Page 133 of Renard's Deliverance

“Explains the three missed calls from him on my phone,” he muttered.

“Renard!”

“Yep?”

“I thought we agreed no security system. I don’t need it.”

“Never agreed that, Gem. And you do need it.”

“Didn’t you say it was Alec’s responsibility?” she asked.

“That was before I became your guardian. About time Curt got around to getting it set up.”

“I don’t need it! I live in suburbia with a chain on the door as well as a deadlock.”

“You need cameras and an alarm. And Malone was slacking by not putting those in.”

Something he’d make him aware of. When he answered one of his calls.

“It’s way too expensive,” she protested.

He shot her a look. “You’re my woman. My responsibility. You’re getting it. No arguments.”

“Hey, Opal, are you back—oh, uh, sorry.”

What the fuck? Who was this guy? Renard glared up at the guy standing there awkwardly. He was younger than Renard with a bit of a belly and stooped shoulders.

Renard vaguely remembered seeing him before and guessed he was a neighbor. But that did not mean he liked him coming into his girl’s backyard while she was dressed in a hot bikini and he was making out with her.

“Barney! Hey!” Opal tried to tug out of Renard’s hold, but he simply held her tighter.

“Hey, Opal. Uh, sorry for interrupting.” He shuffled his feet but didn’t leave.

“Did you need something?” Opal asked.

“Yeah, did you have any milk?” he asked.

“You can’t go to the store and get milk?” Renard asked.

“Renard,” she warned, glaring at him.

“We’re busy. Store’s a few minutes’ drive away, Gem.”

“I have some milk, Barney.”

“No, you know, he’s right. I’ll go get some milk. Leave you to it.” The guy turned and rushed away.

“Renard!” Opal scolded.

“What?” he asked.

“That was rude.”

“Baby, he came to ask for some milk? Seriously? It’s the middle of the afternoon; he can get his own milk. That guy been bothering you?”

“Who? Barney? No, he’s harmless. Poor guy comes every weekend to spend time with the Grackle, who is his aunt. He’s a saint. Be nice.”

“I’m never nice.”

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