Page 76 of Always Be True: Tino
“You mentioned you served in Vietnam.”
“That I did. I’ll share my photo album with you one of these days. You’d find it interesting. My son-in-law is a good man, but he has no frame of reference for what it was like over there for us. How much it hurt to have friends who never made it back. You’d understand better than most.”
Yeah, he would. “I’d be honored, sir.”
Cyrus turned away from the window. “Enough about that. The point is that I don’t come from money, and my granddaughter knows that. It’s never bothered her one damn bit. Can’t imagine your background would, either.”
“Point taken.”
“Good. She is stubborn, though. You’re going to have to work hard to earn her trust again.”
Tino laughed. “You’re not the first one to tell me that. A friend, who was a Seal, told me I should do some serious groveling. I would, but she won’t let me get close enough to try.”
“I’m guessing you’ve got your own fair measure of stubbornness. If she matters enough to you, you’ll find a way. I’d hate to think you’re like that idiot Benton. That fool let her hand back his ring and never lifted a finger to stop her. He thought she’d come running back just because he’s rich and good looking.” Cyrus sneered. “Like my Natalie would be satisfied with that.”
He pointed at Tino. “Thanks to her father’s mother, she’s got her own money, enough to last her a lifetime. What Natalie needs is a man who understands her, one who is strong enough to face the kind of crap life likes to throw at people. Benton will never be that man. You, on the other hand, just might be.”
Tino wasn’t sure what to say to that. Luckily, Cyrus didn’t seem to need a response. “Now, do you have time for another game before that danged woman barges in here and starts nagging me to take a nap?”
“I’ll make time, sir.” Feeling better than he had in days, Tino parked his ass at the chess table and finished setting up the board.
—
Tino would be out there again. She just knew it. Oh, that man thought he was being so darn clever, sneaking around to watch her walk out to her car on the two nights a week when she taught class and his team had practice. That didn’t explain why he’d also shown up on Saturday evening for escort duty after the work party ended even though he hadn’t been there to help during the day.
And then there was Monday, which wasn’t one of her regularly scheduled nights at the center. Several of her students had asked if there was a time when they could use the lab to take practice tests for their upcoming GED exams. Obviously, Tino had bribed someone into spying for him, because he’d been in his usual space, waiting and watching as she’d left the building.
He’d also sent her chocolates, and not just any old box of chocolates. No, they were handmade and her absolute favorites. Horribly expensive, too. The sneaky jerk obviously had someone from her inner circle on his side. She’d tried telling herself not to accept any gifts from him, but it would’ve been a crime to throw the chocolates away. Really. That was her excuse for indulging herself with a bubble bath and several of the delectable treats.
On her regular visit to her grandfather on Tuesday morning, Esther had let it slip that Tino and Cyrus had gotten together to play chess. She shouldn’t begrudge her grandfather a little fun, but she did. After all, how dare he stay friends with the man who’d ripped her heart out? Why was she the only one still mad at Tino?
Good question. Why was she?
To her surprise, Clarence was waiting for her at the door. “Thought I’d walk you out tonight, Miss Natalie.”
“That’s not necessary, Clarence.”
“Most nights it wouldn’t be.” He held the door open for her. “But your guardian angel called to say he was running late. He’d kick my old ass if I let you go waltzing out there by yourself. And before you say anything, I’d do the same thing for any woman leaving the building this late.”
“Fine.”
As they walked out of the center, it seemed extra dark outside. One reason was that the sky was cloudy, and no moonlight could get through. But she was pretty sure that learning that Tino wasn’t there also contributed to the gloom out in the parking lot.
It didn’t help that the city still hadn’t fixed the burned-out lights across the street. She’d be making a call about it first thing in the morning. If that didn’t get some action, she’d sic her grandfather on them. Cyrus had several of the city council members on speed dial. If they wanted his continued support, they’d get someone out there pronto.
“I’ll see what I can do about the broken streetlights tomorrow, Clarence. There’s no excuse for it taking the city so long to get them replaced.”
“I’ve called myself, but you can see how much good that has done.”
They walked behind her car just as three teenagers came strolling toward them from the direction of the basketball court. Her pulse did a stutter step when the tallest one stopped to stare at her. “Hey, guys, look who we have here.”
He glanced at his companions. “Luck is with us. This is the rich bitch who has been fancying up the center. I’m betting she can get us into the computer lab and save us the trouble of breaking in. We’ll grab those shiny new computers and be gone before anyone is the wiser.”
“There’s one problem with your plan.” Clarence stepped out from behind the car to put himself between her and the trio. “She’s not alone. Now, you three best get moving if you know what’s good for you, because I’m calling the police.”
“Old man, we’re not scared of you or the cops.”
As Clarence started to dial, the closest boy pulled a piece of pipe out of his bag and lunged forward to knock the phone from Clarence’s hand. One of the others made a grab for Natalie, but she swung her briefcase at him, making solid contact with his head. He cursed and retaliated with a hard blow to her cheek with the flat of his hand. The impact sent her stumbling back against the fender of her car.
