Page 160 of King of Pain
I offer a tight smile.
“Hi. Uh...what’s your name?”
He pulls off the sunglasses, revealing sharp green eyes. “Deacon, sir.”
I lean my forearms on the edge of the window and shake my head. “Not ‘sir’—Just Anthony. And... there’s no need to watch over me anymore.”
Deacon gives the smallest of nods, professional to the core. Still, there’s the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“Thank you, though. You’re good at your job. I’ll make sure Chance sends you on a nice, long vacation.”
He chuckles lowly and slips his sunglasses back on.
“I’ll wait for my orders. Pleasure, Anthony.”
I pat the side of the SUV and step back.
Deacon rolls the window up but doesn't pull away.
When I turn back around, Chance is standing on the sidewalk looking like the world’s guiltiest golden retriever. His hands are buried in his pockets, and there’s a sheepish grin plastered on his stupidly gorgeous face.
I level him with a look, arms crossed.
“What?” he says, throwing his hands up. “I have no remorse over that either.”
I can’t even be mad. I just shake my head, trying to fight the smile threatening to split my face in two.
“Come on, stalker.” I jerk my head toward the restaurant doors. “Let’s get you some pancakes before you do something else insane.”
Chance jogs a few steps to catch up, slipping his hand into mine again before we walk inside.
We’re seated in a booth near the window, and the second the hostess drops off our menus and walks away, I shoot Chance a glare over the top of my menu.
He just shrugs, shameless. “What?”
I narrow my eyes.
“I’m not apologizing,” he says, smugly. “I told you—I needed to be sure you were safe.”
I scoff. “You could’ve at least had one of them tell me they were muscle working for you.”
He tilts his head, eyes twinkling. “Where’s the fun in that?” I roll my eyes, still fighting the smile that wants to break loose.
The waitress appears with two mugs, a carafe of coffee, and a practiced smile. “Good morning, gentlemen. Have you dined with us before?”
“I have,” I say, glancing up at her. “He hasn’t.”
Chance nods, returning her smile. “First time.”
“Great. Then you’re in for a treat. Any idea what you’d like?”
I close my menu and hand it to her. “We’ll both have the eggs benedict. Extra crispy on the potatoes.”
She scribbles it down. “You got it. I’ll put this right in for you.”
Once she walks away, Chance busies himself filling our coffees.
Nice try.
