Page 85 of Colton Family Bodyguard (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

She didn’t take it. Instead, she studied him before saying, “Last night was beautiful.”

Beautiful.

He had other words come to mind. Scorching hot. Heart-wrenching, in a really good way.

“I am happy with just that, Callum,” she said. “Don’t feel pressured. I know you have been through a lot. I’ll be all right no matter what happens. Evie will be, too, because she has me.”

The truth of what she said penetrated deep into him. Hazel would never push him. She wanted him for who he was and nothing less. She cared about him, his happiness above all else. He wanted to give that to her, as well. All of him. But he still felt so broken. So injured. A woman like her deserved the whole man.

He slid his hand behind her head, gently, then stepped close. Kissing her, he hoped she understood the unspoken message, how amazing and charitable she was.

When he drew back she put her forefinger over his lips as though sealing the kiss. “Let’s go catch that bad guy.”

“Hazel...”

“Shh.” She lowered her hand. “None of that now. Let’s go.”

He took a moment to enjoy how beautiful she was and how sexy in that biker-woman disguise. “I must be a fool.”

She put her pointer finger on his upper chest and ran it down to the waist of his pants. Then her striking eyes looked up at him. “You could never be a fool, Callum Colton. You just need to let go of past pain. I only hope I’m still in your life when you do.”

She looked into his eyes, angling her head and assessing him. After she must have learned what she needed to from peering into his eyes, she turned and headed for the suite’s entrance.

Rather than take a hired car, Callum called a cab. That would be less conspicuous. On the way, Callum phoned Kerry to let her know about their visit. She wasn’t happy with their planning something like that on their own and on such short notice, but she said she’d assemble a team to wait in unmarked cars in the parking lot. She’d also send a plainclothes cop inside in case anything went wrong.

A short drive later, they reached the bar. Callum made sure no one saw them as they left the cab.

He guided Hazel into Joe’s. After being seated they settled in to have an evening together, covertly surveying everyone there.

It was much the same as the last time they were there. Dim and dirty.

And the same biker crowd was at the pool table.

All appeared calm, until Callum noticed a redheaded waitress who kept looking behind her and all around the bar.

“Did you see that redhead last time we were here?” he asked Hazel.

She looked around the bar and zeroed in on the other woman. “No.”

Hazel moved closer to him. “Might as well look the part.”

“Careful.”

“Of what?” She leaned in, her breast pressing against his side.

“Of more.” He could have elaborated but he didn’t.

“You should give in. You have no control over this. I realized that after last night.”

She was sure being bold. Yes, last night had been earth-shattering. He couldn’t face that right now.

“Let’s get rid of this killer and then deal with that, okay?”

She smiled wide and bright. “Okay.” Then she turned to survey the bar, covertly watching the redhead serve beers to a table of raucous men.

“She’s wearing a wedding ring,” Callum said. He looked at the other female workers. There were only two and neither wore a ring. If the killer had murdered Nate Blurge for flirting with his wife, he might have shown up tonight to keep an eye on her.

“The woman who served us last time didn’t have one,” Hazel said.

---