Page 34 of Casey's Hero

Jacob studied Casey. “She might cater to both sexes. In fact, she might prefer talking to a man than a woman since she has to do that every day.”

“To make sure she talks to someone, we both need to go.” Casey walked to the door, her head held high. She opened it and turned to Jacob. “My SUV or your truck?” she challenged, refusing to back down.

His lips pressed into a thin line. “My truck.”

She nodded and headed for the parking lot and Jacob’s truck. Hawk’s disappearance was partially her fault. She’d be damned if Jacob left her behind.

As they hurried toward the truck, Jacob hit the key fob to unlock the doors.

Casey rounded to the passenger side.

Jacob beat her there and opened her door.

As she stepped up on the running board, he leaned close. “We might be in a hurry, and you might have invited yourself along, but I can still be a gentleman.”

“Thank you, but it’s not necessary,” Casey said as she climbed in, her shoulder brushing Jacob’s chest, sending shivers of awareness throughout her body.

“Maybe not to you,” he said, his breath warming the back of her neck. “But in my book, it is to me.” He closed the door and jogged around the front of the truck to jump into the driver’s seat. In seconds, he was out of the parking lot and into the street.

Jacob handed Casey his cell phone where he’d entered the address for Mina Perez’s salon, the Clips Ahoy.

Casey had managed to go along with him this time. Jacob wouldn’t let her bulldoze her way into the next altercation. They were dealing with a beauty salon in this situation. When it came to storming a drug cartel’s compound, Casey might have to leave it to the trained professional combatants.

CHAPTER 8

They arrivedat the Clips Ahoy hair salon a few short minutes later.

Casey touched Jacob’s arm before he got out of the truck. “Let me start with the questions.”

“Okay.” He opened his door and got out.

Before he could get around to the other side, Casey was standing on the ground, closing her own door.

“You make it really hard to be a gentleman.” He held up his hand. “I know. You don’t need anyone to hold doors for you. You’re perfectly capable of holding your own.”

“It’s really a matter of patience,” she said with a smile. “I lack that virtue.” She led the way to the shop.

Jacob chuckled. “In that case, shouldn’t I be the one to ask the questions?”

“You know what I mean.” She frowned at him, her brow dipping low over her pretty green eyes. “I can be patient when I need to be.”

“Uh-huh,” he murmured as he reached for the salon door.

Inside, the shop smelled of shampoo, conditioner, and chemicals Casey was familiar with, having been to beauty shops to get her hair cut and, on occasion, to have her dark hairhighlighted. She’d given up the highlights when her budget had tightened but still visited when her hair needed trimming.

A dark-haired woman wearing a white shirt, white skirt, white heels and matching apron swept strands of clipped hair into a dustpan and dumped it into a trash bin before she looked up with a smile. “Can I help you?”

“Are you Mina Perez?” Casey asked.

Her brow furrowed, and she answered with a wary, “Yes.”

“I’m Casey Wesson.” Casey stepped forward, holding out her hand. “I understand you’re big into tracing your ancestry.”

The woman nodded again, her frown deepening. She took Casey’s hand in a brief but firm grip and released it. “I’m Mina. Are you with the DEA, ATF, FBI, CIA or some other government agency?” She set her broom aside and crossed her arms over her chest.

“No, we’re not,” Casey said. Before she could explain why they’d come, Mina advanced on her, pointing a finger at her chest.

“If you’re a reporter or something, you can leave now. I don’t have time to answer questions about theCartel Jalisxo Nueva Generación.Yes, we’re related. No, I’m not involved. No, I don’t kill people and leave their bodies in unmarked graves. You two can leave now.” She waved toward the door. “If you stay, you have to make an appointment to have your hair or nails done. Time is money.”

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