Shot in the Dark (Blackbridge Security #2) - Marie James Page 0,17
to go with? Jesus, I’m such a spaz.
Now I know how Deacon feels. Each time my boss walks into my office, Puff Daddy spits some ridiculous shit in his direction. I know the guy hates my bird, and I’m beginning to understand why.
“Have a nice day!”
“I see he’s finally learning some manners,” my boss says as he walks into my office.
“This motherfucker!” Puff squawks.
“Not really,” I complain. “What can I do for you, boss man?”
“Do you have plans this evening?”
“I am at your disposal,” I tell him, even though I already know where this is going.
“I need you to go see Anna.”
“Same as always?”
“Just from work to home.”
“You got it.”
See? I’m not the only guy up here with a penchant for stalking.
Even my boss is doing it.
Annalise Grimaldi, a long-time frenemy of his, needed help a couple months ago, and his ass ended up falling for her, but he’s too much of a coward to go tell her. So instead, when he isn’t available, he asks one of us to go keep an eye on her. Go see Anna translates into watch her leave work and make sure she gets into her building with no trouble.
The only excuse he has that makes his stalking just a little saner than what I’m doing is that she’s not a stranger and she and her best friend had some problems with some very bad Russians. He’s watching her “to keep her safe.”
“You know she has that thing coming up soon.”
“Thing?” he asks, but he doesn’t look the least bit impressed that I’m bringing her up out of the scope of agreeing to track her for half an hour.
“That gala or whatever. I still have her calendar linked up.”
“Just,” he scrubs his hand over the top of his head, “just go see Anna tonight for me.”
I give him a quick salute as he leaves, then spin back around and pull up the camera focused on Whitney jogging on the treadmill.
“Is that the sex toy girl?”
“Fuck. Don’t you people ever knock?”
I click the screen away which is pointless because he already busted me.
“The door was open,” Ignacio says as he hitches his thumb over his shoulder.
“Put your dick away!”
Now the damn bird decides to give a warning shout? He’s growing useless.
I don’t actually believe that because he was well received not long ago on the elevator, but he could be a little more consistent.
“Did you need something?” I turn to face Ignacio completely, wondering how he would’ve handled the situation on the elevator.
I know he would’ve been late for work because his charm, accent, and that smile I’ve seen him give women would’ve landed him in Whitney’s apartment with her probably screaming his name.
I grow even more irritated as he stands there just smiling at me, and the thought of him going after the girl I’m certain I’m falling for doesn’t help my mood.
“I wanted to see what you were doing for lunch.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “What?”
“Lunch. You know the meal in the middle of the day.”
“We never go to lunch together.”
It’s true. We’re normally all so busy, we just eat when we can. The breakroom is stocked with all types of food, and when we don’t feel like eating what’s available, we have something delivered.
“Are you telling me no?”
“Not exactly, but I am suspicious.”
We have a stare down, both of us watching the other without saying a word for long, drawn out moments.
“I spoke with Flynn.”
“Of course you did,” I mutter. Just like there’s no privacy around here; there are also no damn secrets.
“He said you’re in need of woman help.”
“I’m fine,” I lie, because I’ll never ask him what I should’ve done to at least secure a date before walking away from Whitney this morning. I know it was a missed opportunity, but I’ll never confess my lack of skill out loud.
“I figured I could give you a few pointers.”
“Shouldn’t Brooks be the one offering assistance?”
Brooks can charm the cotton panties off of a nun, but honestly, Ignacio isn’t very far behind him in skill.
“He’s busy. He’s on the schedule to help tomorrow.”
“There’s a fucking schedule?”
“We’re only here to help.”
“So there aren’t any side bets going?”
At least he looks a little sheepish for being called out.
“What’s the over under?”
“Finn, Gaige, and Jude think the first time you go out with your girl, you’ll fall on your face.”
“I can’t help it I’m a little clumsy,” I seethe. Why do they think I’m so good with computers? Do they honestly think people wake