Page 55 of Decoding Morse

17

Morse

EARLY MONDAY MORNING, I was triple-checking all the video feeds, ensuring every camera was fully operational, when someone slipped into the security office and hovered behind my chair. I didn’t have to turn around to know who it was. After the one and only time Rabbit had caught me spying on Amelia, I’d installed a small mirror beside my monitor to watch my back. I now used the mirror to meet his gaze and watch a shit-eating grin stretch across his face.

“Can I help you?” I asked, already annoyed.

Amelia, Morgan, Specks, Prospect, and I were scheduled to hit the road in two hours and would be gone most of the week. It would be the longest stretch of time I’d been away from the club since I’d joined, and I was fucking struggling with the concept. I had a mile-long list of tasks I needed to work through before we could leave, and the last thing I needed was a visit from this meddling fool.

“Actually, I’m here to helpyou,” he said, slapping my shoulder. “Couldn’t let my favorite stalker rush off into danger without sharing some of my hard-earned wisdom.”

It was too damn early for this bullshit. “I’m not a stalker. And I’ll pass on the nonsense, thanks.”

“Rude,” he said before spinning around to throw a wave at someone. “Mornin’ Tap.”

Tap gave him a wary nod as he passed. “Rabbit. Hey Morse, you all ready to go?”

“Not quite,” Rabbit answered for me. “In fact, I came to remind him of a task he needs to hand over to you before he leaves.”

“Oh?” Tap focused on me. “What do you need, brother?”

I scoured my brain, trying to figure out what Rabbit was talking about, but came up empty. With him, who knew?

“Morse here doesn’t like to ask for help, so I’m here to do it for him.”

Finished checking the video feeds, I spun in my chair to face him. “For fuck’s sake, spit out whatever insanity you feel compelled to share, and let me get back to work.”

“Fine.” Rabbit huffed. “Don’t forget to have Tap keep an eye on Amelia’s house while you’re gone.”

Tap’s eyebrows shot up. “You got eyes on Amelia’s house?”

Before I could figure out the best way to answer, Rabbit beat me to the punch and sold my ass out.

“He sure does. He’s been watching her since her ol’ man died.”

Betrayal stabbed me in the chest. “What the fuck, Rabbit?”

“Does she know?” Tap asked.

“Nope.” Rabbit stuffed his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “The freak’s been watching her without her consent.”

Tap frowned. “That true?”

I glared daggers at Rabbit, mentally plotting out his demise. Fucking nark. “It’s not as big of a deal as this asshole is making it out to be. I couldn’t approach her, but I needed to keep her safe.” Couldn’t approach was a gross understatement for the way I didn’t trust myself to be in her presence, but that was my story, and I was sticking to it.

“You don’t get a free pass to stalk someone just because you can’t deal with your feelings,” Rabbit said. “You need to come clean and admit you’ve been eye-fuckin’ her every time she gardens.”

Fighting the urge to break his jaw, I snapped. “Will you shut the fuck up?”

“No, I sure as hell won’t because you butted your whole ass into my business when I was goin’ through it with Poe.”

Poe was short for Postal, the nickname he’d given to his ol’ lady, Elenore, who was every bit as crazy as that nickname warranted. Then again, she had to be able to handle Rabbit.

He jabbed a finger in my face. “You can be the surliest motherfucker on the planet, but I’ve seen the way you look at her. You got it bad for this woman, and I’m not letting you fuck it up.”

“What? Now that you’ve been in a relationship for a whole minute you suddenly feel qualified to give advice?”

Rabbit cocked his head to the side. “Yes, asshole, because at least I’m in counseling, dealing with my shit. You know what Sage says? The most important thing for you to get through your thick skull is that you and your woman need to wear the same jersey. Not physically, of course, but mentally.”

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