Without Fear - Reese Knightley Page 0,7
said, smiling softly. “I owe him everything. He’s the reason I am the man I am today.”
“He sounds like a great guy.”
“He is.” He swallowed past the lump in his throat.
“So…” Justin cocked his head to the side as if something had dawned on him. “When you showed up at my café last year, had you been abused by your boyfriend?”
“No.” He looked away. He’d just returned from a grueling training exercise that Frank had insisted he attend.
“But you led me to think you were.” Justin sounded hurt.
“I’m sorry.” He turned back to Justin and fiercely said, “I can’t tell you how sorry I am about that. It just seemed safer.”
“So, what were the bruises from?”
“Let’s just say, I was learning to kick some ass.” He gave a small smirk and rubbed at his jaw.
“So, you could kick Tony Siegel’s ass?”
Macy sighed. “Sort of.”
“You’re hiding here in Crumpet, aren’t you?” Justin demanded.
He stared at Justin. Damn it. “Yeah.” The word seemed like a safe one. Telling Justin more wasn’t a good idea. His friend already knew too much.
“Why here?” Justin sighed and sat back in his chair.
“I knew that by assuming my Finch name again, I could lay low here.”
“And you’re positive you can’t tell me why?”
“Not yet,” he said firmly. “I’m sorry I misled you, but the less you know, the better.”
“I wish you could tell me everything.”
“I’m not even supposed to be telling you as little as I have and if you hadn’t overheard me on the phone, I wouldn’t have told you any of it,” he admitted, squeezing Justin’s fingers when his friend gave a sad sigh.
Shoving away from the table, Macy rinsed his mug under warm water and placed it in the drainer before drying his hands.
“From what I can guess, you’re undercover in the FBI and your stepfather, Tony Siegel, has something to do with the reason you’re hiding.”
Shit! He whirled around and gaped at Justin.
“I’m not stupid. I took a guess about the Tony Siegel part.” Justin gave him a smug look and then suddenly squinted. “You’ve got your bachelor’s degree in criminology.”
Justin pointed to the desk in the corner off of the kitchen where Macy had proudly displayed his degrees. So much for being stealthy.
Justin stood and walked over to the display. “With what you just told me, it was easy to put two and two together. The date on your degree says you were what, twenty-three at that time? That’s a good four years to do something with your life.” Justin tossed him another look.
He wiped his hands on the dish towel, carefully watching Justin.
“Do you know self-defense?”
“Bitch, please.” Macy slapped the towel down and placed his hands on his hips. “I could take down Logan if I wanted.”
“Seriously?” Justin’s eyes bugged out.
“Well, he might give me a run for my money, but I have my ways,” he laughed with a brow waggle.
“I knew it!”
Macy put a finger to his lips and Justin nodded with a grin and whispered, “Does Logan know that you work for the FBI?”
“No,” he hissed just as quietly and his eyes went wide. The last thing he needed was a nosey bodyguard all up in his undercover business. Although, having Logan Cobalt all up in some of his things didn’t sound half bad at all.
“And you need to keep this to yourself.” He tossed a look out the kitchen window because he was paranoid like that and turned back to his friend.
Justin held up his hands when he glared.
“I will! I just wondered if you’d told Logan more than me.”
“I haven’t told him anything. You know more than anyone.”
Justin’s smile grew. “So…you’ve been hanging out with Logan every time he’s in town.”
“I have, haven’t I?” He smiled. And he didn’t regret it.
“Yes, you have.” Justin smiled back.
Once this undercover case with Siegel was settled, he honestly planned on telling Logan everything. He just needed a little more time.
“Which reminds me, I have a date with Logan tonight!”
“So then, let’s find you something to wear.”
Justin jerked his head in the direction of the bedroom.
“It’s hours away,” he complained, but followed the small blond.
“So?” Justin yanked a few things from the closet and tossed them his way.
What was Logan’s favorite color? Hell, he didn’t know. He pulled on a pair of skinny black pants with a shear shirt that clearly showed his nipple rings.
He twirled around in front of the mirror debating about the outfit.
“It’s perfect,” Justin said from where he’d perched on his bedspread.
“Are you sure?”
“Of course, you