Page 20 of Smoldering Nights
Then the bacon popped and broke the moment.She smiled and shrugged.
She turned back to cooking breakfast, her heart fluttering like she was sixteen again, and her cheeks heated and likely pink.When they sat down to eat a few minutes later, it felt oddly domestic.Like a routine they’d done a dozen times.
Halfway through breakfast, Mitch’s phone buzzed.He glanced at the screen and his expression hardened.
She set her fork on her plate and waited, trying to remember to breathe.It wasn't any of her business what this message was about, but curiosity coursed through her.And of course, since he was heavily ingrained in her protection, and the scowl on his face, she worried it wasn't good news, and it affected her.
He looked up at her.“Rayburn was spotted in Summerville this morning.Near the edge of town.He matches the build of the man who came to the house last night.”
Her spine stiffened, and she sat up straighter.“He’s still nearby?”
“Which means we’re close,” Mitch said.“And he’s getting desperate.”
She swallowed hard.“I don't know how to feel about that.What should I do with this knowledge?”
Mitch reached across the table and took her hand.His grip was warm, steady, and strong.
“We stay smart.We stay alert.And we don’t let him win.”
Her heartbeat increased, and she had a hard time swallowing.She was safe here, but that man, a man she didn't even know, was after her for some reason.It seemed so implausible that Delilah Parker would stoop to something so dirty for property.
Mitch stared at her for a long time."You're safe here."
"I know.I just can't get past the fact that Delilah would be willing to kill me for my shop.If I die, she won't have the chance to get it.It goes to my sister, Iris, who lives in Georgia.And Delilah doesn't have the money to buy it from her.So I honestly don't understand the game plan."
"Sometimes these things don't have a reasonable explanation.And we aren't sure it's Delilah, though no other suspect has shown themselves yet."
"Right."She took a deep breath and stood from the table.Setting her plate in the dishwasher, she busied herself with kitchen tasks.Clearing the table, rinsing the dishes and placing them in the dishwasher, all things to keep her busy.
Mitch stiffly stood from the table."I'm going in to take a shower and get ready to meet, Jayson, my employee, to help me out with the installation of your security system.You're welcome to stay here while we install."
"No.I'd like to go and begin cleaning things up."
He nodded.Then he smiled at her, and her heartbeat went wild.Handsome.He was incredibly handsome.And her cheeks heated as she stared at his lips and wondered what they'd feel like against hers.
Chapter9
Mitch stepped under the hot spray and exhaled slowly, letting the water loosen the tension riding high in his shoulders and the soreness in his ribs.They still ached, the tight bandage barely keeping the pain at bay, but it was nothing compared to the heaviness in his chest.
Izzy.
He hadn’t expected her to get under his skin so fast.But there she was, tugging at him with every word, every look, every damn breath she took.Last night, she’d curled up in his guest bed like she finally let herself exhale.This morning, she stood in his kitchen like she belonged there.Like this was normal.
He hadn’t realized how much he missed normal until now.His heart ached again, and he resisted the urge to rethink his past and the mistakes he'd made, but he failed.The relationships he could have had but chose to ignore because he didn't want to be tied down.His life in the military had been filled with friends and occasional one-nighters.That was less messy.Less anchoring.He could put in for a transfer when he wanted.If a great job assignment came his way, he took it without having to clear it with someone else.He'd liked it that way.But now, it seemed lonely and self-centered.He’d met women in his life he thought he could make a life with, but then he’d hear of a friend divorcing, or a bad breakup, especially in the military, transfers happened on the regular.Shit happened, and frankly, the things they saw changed a person.He never wanted to bring that shit home to someone else.His father used to say, “A strong man deals with his shit on his own.You don’t bring shit home to your family.”In Mitch’s mind, it was simply easier not to have a family.His brothers, Dakin and Austin, had a marriage and a divorce each.He’d talked them through the harsh times, and he always thought – that’s not for me.
He turned off the water, dried off quickly, and tugged on jeans and a fresh T-shirt.His movements were stiff, and the rib wrap dug into his side, but the adrenaline of the morning and the coming work dulled the edge.Rayburn was near.That meant things were about to escalate, and he needed to be ready.
When he stepped back into the main room, Izzy was already dressed and waiting by the door.Her hair was pulled into a loose bun, and a purse was slung over one shoulder.Her eyes met his, and there was a flicker of hesitation, concern, maybe, but she didn’t voice it.And he realized just how strong this woman was.Sure, she'd shed a few tears.Who wouldn't?But here she stood, knowing someone was after her and still more worried about her customers than herself.She wasn't self-centered.He didn't deserve to be with someone as good as she was.They were polar opposites.
She said, “You sure you’re okay to do this today?”
He grabbed his keys from the drawer near the door and offered her a small smile.“I’ve done worse with less.”
“That’s not comforting,” she muttered.
He chuckled.“Come on.Jayson’s meeting us there.We’ll get it done fast.”
They rode in silence for a few blocks.Mitch kept his eyes moving, scanning every alley, every driveway, every unfamiliar car.Izzy did the same.Rayburn's rap sheet said he had experience.If he’d been at Sadie’s last night, he might be watching for another opportunity.Mitch hoped by leaving Izzy's van at the shop, Rayburn would think she was there and make a mistake or question where she was and hang around, which would be a mistake.Either way, it gave Mitch a slight edge.Never pass up an edge.
