Page 60 of The Woman with the Wallet

But right then, the man wrangled free from Miko’s grip and just… tore off.

“Max?”

“I’m fine. Go,” I said, knowing how torn he felt.

But I had his gun; even if the guy under the bed decided to attack, I was safe.

That said, the guy must have disappeared quickly because Miko was back in under two minutes.

“Sugar?”

“Hey, we have a situation here,” I said as his footsteps moved closer. “Turn the light on with your elbow,” I demanded.

“What’s—“ he started as the light flashed on.

“Get out,” I demanded of the guy under the bed.

He wiggled out, his dirty shoulder of his white tee and hair out first, then his face.

I recognized him instantly. Not from my apartment, but from the images Miko had shown me.

Black hair, brown eyes, kind of scrawny and nerdy-looking.

“Chuck, the fuck?” Miko asked. It was the relief in his voice that had me lowering the gun and focusing on Miko.

He had a small split in his lip, but was otherwise unharmed, save for his rumpled appearance from the scuffle. So most of those hits I’d heard must have landed on the other guy. Miko, it seemed, knew how to fight.

Great.

Like I needed another reason to find him hot.

“Kinda forgot to clean under there last… year,” Chuck said, swatting at the dirt on his shirt.

A little chuckle escaped me at that, making Chuck shoot me a sheepish smile. “Thanks for not selling me out.”

“You looked pretty freaked out,” I said, shrugging.

“Chuck, who the fuck was that?” Miko asked.

To that, Chuck shook his head as he hauled himself up onto his bed.

“I have no idea. I heard someone moving around in the house,” he told us. “Freaked me out, so I just… got under my bed. Then it wasn’t long after that when you guys came in. Who is this?” Then, looking at me, “What happened to your face?”

“I’m thinking a run-in with the same guy who was here to fuck you up,” I told him.

“Oh, shit,” Chuck said, blanching. And the poor guy was already anemic-pale. “You think he wanted to beat me up?”

“I think he wanted to kill you,” Miko said, surprising me with his blunt honesty. “He killed Henry before coming here.”

“What? No. I liked him. We played together sometimes,” he said, waving toward his desk, where his monitor and gaming console were set up.

Miko and I shared a look, both of us wondering if maybe Chuck had some information on Henry’s roommate.

“Alright, listen, Chuck. We can’t stay here.Youcan’t stay here.”

“Are you taking me with you? Protective custody?” he asked, sounding hopeful.

How the hell had this guy pulled off a diamond heist? He seemed so anxious and insecure.

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