than I have in all the years I’ve been working for Cerberus, and I can’t say that I’ve enjoyed our interactions.
“Do you really think I’m going to attack him when they come out?” He grins at me, his shoulders hitching up in a shrug. “It would be much easier to hurt him while we’re at the clubhouse.”
“He’s rarely at the clubhouse.”
My hand is on the door lever. “And just how the fuck do you know that? Are you following her? Maybe you’re the psycho stalker.”
“I have a couple guys that keep an eye on her. They drive by her apartment. They noticed Alexander’s SUV parked out front.”
“That’s fucking creepy, man.”
“No creepier than you sitting in your truck while they shop.”
I bite the inside of my lip because the fucker has a point. What he’s not taking into consideration is I’ve been inside of that woman numerous times. There was a real chance she was going to have my baby. He better not be able to say the same.
“Is there something you need to tell me?”
He doesn’t get that hint of fear in his eyes most people do when I level them with a harsh stare.
“Just know that she’s got people looking out for her. I owe it to her.”
I feel a twinge of guilt with his words. Alison’s death is still fresh for him and getting over that guilt may never happen.
“We appreciate it. Seriously.”
“Stay safe,” he says just before picking up his radio and letting dispatch know his break is over.
“Yeah, you too,” I say as he drives away.
Right away I roll up my window and crank the air conditioner higher. It’s over a hundred today, and the heat makes me wonder if Simone has had enough to drink.
Right as I’ve convinced myself I need to take her a bottle of water, breaking my vow to keep my distance, I see the lights on the SUV flash. Jinx has cranked it from the remote starter so it’ll cool before they come back out. It’s an additional ten minutes before they emerge from the store. Even with Jinx’s arms weighed down by several bags, he still manages to open her door for her and help her inside.
Only when he places the bags in the back and closes the hatch, he doesn’t climb inside with her. I groan with frustration when he walks across the lot, directly toward me.
Just like with Detective Matthews, I pause a minute with him standing outside my window before lowering the glass. I don’t act surprised to see him, just like he doesn’t question why I’m here. He spotted me backing in when he climbed out earlier, just like he spots me in the parking lot every morning when he leaves for his run. Some days we run together, ending with him going inside to shower and me waiting an hour before heading back to the clubhouse to bathe.
“Did you convince her to get the black set?”
Jinx grins as he leans in the window, letting the cool air-conditioning blow on his face. You see, I’m not the only one to have made a visit to this fucking store.
“She wanted to get furniture at Target.”
“I told you she would.”
“I think mentioning the organic aspect helped her accept it easier, so thanks for that.”
I mentioned he talks a lot about what he’s learned right? I don’t know how many conversations we’ve had in the parking lot at Jake’s. I’ve refused to go inside, but he hangs out with me when there are other guys inside to keep an eye on her. We’ve been doing our best not to make her feel smothered.
“You don’t think this is getting a little creepy?”
I don’t answer him. He knows I know how weird it is for me to be acting this way.
“She has a counseling appointment this afternoon.”
“Finally answered Dr. Alverez’s call?”
“Yeah.” He clamps his hand on the back of his neck, and I know it means he has more to say, but his mouth stays clamped closed.
Cerberus also uses Dr. Alverez’s services. She’s the best in town, and I’m glad Simone is going back to see her.
“I have a date tonight. Think you can stay with her?”
I don’t pull my eyes from the back of his SUV.
“That’s not a good idea.”
“Thanks, man.”
The asshole just walks away, knowing that the distance I’ve put between Simone and me has only made things worse.
Chapter 24
Simone
I can admit when I’m wrong. I may not open my mouth and say it out loud but going to