Page 31 of Tossed into the Mob
“Okay.” He slung the pack over his shoulder and crossed his arms.
“But first I have to kidnap you.”
His eyes lit up, and I quickly pulled up the next card. It read, “I’ve heard that’s what people do…”
And the next one finished the sentence with “…when you want to get someone’s attention.”
He smirked. “Is that so?”
We walked toward one another, and he tucked his arm in mine. It was like we’d never been apart. He took a deep breath. “You still have magic in your touch. But I have to ask, what is that scent? Because you should bottle it. You’d make a million bucks.”
“It’s just the same old me.” He’d never commented on my scent before. “Lunch?”
“Sure, but how did you know where I was?”
I tapped my nose. “I have my ways.”
He giggled. He seemed so much lighter than when we last met. And I wasn’t referring to his weight, but he’d thrown off not only the grief but the confusion and fear. It wasn’t surprising. His dad was alive, and the gunman was dead. But I did worry that guilt about killing Riggs might fester.
“Let me guess. Flint, probably. Or perhaps Grandpa Arnie.”
Awww, he wasn’t aware he was my mate and yet assigning Grandpa that title came with a dose of affection.
He glanced around and then peeked under my car. “Just checking Ranger isn’t holed up under there.”
“Nope. It was mydadwho told me.”
“Whoa? You threw me a curveball. How does he fit into the La Luna Noir picture?”
I decided to tell him in the car before we ate and hopefully it wouldn’t bring up bad memories. Watching his reaction as I ran through the sequence of what led him to the hospital parking garage that night, I dug my nails into my palm, hoping he wouldn’t think badly of the family.
“You did say they meddled a lot, but this was taking it to the next level.” He didn’t sound angry, but all I could focus on was his scent that was taunting me. I’d forgotten how hard it was to resist him when we were in a confined space.
“Talk about full circle.”
I started the car. My mate’s life might have righted itself, but I wanted to start creating positive memories of us together.
“Where are we going?”
“We’re across the country from Durand territory where Grandpa owns a food truck, but I thought it might be great if we could eat at one.”
Ranger and Matt had an infamous meeting at a food truck in the rain, but today was sunny and me kidnapping Brock was fake.
“Yum. I can’t wait.” His gaze lingered on me before dropping lower. Whoa. Did he check out my crotch?
Keep your eyes on the road.
“It’s in the open, so there's plenty of fresh air, delicious food, and hopefully good company.”
“I thought you might have been taking me to a trailer?” He smirked. “That would be poetic justice.”
“There are no trailers in your future.”
“Oh. I was kinda hoping there might be.”
I couldn’t figure out if that was a joke.
“I have a confession.” Brock was looking out the window.
