The Bad Boy Next Door (Kendrick Place)

by Jody Holford

  He cursed and she opened her eyes again. “What?”

  “I hate shopping,” he said, his voice accusing.

  “No one invited you.”

  “Yeah, well, you don’t have a car and I do. So you need me.”

  She smiled, letting her eyes close again. “You must be hard pressed for buddies if you’re willing to shop with me.”

  He laughed, and in her mind she could see him shaking his head. “Let’s just say no one’s beating down my door to make me their BFF.”

  She wouldn’t admit it, but shopping with Wyatt, eating with him, or just watching television with him sounded delightful. Despite the way his touch and his gaze stirred everything inside her, she didn’t have many friends of her own. The ones she’d been close to had looked the other way when they’d known the truth she’d taken too long to discover. She’d take Wyatt’s upfront, bold attitude over half-truths and empty gestures any day.

  She heard the slur in her own voice as she rolled to her side. “Eat your food, Wyatt.”

  As she drifted back into a cloudy sleep, she felt him sit beside her and pull her legs up over his lap and heard him switch on the TV, keeping the volume low. He wouldn’t admit it or believe her if she told him, but he was actually quite good at the friend thing. It would be up to her not to mess that up.

  Chapter Nine

  The television was on low, but Wyatt wasn’t seeing anything. The weight of Shay’s feet on his thighs, the little sighs she made as she drifted deeper into sleep, and the homey scent of vanilla that hung in the air were distracting him. Not even twenty-four hours ago, he’d been telling himself not to take this road, but he didn’t know how to stay away. She pulled at him in a way no one ever had. Could he actually be friends with her? He had a feeling doing so would save him money—there would be a lot of cold showers in his future. She was special. He didn’t know why yet, but he couldn’t walk away without figuring it out.

  He managed to face down dealers and thieves, but the thought of opening himself up to this woman scared the hell out of him. Keeping her at arms length scared him more.

  Shay shifted and Wyatt used her movement to ease himself out from under her legs. Picking up the plate he’d used for the sushi he’d brought, he stared down at her for a moment. He didn’t even know her that well yet, but Abigail had been right when they’d seen Shay in the store the other day. He was sunk. If he could keep things platonic, he wouldn’t sink her with him.

  Abigail had teased him relentlessly during the rest of her shopping spree—he had not bought her that godforsaken dress. But before he’d dropped her off, she’d gone all serious on him.

  “We miss you, Wyatt. Not just physically, but emotionally. I know undercover was hard, but you’re not there anymore. That girl made your eyes dance. I missed that, too.”

  Wyatt shook his head and took his plate to the kitchen. Shay made more than his eyes dance. After putting the plate in the dishwasher and tidying up the counter, which seemed easier to do in someone else’s place than his own, he pulled his phone out and checked his messages. He wanted very badly to pull strings and get to the bottom of who hurt Shay. He hated the thought that someone was able to.

  But who? Someone who had access to the building. One of their own tenants? And why? She was brand new. All he’d seen her do so far was spread smiles and happiness. Well, except for when he pissed her off.

  He needed to see the storage room for himself. Checking on her one more time, he leaned down and brushed her baby soft hair off her cheek. Jesus. Even when she was sleeping, she had white picket fence engraved on her forehead. He was no one’s dream come true and was man enough to admit it. That didn’t stop him from wishing things were different.

  With her key in his pocket, he headed down to the common storage area. He rarely took days off, but there was no way he was going in tomorrow. Apparently, he thought in disgust, I’m going shopping. Again. He must have a thing for her to have insisted on that plan. There was no way she was going alone. He’d already booked the next day off because he felt oddly compelled to take care of her—though he knew she’d balk at the idea of it. If he framed his desire to help in the right way, she was receptive, but if he insisted, she was like a cat in water.

  He liked that about her, he realized as he waited for the elevator. She had a backbone and wanted to fend for herself. He admired both qualities. The elevator doors slid apart, and Wyatt nearly charged into the only other woman who had gotten under his skin in the last year, albeit in an entirely different way.

  “Hey!” Gabriella said, with far more cheer than he should inspire in anyone.

