Page 90 of Always Been Mine

“Don’t worry, Ed’s coming with me.”

“I don’t give a damn if you have an entire security entourage,” Gabe snarled, starting the truck and steering out of the space. “I told you to stay put.”

“Things have just gone to crap, Gabe. Zach and Nate had a confrontation earlier today. The senator got involved, and he’s thinking of canceling the BSI contract. Travis is over there smoothing things out right now. The senator told Zach to go cool off. I’m taking care of Zach,” Beatrice said.

“Jesus Christ, not one day and Reece got into trouble?”

Beatrice laughed briefly, though not really with humor. “Don’t let his easy personality fool you. When Nate’s got a hair up his ass, he could push your buttons.”

Gabe couldn’t agree more, remembering the many times the man irked him and made him jealous.

“Where are you meeting Zach Jamison?”

“Coffee shop at the corner of O St. and 35th.” Beatrice told him the name.

“Okay, text me Ed’s number.”

“Will do. I gotta go.”

Gabe ended the call and looked over at Johnny. The man was quietly staring out the window, his face lined with pain.

“We’ll have someone look at your leg,” Gabe said.

“For what? I’m dead anyway.”

“You have any family around here?”

“No. In Florida.”

“You might want to visit them, lay low for a while.”

Johnny sighed. “I have a business, you know.”

“Yeah, right. You probably make more using your business as a front,” Gabe said. “It’s only a matter of time before they tie up loose ends and circle back to you.”

Johnny remained quiet for the rest of the trip.

Beatrice enteredthe coffee shop in Georgetown and spotted Zach Jamison immediately. She hadn’t met him outside the senator’s office since she visited his hospital room after the junkyard ambush.

He stood when he saw her, his face looked grave, unhappy. He tried to smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. His gaze drifted behind her. Seeing Ed, his mouth tightened.

Ed escorted her up to the table.

“Zach.” Beatrice held out her hand in greeting. Zach already knew Ed because he was the team lead on Senator Mendoza’s security detail. After the two men exchanged handshakes, Ed excused himself to scope out the area and vanished into the background.

“Everything all right, Beatrice? Where’s Sullivan?” Zach asked after a server came by and took her order.

“He had somewhere else he needed to be.”

“I hope I didn’t needlessly drag you out if you’re in danger,” Zach said anxiously. “What’s going on?”

“I’m fine. Just precautions. It happens sometimes with this job.”

“Is it because of our contract?’

“No.” Beatrice was uncomfortable with the questions. “Speaking of the contract, what happened between you and Nate?”

“He’s getting too intrusive to the point of offending some of our supporters,” Zach huffed indignantly.

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