Page 72 of Deadly Lineage
I contemplated that and shook my head. “I doubt it was anyone you met today. The plate was reported stolen weeks ago, so that doesn’t fit. Besides, I doubt anyone would go to that level of subterfuge.”
Boone’s gaze connected with mine. “I can think of one previous client.”
“Fucking hell. Bartholomew Livingston.”
“Good ol’ Bart. Jackass.” Boone pushed his hair away from his face. “You think it was him and his goon squad that tried to break into my house the other day?”
I thought it more than possible. “I think Mr. Livingston is doing a fine job of remaining my number one suspect.”
Boone barked out a laugh before settling. When he did, his posture was more relaxed. “If it was him, I’m not sure what he hoped to accomplish by following me today.”
I wasn’t certain either, but I didn’t like the implications. “You can learn a lot from following someone. You can learn their habits, their typical routes, when they’re alone, when they’re the most vulnerable… I think you get my point.”
With a curt nod, Boone answered, “I believe so. I can’t say I like your point, but I get it.”
I didn’t win a lot of congeniality contests. In my profession, one couldn’t afford to simply beniceand tell someone what they wanted to hear. Honesty was my bread and butter. It had to be.
There was another possibility, one that scared me more than Livingston’s involvement. Swallowing hard, I didn’t want to utter my next words, but honesty compelled me to. Besides, keeping Boone in the dark wasn’t conducive to keeping him safe.
“It could be our killer.”
Boone’s body stilled. “Why do you think that?”
“I’m not certain I do. It’s only a possibility. Your father’s right to be concerned. Maybe you’re not on the serial killer’s radar. Maybe they have no idea you’re involved. I pray that’s the case, but I can’t rely on prayer alone.” I’d been raised with the belief that God helped those who helped themselves. It was a mantra I lived by.
Boone’s foot tapped nervously. His fingers twisted within his t-shirt, knotting the fabric. “I’m not sure what to do with that.”
As much as I hated to suggest it, I said, “Maybe you should take that trip to Cali.”
Boone’s head snapped up and his wide eyes narrowed viciously. “I’m not cutting and running.”
Pride. It was a damnable thing. It was also dangerous. “I don’t think anyone would consider it that.”
Boone’s head tilted to the side. A flash of something close to pain made his green eyes flare momentarily. “Are you trying to get rid of me?” A well of insecurity flooded those brief words.
“Get rid of you?” I shook my head vehemently. “Never. God, Boone.Getting rid of youis the very last thing I want to do. What Idowant to do is keep you safe—and quite frankly, right now, I have no idea how to do that.” It hurt to say. It hurt a lot.
Tension eased from Boone’s shoulders, rounding them and softening his posture. “Okay. Sorry. I jumped to conclusions.”
“You did.” I wasn’t sure I could hold it against him though. Not many could see past Boone’s species. As far as I was concerned, it was their damn loss and my impossible gain.
“Sorry,” Boone apologized.
“It’s okay.” I wasn’t certain that was true, but it was good enough for now. “I don’t suppose Aurelia showed up during your latest adventure?”
“Nope. She was MIA. I don’t think she has any kind of link with me. I mean, there’s no bat signal that magically goes out to her when someone is fucking with me. She just happened to be at the house when those assholes were trying to break in. It’s totally random.”
I frowned while I considered Boone’s words. “Does it have to be?”
“Does it have to be what?”
“Random. Is there a way you could contact Aurelia and let her know you’re in trouble?” This conversation had just gone into surreal mode. Was I really about to ask Boone if he could ask the nice djinn to have his back? Yeah, it looked that way.
Boone’s face scrunched. “I’m not sure she’d come.”
That wasn’t a no. “But you could contact her?”
He shrugged. “I don’t see why not. I could ask Pops to make a charm. If Aurelia wanted, she could hang on to one part of it while I had the other. As long as I was physically capable of activating it, she’d get the message. She wouldn’t know what was wrong, just that something was up. But like I said, I don’t know that Aurelia would come riding in on her white horse.” Boone scratched his cheek. “She’s a bit unpredictable.”
