Shadow of Doubt - Hailey Edwards Page 0,41
arm, he forced his hand open. “Give me your phone.”
“I get that you’re the alpha-to-be, but you’ve got to work on your manners.”
In danger of returning her smile, he growled, “Please give me your phone.”
She handed it over then smirked while he added himself as a contact. “I feel so special.”
“Maybe next time you’ll call first.”
“Next time I’ll have your number so I can call first.”
Shaking his head, he returned her cell. “I have to get back to dinner.”
“Five bucks says you don’t remember your date’s name.”
“Rebecca,” he said dryly. “Where’s my five bucks?”
“Darn.” She snapped her fingers. “I don’t have any cash on me.”
“Don’t gamble with what you don’t have.”
“Ford wants to come over for a movie night.” Wariness pinched her delicate features before she smoothed them. “I could put that five toward a pizza if you’re interested in joining us.”
Ford was doing the job Midas had recruited him for last year, but all of a sudden it didn’t sit well.
Nothing Hadley had said or done since arriving in Atlanta warranted the vague warning Lethe had given him about the POA’s new protégé. He had been willing to let it slide at the time, but he couldn’t afford to keep handling Hadley blind. He had to think of the pack first. His sister had relished the role of beta, had embraced the role of alpha. Her word carried weight with him, and he trusted her instincts.
“Maybe next time.” He glanced toward the table and the impatient woman waiting on him. “Spend that five on Ford. He likes sausage and pepperoni with extra red onions.”
“Maybe.” She shrugged off his rebuff. “Next time you might not get an invite.”
She put a sway in her hips that hadn’t been there before and left him staring after her.
Feeling eyes on him, he glanced out the front window and noticed Ford watching him watch her.
Back at his table, Rebecca made it clear she had seen him too.
“You’ve shown that woman more interest in ten minutes than you’ve shown me all night.” Her hands bunched the tablecloth. “Am I wasting my time?”
“Yes,” he answered honestly, making a fist beneath the table to hold on to the feel of Hadley, the sensation as bizarre as his…not attraction. Fascination? “You knew that already.”
Eight
Out on the street, Ford waited with Bonnie. I wasn’t sure how much, if anything, he had overheard from my conversation with Midas, but he studied me with an intensity that left my nape tingling. Or maybe that had more to do with the beta I had left in my dust.
Midas had given me food for thought, and I was chewing over his reservations about us helping the girl. Now that my temper had cooled, I could admit more information was required before any action was taken. Since I had a prime resource who could do the digging for me, I texted Bishop the request for a background check on Jessica.
“We’ve got time to hit the Clairmonts before we call it a night,” I told Ford on my way past. “Let’s knock them out of the suspect pool.” I shrugged. “Or into it.”
Bonnie trotted over, happy to ditch Ford, and I bent to pick up the leash she manifested on the spot. She surprised me by rearing up on my arm to give the place where Midas touched me a good sniff before shooting me a knowing look through narrowed eyes.
“Whatever it is you’re thinking, stop right now.” I stood under Ford’s watchful gaze. “What?”
“I don’t get it,” he admitted. “This thing between you and Midas.”
“What thing?” I felt my palms go damp. “There is no thing.”
“You ran straight to him,” Ford said, a slight edge in his tone. “And he…let you.”
“Kids are in danger. Girls. From what I have no issue calling a sexual predator. What kind of man would Midas be if he shrugged that off?” Aware I had ruffled Ford’s feathers, I attempted to smooth them. “If it makes you feel any better, he blew me off when I invited him to our movie night.”
Glossing over the fact I had invited another guy in the first place, he grinned from ear to ear. “So, we’re on?”
“Looks that way.” I scratched behind Bonnie’s ear. “How do you feel about pizza?”
Ford shook his head over me treating her like a dog. “Me or her?”
“I meant Bonnie.” I straightened. “I already know you like it, and how you like it.”
He glanced through the window at Midas, but he didn’t say another word, just pointed across