Page 103 of A Stop in Time

“Take care now.” He lifts his hand in a wave before sliding inside his car and driving off.

Mac appears frozen, still staring down the driveway after his car’s disappeared from sight.

“He was a little fuckin’ weird.”

She lets out a rough-sounding laugh. “Gee, do you think?” She turns to me. Her features are lined with apprehension, and she hesitates visibly.

“What is it?”

Her focus returns to the driveway, a troubled expression on her pretty face. Her words are slow, careful. “I was the one who had the new bay doors and the lift installed. Not Mr. Otis.”

My head snaps around, and I stare at her, unease raking down my spine. But it only grows more intense with what she says next.

“And he didn’t bat an eye when I mentioned Chuck Otis.” She settles her eyes on me. “Except that’s not his first name. It’s Callahan.”

Icy fingers of premonition clutch at me, and the tiny hairs along the back of my neck stand on end. “The fuck…”

“He claimed to be friends with Mr. Otis, but if you were friends with somebody, I’m pretty sure you’d know their first name.” She turns back to stare down the driveway, worry creasing between her brows.

“I’m not leavin’ you here alone tonight.” The words are out before I even second-guess myself. But I don’t give a shit. Something weird as fuck is going on and I don’t like it one bit.

Tipping her head to the side, she regards me with a dubious expression. “This is rich coming from the man whose motel room and car were shot up just last week.”

She stalks back to the Malibu. “I’ve been taking care of myself for years. Pretty sure I can manage without you.”

I stare at her in disbelief. “You’re gonna dismiss what just happened? What if he comes back?”

She huffs out a breath, pinning me with a frosty glare. “Like I said, I can take care of myself.”

I cross my arms. “It’d be that much easier for you to do if I stay.”

“You’re like an antibiotic-resistant STD, I swear. You just won’t go away.”

I choose to ignore the dig. “Why don’t you put me to work?”

She eyes me stubbornly, and I half expect her to refuse. Her gaze rakes over me before she raises her brows. “You prepared to get dirty?”

I can’t resist the smirk that breaks free. “More than prepared.” I advance on her, and she doesn’t back away even an inch, lifting her chin to hold my gaze. I drop my voice an octave. “I’m lookin’ forward to gettin’ dirty with you.”

A rough sound spills from her and she turns, but it’s not quick enough, because I spot the smile she’s fighting.

“Get over here and help me loosen this, Danny.”

This time, I don’t bother correcting her.

49

HIM

“She doesn’t know or see shit. I looked her right in the eyes, and there was nothin’ there. No recognition whatsoever.”

“What about him?”

He lets out a derisive sound. “He’s just a damn punk-ass gang member.”

“And you didn’t give anything away?” I narrow my gaze on him. “We know how you like to run your mouth…not to mention how difficult it is for you to control your other little obsession.”

His hands fist at his sides. He doesn’t appreciate it when I call him out on his weaknesses. “I did exactly what you said to do.”