  In her arms, she held two cardboard packing boxes. Stepping into the elevator, he gave a small smile. She had more energy than a junkie looking to score—only hers was genuine. And charming. What was it with sweet women? They remind you the world isn’t complete shit.

  “Hey. What’s in the boxes?” He knew if he didn’t make conversation, she’d just fill in the silence with chatter. It shouldn’t amuse him, but it did. Maybe his time undercover was wearing off after all.

  “Everything Christmassy at the mall was 75 percent off. I kind of stocked up for next year. If you need anything, now’s the time to go.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “I’m good, thanks. You putting those things in storage?”

  The elevator doors slid open on the basement floor. “Yes. Owen and I have combined our apartments completely, and I’m still trying to sell a few things. Until I do, we need the space.”

  They walked down the hallway, and he wondered if anyone else knew about Shay. Surely Gabby’s fiancé would have accompanied her downstairs had he known. He put a hand on her arm to stop her.

  “You’ve heard about the new tenant? Shay?”

  Gabby glanced at his hand on her arm, amusement etched in the lines around her eyes. “I heard someone took over Jake’s apartment, and Brady says she’s really nice. What’s wrong?”

  Wyatt didn’t want to alarm her, or anyone else, but whoever hurt Shay could hurt someone else. He explained what happened, leaving out the details of how his stomach clenched like a vice at the retelling.

  Gabby’s mouth hung open slightly, her eyes wide. Why he expected her to head back upstairs, maybe pass him the boxes to store for her, and retreat, he didn’t know. Because he wasn’t one bit surprised when she shook her head, straightened her shoulders, and said, “Let me put these away, and I’ll come back up with you to introduce myself and see if she needs anything.”

  With a long sigh, Wyatt started walking and Gabby kept his pace. “She doesn’t need to be checked on right now, but she’d like to meet you.” And though there was actually no pressure being put on him, he gave another sigh and elaborated. “She’s an event planner, and I mentioned your engagement party thing. She’s just starting up so her prices are good.”

  Surprisingly, Gabby was quiet when they approached the door. He looked over his shoulder at her and noted she had an odd look on her face. He ignored it for now. Unease ran up his spine. How had someone gotten down here? Had Brady said how he found her? He’d have to ask about that.

  Wyatt pushed the door open, hit the light switch, but didn’t enter. It was a massive, open room filled with shelves labeled with apartment numbers. He wouldn’t keep his stuff down here, not that he had much. But doing so invited people into each other’s lives. No thanks.

  Gabriella leaned on the door jam, shifting the boxes in her arms. “You scared to go in?”

  Towering over her, Wyatt tried to scowl. There were only two women who made that difficult. At least this one didn’t tempt him. He wouldn’t wreck Gabby’s kind heart because she didn’t appeal to him that way. Not to mention she had a fiancé.

  No. Gabby was like a little sister. An annoying, but somehow cute, little sister. Her easy acceptance of his personality, and the fact that she was no more intimidated by him than she would be a puppy, reminded him too much of Abigail.

  Wyatt arched an eyebrow. “What if I do
have mafia ties?”

  Gabby’s face paled and she opened her mouth, only to shut it again. Then, as though he wasn’t almost a foot taller than her and intimidating to most convicts, she nudged him with her hip. “Nah, I never thought you did. Brady told us you’re a cop. That suits you more. Owen and Brady really thought you were, though. Connected, I mean.”

  Wyatt shook his head, exasperated and thrown off track. “You talk too much.”

  Gabby beamed and then laughed. Wyatt walked into the room, taking his time as he tried to spot something that the officers could have missed. What were the chances that this would happen again and be a different person? But Jake had moved out. Wyatt had made sure the idiot knew he wasn’t welcome. He hadn’t followed up on where Jake had gone, but maybe it was time to do that, but later. He wanted to get back to Shay.

  Gripping the back of his neck with one hand, Wyatt sighed. “There’s nothing. Whoever came down here was looking for something specific. Shay got in the way somehow.”

  “Do you think it was someone in the building? We know almost everyone else,” Gabby said, her heart in her eyes.

