Page 22 of Tapped

“DEA,” I announce myself with a warning. “Hands where I can see them on the steering wheel.”

He turns his tired eyes to me and slowly raises his hands. “I’ve got my concealed carry and a PI license. I’m hired to watch this house. You put that gun down, I’ll show you.”

I shake my head even though I know this guy is most likely the hired security. He’s got a weapon sitting at his feet, and I’m no idiot. “You can show me after you get out and step away from the car. Now.”

His stare hangs between us as heavy as the humid blanket of late summer air. He moves slowly and flips the handle. I take a step back and make room for him.

He stands in front of me and frowns. “Happy?”

“Fucking euphoric. Shut the door and step away from the car.”

He shakes his head and follows orders while keeping his hands in the air. “Dude, chill.”

My brows rise. “Chill? You want me to chill. If you are who you said you are and were hired to watch this house, you were sleeping on the job. Don’t tell me to chill, and you definitely don’t need to chill. You need to wake the fuck up.”

He lowers his voice. “Can I get my ID so you can get that gun out of my face?”

“Turn around, put your hands on the hood, and spread your feet.” He rolls his eyes and complies. I pat him down. “Show me your ID and PI license that should be revoked for sleeping on the job. You’re not investigating anything anyway.”

He reaches into his back pocket, slides two IDs out of his wallet, and hands them over. “See? Legit.”

I hand them back and glare down at him. “You were asleep.”

He frowns and throws a glance left and right. “This is the swankiest neighborhood in the best part of town. Nothing’s going down here.”

I slide my gun back into the holster on my waistband. “Do you even know why you’re here?”

He shakes his head. “I mean, she and her husband are separated. It’s got to be some lovers spat, and her brother doesn’t want the guy near his little sister.”

I cross my arms and can’t believe what I’m doing. I have no business adding anything to my work load, even if it is for one night. I also have no business sticking my nose into someone else’s drama.

But I can’t help it.

I level my stare on him. “You’re fired.”

His complacency dissipates into thin air. “What?! You can’t fire me.”

“Watch me.”

“But I don’t work for you.”

“And now you don’t work for the doctor either. You’re being paid to watch her house, and you were asleep. You had one job, and you failed. Get in your car and go.”

“No,” he spits. “I don’t work for the doctor—I work for her father’s company. I’m not leaving.”

“Then I’ll be curious how your employer feels when he finds out you weren’t doing everything you could to make sure his daughter is safe.”

He throws a hand toward the house that’s lit up by a million landscaping lights, but besides that, it’s dark. “Everything is fine.”

“If you don’t get in your car and leave this minute, I’ll call BioNova myself.”

He points to the house. “But what about her?”

I pull in a swift breath and let it out slowly. “I’ll take care of her. If you want to preserve your job, I suggest you do as I say and get the hell out of this neighborhood.”

He drags a hand through his hair and is trying to figure out how to preserve his paycheck. “You promise?”

No fucking way. I’m calling BioNova first thing in the morning. “I’ll call now if you don’t leave.”

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