I hear him end the call and slowly lift my head. His eyes narrow on me before quickly turning back to face the cashier. Finally, he finishes up and glances over his shoulder as he leaves, his eyes zoning in on my neck where the red marks have turned to an ugly blueish black. Thankfully, he turns back and walks out of the store. He didn’t recognize me and I’m not sure why it stings.
The cashier rings up my items quickly and I pack them into bags, needing to hurry up and get the hell out of here. I don’t have long left and no doubt Talia’s getting angrier the longer I’m gone. I quicken my pace as I leave the store; I keep my head down and move toward Talia’s car.
Just as I'm pulling out of my parking space, I see the man that was in front of me in the store standing by a fancy car. Looking out the window as I'm driving through narrowed eyes, he spots me, his bright green striking eyes go wide. God, he's gorgeous. He's dressed in a suit; as soon as I drive past, I glance in the rear-view mirror and see him taking his cell out of his pocket.
I arrive home to find Talia waiting for me at the door. "Hurry, they'll be here any minute."
I nod as I grab the bags from the passenger seat. "I got everything you wanted."
She scrunches up her nose in disdain. "You had better." I hurry past her into the house and into the kitchen, tossing the bags onto the table. Talia follows me into the kitchen, standing in the doorway while I begin to pull stuff out of the bags and get everything arranged on the trays. "Once you've done that, I want you upstairs packing for us. We're leaving tomorrow."
I nod. "Yes, ma'am. Is there anything in particular you'd like me to pack?" I ask as I quickly put the coffee pot on.
"We're going to Key West. We'll be gone for a week. I want you to pack the girls bathing suits and bikinis. It's going to be hot."
"Of course; I'll pack the sunscreen too."
"Get this done first," she demands.
The doorbell sounds, and I begin panicking. I've not gotten everything ready. I need another couple of minutes. I still need to make sandwiches, but I got cakes to put onto a platter so they can help themselves. Looking down I try to relax; I focus on my wrist.
No! Crap, where is it?
I glance around the kitchen seeing if I can find it. But it’s not here and I don’t have time to search. Talia’s going to be pissed if I don’t get this food ready.
"Yoreli, are you ready?" Talia asks as she walks into the kitchen. "They're starting to arrive." She lifts the platter of cakes off the table, turns on her heel and walks out.
I manage to get the sandwiches made as Talia comes back. "Good, now make sure there's another pot of coffee on. Once that's done, you may leave."
I nod. "Yes, ma'am." I begin to clean the kitchen, knowing that she'll be back to take the coffee pot and cups with her. If I don't clean up now, I'll have to do it later. My mind is trying to remember where the last place I had my bracelet was but I can’t remember. The last piece of my parents is gone.
Four
John
“Try to keep him reigned in.” I sigh as I talk to Cohen; they’re working on a job for a senator. His daughter has had a couple of threats made against her and the senator called us. Cohen, Talin, and Greg are working on it. Greg’s been with me from the start and the only one I trust to be able to keep my twin brothers in line.
?
??I’ll try but he’s not happy. She received another threat today,” Cohen says quietly, which means that Talin is in the room with him.
“Okay, and?” What the hell am I missing here?
He sighs. “He’s protective of her. Since the minute he saw her, he felt this weird connection. I’ve never seen him like this before.”
Shit.
“Okay, well, keep him off the fucking case,” I say a little too harshly and glance around the grocery store to make sure no one has overheard me. It’s not too busy, seeing as it’s early in the morning. I find it the best time to get my shopping done.
My brothers have been working for me for four days. Four fucking days and Talin’s already attached himself to a client. That’s not how it works. He could cause a hell of a lot of trouble by being stupid.
“It’s not that easy.” Cohen huffs. “He’s not going to walk away.”
I walk toward the checkout. “Put him on the phone,” I demand, needing to know what the fuck is going on. I put my items onto the checkout belt and wait for the cashier to ring them through.
“I know,” Talin says gruffly as he comes onto the phone. “We’re not meant to get involved with clients. I haven’t touched her and I won’t. Not while we’re working this case. I wouldn’t do that to you or her. She’s going through enough. But Megan’s special.”
Well, fuck me. He’s actually thinking straight.