  He didn’t want her to worry, and realizing that, he knew he was starting to care. He hadn’t meant to, but apparently his rusty heart had a mind of its own. Pretty soon, he’d be back to showing up for family dinners and feeling human again. Maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing.

  “It might just be someone messing around. Don’t spend time worrying about it. I’m going to look into a few things.”

  She put her boxes away and then joined him in the hall. They needed a security camera down here. Even something inexpensive would be better than nothing. They also needed a setup outside of the building to monitor who came in and out.

  “We should call a tenants’ meeting. We need everyone on the same page.”

  “What page is that?” She pressed the button for the elevator.

  “The one that says we all keep an eye out, have each other’s backs, and don’t come down to the storage unit alone.” He gave her a menacing stare.

  She patted his arm and stepped into the car. “Message received.”

  There was one more thing he needed to do. Shay was so hell-bent on success, he wondered if part of the reason was because if she didn’t succeed at this, she’d have to go back to where she’d come from. And until he figured out what all of these feelings rioting inside of him were, he didn’t want that. Swallowing down his hesitation, he waited until the doors slid closed and they were heading up to her floor.

  “So maybe when you come meet Shay—not tonight because she’s resting—but when you do, you could give her a chance on the whole party thing. My sister hired her as well.”

  There. It didn’t mean anything, but it made the back of his neck too warm. One pal helping out another. He rubbed at it, avoiding Gabriella’s gaze. The elevator lurched to a stop and Wyatt’s head snapped up. Gabby’s hand hovered over the emergency stop button.

  “What the hell?” Wyatt’s body tensed.

  “You like her,” Gabby said, a Cheshire cat grin spreading from ear to ear.

  Wyatt nearly growled. “Are you kidding me?” Hands on hips, he gaped at her but she just continued to smile.

  This was why he didn’t get involved. Friends. Neighbors. Even his family. Once he opened up in any way, everyone wanted into his business. People were crazy. Even when they seemed normal and cute.

  She pointed at him. “You do. When you say her name your eyes soften, and your voice gets a little breathy,” Gabby said, leaning near the wall so he couldn’t press the button again without nudging her aside.

  “You know I own a gun, right?”

  Gabby laughed, and despite the fact that irritation was pumping through every cell of his body, his lips quirked.

  “You don’t scare me, Wyatt. In fact, I think you’re more scared of me than I am of you.”

  “Oh, yeah? It must be your half-pint size. You’re real scary. Press the damn button, Gabriella. Forget I said anything about Shay.” He kept his eyes purposefully wide so she didn’t make up some more romantic crap about the way he said her name.

  Gabby pursed her lips. “I really think I could use some professional guidance for the party. Especially if it won’t break the bank. It sounds like Shay could stand to meet some of the women in the building. Like me. Someone she could confide in and lean on.”

  She was goading him. But he wouldn’t fall for it. “Fine. So hire her. Press the button or I’m going to pick you up and move you.”

  “Okay. I’ll talk to her.”

  He tried not to show any happiness about Shay possibly getting another job. Why the hell did his heart pinch when he thought about her? He scowled at Gabby. Not so hard to do after all.

  “Great. Do that.” He stepped closer.

  “I have kind of favor to ask,” she said. If not for the sudden flash of nerves in her eyes, Wyatt would have moved her aside. The confident, pain in the ass Gabby was gone. She looked down and Wyatt sighed. Maybe he should go back undercover. He was getting soft.

  “What do you need?”

  Gabby’s head popped up, and she smiled. “My show is next weekend. Owen’s parents are going to come with his sister. And his aunt, actually. I…well, Brady’s coming. But, you know, I spend so much time wrapped up in my art or Owen, so I’m not really great at making friends. Not that I don’t have friends. I do. I can make them.”

  Wyatt scrubbed his hands over his face, then met her gaze. “You’re asking me to come to some fancy art show? Do I look like I go to art shows?”

  Even though she squared her shoulders, he saw the hurt in her frown and the way her eyes dimmed. “No. Of course not. I…never mind. It was a stupid idea. I just thought that maybe you might want to. It was a dumb suggestion.”

