Page 34 of Fool Me Once

Cain nodded. “Still, itdoesn’t stop us from sharing a coffee, or talking, or whatever.” He didn’t wantto come to this café, not because he had anything against it, he didn’t.Cameron Pierce had turned out to be one of the rare gems, like Leah. She workedhard and had simply fallen on bad times. It sucked.

Life handed people harshdeals, but it was rare for them to be able to do anything about it. Cameron hadtaken a gamble on her café, and it seemed to be working for her.

“I know, but I’ve also gota date with Cameron once she closes, and besides, she makes the best coffee.”

“Do you get a boyfrienddiscount?” Cain asked, picking up his coffee and blowing across the top of thedrink.

Frank chuckled. “Yeah, Ido, but it is still pretty good coffee.”

Cain couldn’t deny it ashe took a generous sip. It was fucking hot, though. Hotter than he thought itwas going to be, but he didn’t fan his face. Showing weakness was not somethinghe was known for. He didn’t know who was watching him. Enemies were alwayslurking.

“You know, I never got tothank you for what you did,” Frank said.

“We don’t need to talkabout it,” Cain said.

Frank nodded and raisedhis hands as if he was showing a peaceful offering. “I know, I know, but that’sthe point, isn’t it?”

Cain put his coffee downand sat back in his chair, looking over at his friend. “What is?”

“You didn’t have to dothat. I was going to be locked up and forgotten about. You didn’t owe meanything.”

“You watched my back.”

“And you took care ofmine,” Frank said. “Most people would have considered that an equal debt.”

“What can I say, I’m notmost people.”

Frank smiled. “I know whyshe likes you.”

This time, Cain frowned.“What?”

The smile turned into afull-on chuckle.

“Leah,” Frank said.

“I pay her to.”

Frank tutted. “You canmake all the pretense you want, it doesn’t change what happened. You’re a goodguy.”

“I don’t need to remindyou that I am anything but.”

“I know you have areputation, and you’re not going to do anything to change it, but I also knowin a strange kind of way you believe in justice.”

Cain smiled this time andpicked up his coffee. “I deliver justice.”

“Exactly. You knew mystory, and yet you dealt with it, so I wasn’t locked up for life. You helpedme. You righted another person’s wrong, and for that I will forever be in yourdebt, just like I am for bringing Cameron back to me.”

“Don’t,” Cain said,holding up his hand. “I was happy to leave her memory in the past. It was Leahwho insisted we find her.”

There was that smile againon Frank’s face.

“And you went to helpher.”

“Leah works for me, andshe’s pretty good at what she does,” Cain said.

“And what does she doexactly?” Frank asked.

Cain stared at him forseveral seconds. “Her job.”

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