Page 85 of Savage Ruin
“If you think I’m letting you go without me, you’ve lost your beautiful mind,” Thiago spits out, his hands on his hips.
He’s absolutely serious, and I don’t want to go without him.
“Do you think Mitch has an extra uniform?” I wonder aloud. “How about you and Mitch at the coffee shop. Two others on the SUV? Will that work?”
He thinks about it for a minute. “Three on the SUV.”
“Deal. Should we seal it with a kiss?” I tease him.
CHAPTER39
HENLEY
Vice City Coffee is a happening local joint. Modern looking with an industrial vibe thanks to its concrete floors and exposed ceiling. It’s busy this morning with people popping in and out on their way to work. A few sit down at the tables or grab a quick bite at the bar seating by the window, but not many.
I order a cortado and an egg sandwich, not that I’m going to eat it, but I need an excuse to sit here for a while. David isn’t coming until eight, but Thiago thought it best to arrive early so we’re not seen together. I tap the button on the side of my phone. Seven fifty-six.
My eyes dart to the man sitting on my right wearing camo and a fierce expression on his face. Mitch really isn’t happy Thiago has joined his security team. From the corner of the shop, Thiago raises his mug and gives me a smirk. Instead of the typical security uniform, he’s gone undercover in running shorts, hat, and black tank. He worried two large men in camo might cause someone to call the police.
The girl cleaning the tables swings by my table. “Do you need anything?” she asks nervously.
I pick up my coffee and take a sip. “No, it’s delicious. Just planning my day.”
She leans in closer and whispers, “If you want to move to a table closer to the register, I’d be happy to help you.” Her eyes dart to Mitch.
“He looks a little dangerous,” I murmur and almost laugh when she shakes her head vigorously. I crook my finger to bring her closer. “Do you think he’d ask me out? I could do with a little excitement in my life.”
Her eyes widen. She sneaks a glance at him, then me. “Go for it. You never know.” Smiling at the two of us, she leaves a little more relaxed than when she came over.
Mitch grunts at my shenanigans and takes a drink of his water. “Two o’clock.”
David’s standing by the door in casual business attire, looking like every other commuter on their way to work. He grabs a coffee to go and a cream cheese Danish, then sits across from me.
Conscious of the ears around us, I keep the conversation neutral. “Philip is staying with us until everything is settled. We offered to send you both off in exchange for some information.”
He swallows. “If I can’t help you?”
“It would be a shame to let him go down alone. It would be almost like prison,” I say lightly. Or exactly like prison.
He clears his throat. “He’s only in this mess because of me. When I was in college, I did something incredibly stupid. I stole someone else’s work and published it as my own. A professor caught me. Instead of turning me in, he used me to steal more. I thought it would end after college, but it was only the beginning.”
The table starts rattling, and I peer over the side. His leg is bouncing wildly. It suddenly stops.
He smiles sheepishly. “Sorry. When my mother died a couple years back, I found Philip’s contact information in her files. I wanted to know what he was like and reached out. I’m sure he’s regretted it ever since,” he says derisively.
I study him, but other than his obvious nervousness, I can’t tell if he’s sincere or spouting a bunch of half-truths. “Philip’s first concern when we spoke to him yesterday was you. He wants a fresh start for you.”
A genuine smile breaks out on his face. Maybe he really cares for Philip.
I tap on the table and lower my voice. “The professor. You know he’s a stalker, right?”
He shifts forward with a grimace. “That’s kind of my fault. He set up surveillance in my dorm room without me knowing, probably to make sure I didn’t go to the authorities. When you and I started dating, he became obsessed with you. Or your mind. It’s hard to tell with him. I knew it was bad, though, because you were all he talked about. I broke up with you to save you. It had the opposite effect. Without the daily video feed, he started actively stalking you.”
A stupid coincidence or a convenient lie? It doesn’t matter. I need two things right now. “Address?”
He pulls out a piece of paper from his sports coat. “This is his.”
“How did your two bosses meet?” I ask nonchalantly.