  She pressed the small red button and the elevator gave a jolt, resuming its ascent. When the elevator doors slid open on her floor, Wyatt grabbed her arm just before she stepped off.

  “When is it?”

  Gabby’s tone was clipped. “A week from this Saturday. But you don’t have to. I don’t know why I asked. I’m sorry. I’ll introduce myself to Shay.”

  They stared at each other, and Wyatt knew even before he said anything that he was going to give in. For whatever reason, Gabby wanted him there and for an even stranger reason, what she wanted mattered to him. People like Shay and Gabby were beacons of hope, and apparently, Wyatt was a worn-out ship at sea, drawn in by the need to know the world wasn’t as horrible as he’d led himself to believe.

  A door opened and shut during their staring contest. Owen came to stand by Gabby, his gaze focused on Wyatt’s hand on Gabriella’s arm.

  “You want to take your hand off my fiancée?” His tone was amiable, laid back, but his eyes glinted behind his black-rimmed frames. Wyatt could take him down in less than forty-five seconds but admired the man’s protective stance. He dropped his hand and pressed it to the opening so the door didn’t close.

  Gabby stepped toward Owen. She rubbed her hand over his chest and burrowed into him even as Owen’s arm came around her. “Easy, babe. Everything is good. Wyatt was just telling me about our new neighbor. Shay.”

  Owen’s posture stiffened. “Brady just updated me on what happened.”

  Wyatt had only chatted with him a couple of times. Add instinct to that and Wyatt would say he was a decent guy. Gabby was over the moon for him.

  “I’m going to ask Brady to talk to the tenants. Everyone needs to be more aware and maybe keep their stuff out of that room.”

  Owen nodded, hesitating for a moment like he was making a decision, and then replied.

  “Brady was talking to the owner’s daughter, Mia. She’ll be here soon. She’s settling up some things, and then we’ll be having a tenants’ meeting and discussing new security measures. I’m not sure if he told her about this, but I would think he’ll have to,” Owen said.

  Then surprisingly, Owen laughed and looked down at Gabby. “Though, I don’t think h
e wants to call her again. Every time he says her name it’s like a swear word.”

  “Hmm. Interesting,” Gabby said with a smile.

  It didn’t sound that interesting to Wyatt.

  The elevator door pressed against Wyatt’s hand. “I’ll know something before then. I’m not waiting to look into who hurt Shay,” he said.

  Owen’s eyebrows arched upward. “Oh? Interesting.”

  Before Wyatt could snap at him that it wasn’t interesting, it was his job, Owen held up a hand in retreat. “I mean, just that you’re going to look into it. That’s good. Is she okay?”

  “She’ll be fine. I need to go.”

  Gabby didn’t say anything, but she was staring at him and it made the back of his neck too hot. Sighing, he added, “I’ll bring her next week. To your thing.” Her eyes went big, and he knew, he just knew, she was holding back a girlish squeal. Jesus. This was worse than being at home with his mother and his actual sister hounding him.

  “Okay. That sounds great,” Gabby said, nearly vibrating with the effort to maintain her composure.

  Owen looked down at Gabby with so much affection Wyatt’s breath caught. Did he want that? With anyone? Could he even have that? Unlikely. Owen kissed the crown of her head.

  “She’s an event planner,” Gabby said, looking up at Owen.

  Wyatt needed to go. He needed to be anywhere else. “Anyway, I’ll see you then. Keep an eye out, and stay safe,” Wyatt said, shoving his hand in his pocket. He couldn’t watch them stare into each other’s eyes any longer. He caught Owen’s frown and Gabby’s wave as the doors slid shut.

  Leaning his head against the wall, Wyatt cursed himself. He was getting pulled in. By Shay. By Gabby. He even kind of liked Brady and Owen. Shit. The need to see Shay, to make sure she was okay clawed at his gut, and he’d only been away from her for twenty minutes. Wyatt had seen guys try to rebuild their lives after being UC. They’d drowned themselves in alcohol or drugs or even working out to the point of obsession. There were others, though, who managed to escape unscathed. What was the difference between the two paths? This one felt like a different kind of drowning, and what if he couldn’t stop himself from bringing people he cared about with him?