Page 86 of Wicked Roses

I twist my torso and wave at him to signal it’s okay. “I know him! Work colleague!”

Stitches’s eyes narrow, his glare still suspicious. He doesn’t trust Chadwick as far as he could throw him, but he refrains from interfering any further, trailing closely behind us.

I shoot Chadwick a disgruntled glare of my own. “Are you watching me? How’d you find me?Whyare you here?”

“Geez, Delphi, is there a reason you’re being so hostile? Am I not allowed to talk to you anymore? Ishegoing to come up and accost me again?”

He’s referencing Salvatore—and the night weeks ago when I’d finally gone on a date with him, just to have Salvatore show up and cut it short.

“I’m not getting in the middle of it,” I puff out, my breath freezing in front of me. I pick up my pace in hopes I’ll tire Chadwick out and he’ll give up. Unfortunately, his strides are longer than mine, which means he doesn’t have to push as hard to keep in sync with me.

“You haven’t returned my calls.”

“I’ve been busy.”

“Brenda told me you’ve taken five weeks off work.”

“So what? I don’t owe you an explanation, Chadwick. I’m guessing she also told you how to find me?”

He nods. “She said you run on Saturday mornings around this time. I figured you’d do it at Northam City Park—don’t be mad at her. She didn’t know you’re ignoring me. You didn’t tell her about our date, did you?”

“Why would I? It wasonedinner.”

“We’re supposed to be friends.”

“I can’t talk right now! You’re throwing off my pacing.” I glance down at my smart watch and notice my numbers have shifted.

Chadwick gulps down more air, though he sticks by my side. “I wouldn’t have to chase you down on running trails if you answered my calls. How about lunch? We can talk—”

“I’m not interested,” I interrupt curtly.

It may come across as rude, but I’ve done enough tiptoeing around Chadwick’s feelings.

“You’re seeing him again, aren’t you? Mancino.”

I stop altogether, turning to face him. “Chadwick, this is the last time I’m addressing the subject. None of what I do is any of your concern. I’m not interested in you in that way. I’m sorry I went out to dinner with you—I probably shouldn’t have. But I’mnotinterested, okay? My lack of interest in you has nothing to do with him.”

“But youareseeing him again?” He massages his side as if to get rid of a stitch. Disappointment drips from his voice and the breathless expression on his face. “Is that what you’ve been doing with your off time?”

My smart watch interrupts me before I can answer. I’ve received a text from Cade, my friend in the Cyber Crimes department.

Did some more digging on what happened w/ Doukas. BIG discovery. Are u able to meet at city hall? Let me know as soon as u can.

“What is it?” Chadwick asks, watching me. “What’s wrong?”

I ignore him for a second as I look over my shoulder. Stitches has parked and is getting out of his car. Judging by his scowl and fast walk toward us he’s had enough of Chadwick following me around. He’s probably decided Salvatore would want him to cut off the interaction.

“I need to go by city hall,” I say. “I was having Cade look into something for me.”

“Alright, pal, time for you to scram!” Stitches yells. He’s in full mafia tough guy mode as he marches up, which for Stitches isn’t very intimidating, but Chadwick’s easily frazzled. He jabs a finger in his chest and walks him backward. “You’ve had enough time to chat. The lady’s trying to run. Get lost!”

Chadwick’s eyes bulge and he holds up his hands. “Don’t hurt me! Wait, are you one ofhisguys? Delphine, are you crazy? You have his men following you?”

“Chadwick, leave!” I snap impatiently. I round on Stitches. “Can you take me by city hall?”

“Sure thing, Miss ADA. Hop in.”

Stitches guides me toward his car, but not without throwing one last disgruntled glare at Chadwick. We leave him standing in the middle of the park trail gawking after us. Knowing Chadwick, he won’t stay away for long. Three years of attending law school with him taught me this.

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