Bad Boy Blues - Jessica Lemmon Page 0,3

woman in pink who’d been monopolizing the stair-climber was on the left, and there was a vehicle at the back parked with the passenger’s side facing the building. BMW. It was tipped, suggesting it was jacked up. The clang of metal on pavement further hinted that work was being done on the car—maybe a tire was being removed. Maybe hubcaps being stolen.

Staying alert, he tossed his gym bag into the bed of his truck as he passed by and walked to the car, calling in a low, authoritative voice, “Need some help?”

The delay made him wonder if they were hubcap thieves. He reached for his hip, only to remember he wasn’t carrying a weapon. He wore nothing but a baggy tank top and shorts, and a pair of sneakers.

A head popped up over the trunk a second later and set him at ease. If she was a hubcap thief, she was a damn pretty one. Thanks to the overhead lights, he made out shadowed high cheekbones, big, doe-like dark eyes, and a rich, lush mouth.

“No, thanks!” she called out. “I’ve got it.” And with that, she ducked down again.

Guard still up—because you never knew—he rounded the vehicle slowly. He found what he’d first suspected: a jacked-up car, one tire on the ground. The woman was crouched over her phone. A tinny voice coming from the device explained the ins and outs of replacing a tire.

“I can finish up for you. Without the video.” He offered a smile when she jerked her head up at him. She was slight, her dark hair medium length, just brushing her shoulders. She wore leggings and an oversize gray T-shirt, one sleeve falling to the side and revealing a tanned shoulder.

“No.” She stood and took a step away from him. “I’ve got it.”

Definitely not from around here. She was safe in a well-lit parking lot, half a mile from the beach with the library behind her. Hell, the most crime he’d seen go down in Library Park was toilet papering done by local kids.

Her eyes narrowed, almost suspiciously, and her gaze roved over him. Of course, he wasn’t in uniform. She probably thought he was out to take advantage of her.

“Okay, then.” He nodded and backed away, giving her some breathing room. But when the jack gave, ratcheting the car down several inches, he moved into action on pure instinct. By the time her delicate shriek pierced the air, Brady had shoved her away from car, dropped knees-to-pavement, and reset the jack.

“You okay?” He held his hand out to let her know she shouldn’t come closer while adrenaline zapped down both of his arms. Given his job, it didn’t take much to put him on alert. So much for a good night’s sleep. Any fatigue brought on by his workout was long gone.

“Yeah. I’m okay.” Her hand was on her chest like she was checking her heartbeat. He stood to his full height, and her big eyes watched him the entire way. His cop instincts went berserk. The luggage in the back proved she was traveling, but something told him it was more than that. Something told him she was running.

“You’re sure you’re okay,” he repeated, studying her closer.

“Well, I was.” Her gaze trickled down to the jack.

“See ya tomorrow, Brady!” came a voice from the lot. He sent up a wave at the woman who’d been on the stair climber earlier. He hadn’t recognized her, but she seemed to know who he was. That happened a lot. He was a small-town celebrity.

He turned back to the brunette. “It’s not a problem to change it. Honest.”

She folded her arms over her chest, checked the parking lot, and then gave him a jerky nod. He probably had the woman from the gym to thank for the yes. Most townsfolk didn’t greet the local serial killer.

He pulled the donut out of the trunk and began the simple task of replacing the tire and tightening the lug nuts. “Meeting friends or family in the Cove?” he asked while he worked.

“Boyfriend. He’s a, uh, he’s a Navy SEAL.” Her tone was both feisty and cautious, and Brady hid a smile.

Boyfriend, my ass.

“He’s sleeping. I didn’t want to bother him,” she quickly explained.

“Uh-huh.” He wasn’t buying it. “You two renting a place, or is he local?”

“What are you, a cop?” she snapped.

He chuckled, but before he could say that yes, he was a cop, she talked over him.

“Look, I’ve been driving for over six hours. I have to pee. I’m