Hennessey's Handler (Protect and Serve #4) - Pandora Pine Page 0,33

Kennedy what was going on. Since we were alone and no one was bothering us, I figured now was the best time to tell him what had been happening.

“I thought there was something going on with you.” Kennedy seemed to be sizing me up. “Is it Morrison? I can smooth the way if you’re looking to cut him loose.”

I shook my head. “No, nothing like that. I like him. I know it’s early days, but he’s a good guy.” I didn’t want to tell Kennedy too much about Morrison while Stan was plaguing me.

Kennedy’s eyes narrowed farther. “If it’s not Morrison, what is it?”

It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him to cut the shit. I had been certain Q had spilled my tale of woe, but I could tell from the look on Kennedy’s face that he had no clue. “Stan Randall is out of prison.”

“How is that possible? He had another five or six years left on his sentence. Is he dying and they let him out on a compassionate release? Couldn’t happen to a nicer bastard.” Kennedy fisted his hands on his hips.

“Good behavior,” I muttered, steeling myself for the second part of the tale. “It’s worse than him just being out. He’s here. Showed up at Bait last week, bold as fucking brass, threatening me.”

“He threatened you and this is the first I’m hearing of it?” Kennedy’s voice had gone soft. Never a good sign. “What the hell happened?”

I could see the anger bubbling up in him, so I decided to keep it short. “According to him, he’s here for the revenge he promised me. When we took the boat out yesterday, he was sitting on the dock in front of it, waiting for us. I have no idea how he knew our plans, but there he was.”

“Who’s his parole officer? I’ll call them tomorrow and have a little chat.” Kennedy cracked his knuckles.

“There is no parole officer. They let him out. He’s free as a bird.” Free to fly anywhere he’d like, yet he decided to come here.

Kennedy blew out what sounded like a frustrated breath. “The only thing to do is stalk you myself.”

“What?” My brother sounded like he was out of his tree. “What do you mean you’re going to stalk me?”

“Only in a manner of speaking. Call it a stakeout. I’ll post myself in places where you’re going to be and then trace him back to where he’s staying.”

“Is that legal?” I didn’t want the mistakes of my past to cost Kennedy his future. Aside from Gunnar, there was nothing he loved more than being a cop. I wouldn’t let him put his career in jeopardy.

Kennedy shrugged. “He threatened criminal acts against you. I’m just being proactive.”

“He’s had years to think about how to do this. Hell, he lived with other criminals. It must have been like a fucking master class for him.” Everyone he’d needed to network with lived in the same building. “We both know he’s not going to scare easily.”

“I don’t scare easily either.” Kennedy was in cop mode. His hard eyes glittered in the afternoon sunshine. That was a version of Kennedy I hoped to never meet when he was on duty.

“You have a job and a fiancé. A wedding to plan. You can’t spend all your free time on the downlow for me. I can handle this.”

Kennedy shot me an unreadable look. “He’s shown up twice in a week. He obviously knew where you were going to be. Either he’s tailing you twenty-four-seven or he’s got someone working with him.”

“I suppose that’s possible,” I muttered. It explained a lot, actually. I’d made plans to go fishing with Morrison long before Stan had walked into Bait, which brought up another uncomfortable thought. “Do you think someone at the bar is working for him?”

“I wouldn’t rule that out.” Kennedy sighed. “I know you pay competitive wages and split tips with the back of the house, but money talks, Hen. We both know that.”

“Yeah. I hear you.” Who the fuck was the snitch? Seth? Luis, the head chef? One of the dishwashers or sous chefs? Christ, now I was paranoid.

“I’ll get together with the others and see what they think. I’m sure they’ll all want to help, Q especially.” The only person scarier than Kennedy in cop mode was Quentin in combat mode.

I heard every word my brother was saying, but something else had caught my attention. I elbowed Kennedy to get him to turn around. Marching