across the parking lot of the mall. She’d been in there for a couple of hours, though he knew she wasn’t much of a shopper. But now the big bruiser beside her was loaded down with packages. Ahead of them were two laughing women.

Her damned backup. What a joke.

Wind blew his hair across his face and cut through his jean jacket. When Dakota had shown up at the bar, as Marvin had known she would, he had his chance to follow her.

Only she didn’t leave alone, and that added to his rage. Dakota could be so damned elusive, sneaking out of town, changing her phone number, switching hotels. He hated this damn town. He wanted to head back to Ohio.

But not before squaring things with Dakota.

His cell phone buzzed again, and for the fourth time, Marvin ignored it. He didn’t want any distractions, not now.

As the small group reached the car and saw the deep scratch down the side, Marvin waited with anticipation. Even in a crowded parking lot, with the car parked beneath the lights, it was easy to make his mark. He’d pulled his cap down low over his face, pulled the collar up on his cheap flannel shirt, and kept his keys in his hand. One slow trip past the car, and Dakota knew he’d followed her.

From the shadows, Marvin watched as she turned this way and that, searching the lot. Looking forhim. He could picture her expression, and it made him nearly giddy with excitement.

Though it was probably the big man’s car, he barely paid attention to the damage. After stowing the packages in the trunk, he unlocked the doors, urged the women inside, and drove away.

No cops. No show of anger. No…anything.

His cell phone rang yet again.

Marvin gnashed his teeth and clenched his fists. Snatching the phone out of his pocket, he headed for his car and got inside. “What?”

Barnaby said, “Where have you been? I’ve been calling for hours.”

“I’m a busy man, you know that. In fact, I’m busy right now, so if you have something to say—”

“I need to know what you’ve done.”

“About what?” Marvin slammed his door and put the key in the ignition. He didn’t want to follow too closely, but just in case they didn’t go back to the bar, he didn’t want to lose them, either.

“Dakota called me. She accused me of pushing her down a flight of stairs.”

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