Page 19 of Shifter For Hire (For Hire 2)

“Lachelle.”

“Is that a warning in your tone?” She ducked under his arm and strolled over to the nightstand beside her bed. In two seconds, she held the gun she had a license to carry. “Am I supposed to be scared of you, Skip? Because you’ve got the wrong woman if that’s what you think.”

All the anger he displayed a second ago drained away. “We’re at that point?”

“Yeah, we are. You’re not going to threaten me by punching my wall or with your tone. I told you about my background when we met. Maybe you thought the party girl attitude I show was all there was to me. I get that. But I’ve been real with you about my ex being a cop and about how I had hoped to join the force with him.”

“You never mentioned signing up again.” She heard the resentment in his tone.

“Fair enough.”

“You’re not going to apologize?”

“Why should I? I don’t remember you mentioning your obsession with mythical creatures.”

“You don’t believe me.”

“Goodnight, Skip.”

He appeared to think over her invitation to get out of her apartment, but with her holding a gun, he must have come to the conclusion it wasn’t worth it to try to intimidate her. In a few minutes, she was alone, and she dropped onto her bed.

So now what? She’d put off Gerard, saying she would call him when she got a chance. Should she contact him?

“If I want to know the truth, I will.”

With the decision made, she used the number Gerard gave her and waited as it rang.

“Barry’s Pizza and Spaghetti. How may I help you?”

She frowned. “Um, I think I might have the wrong number. I thought this was my friend’s number. Sorry to waste your time.”

“Gerard?”

“Yeah, how did you know?”

“I know him. Hang on. I’ll see if he’s around.”

Around? Who in the heck didn’t have a cell phone in this day and age and gave out the number to a pizza restaurant for contact?

Gerard came on the line after a few moments. “Janessa.”

“Don’t tell me you flip pizzas as your side job?”

“No.”

She waited for more, but got nothing. “Why don’t you meet me tonight so we can have that talk?”

“Yes, that sounds like a good idea. There’s a coffee shop on—”

“No, I want to dance to let off some steam. You can join me at my favorite club or meet me later. Your choice.”

“I don’t dance.”

She laughed. “Fine. See you after, but it’s going to be late.”

They made arrangements to meet, and Lachelle disconnected the call. The sooner she lost herself in a good beat the better. The week had already been far too long.

Chapter 8

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