“That girl comes in here, and not that I’m eavesdropping, but all she talks about is you. Now I’ve been married five times, and I’ve learned something about women.”
“And what would that be?”
One bushy eyebrow rose higher as the man thrust his head forward and stared at Jack.
Jack shrugged as he waited for the man to continue.
The old man huffed loudly. “You’re like her sun. She revolves around you.”
“Okay. And you think that’s a bad thing?”
“A bad thing? Hell, no. That’s what you want. If any of my exes had cared about me a quarter as much as that girl does about you, I’d still be married with a smile on my face.”
The old man was very loud so everyone in the room was once again watching Jack.
Jack cleared his throat. “Thanks for the advice.”
“Thank me? Don’t thank me unless you take it. That’s the kind of girl you keep. If you don’t, it’s on you. You’ll end up alone in some home, talking to some young kid who thinks you’re crazy.”
Jack nodded his head and straightened up. He looked around the room at the sea of old faces who all looked over. Their collective years of wisdom could not be counted. They were all nodding too.
“Thank you, sir. I appreciate it.”
The old man smiled.
Chapter 8
~
How Long?
On any other day, Jack would have been on guard when he opened his apartment door, but today he wasn’t. Tired and overwhelmed, he stood with his head hung down and swung open the door.
The giant one-hundred-ten-pound dog leapt out and slammed into his chest. She knocked him back, and he fell onto his butt.
“Terrific,” Jack groaned.
Lady licked his face.
“Lady, off.” He tried to push her back.
“Jack?” Replacement called out from inside the apartment.
Jack patted the huge dog. “It’s me.”
Replacement bounded into the hallway, wrapped her arms around his neck, and gave him a big kiss. She had to angle her back to fend off Lady.
“Welcome home, babe.” She helped him up. “I made chicken and—” She squinted at his eye. “What happened to your face?”
“Rough day at the office.”
Jack winced as her hand lightly touched his cheek.
She frowned. “Does it hurt much?”
He grinned roguishly and kissed her. “I’m fine.”
“What happened?”
“I bobbed when I should’ve weaved.”
Replacement rolled her eyes. “Let’s get you inside and cleaned up.”
Lady trotted after them.
“I taught Lady a new trick. Watch. You stay right there.”
Jack closed the door behind him and waited.
Replacement held up her hand and Lady pranced over. They both turned to face Jack.
“Sit.”
Lady sat.
Jack clapped.
Replacement put her hands on her hips. “That’s not it. She’s had that down forever.” Replacement put her hands behind her back and looked straight ahead. “Meanie face. Meanie face.”
Lady leapt to her feet. In an instant, she went from lovable dog to Hell Hound. Her teeth flashed. Her ears lay back on her head, and she chomped at the air.
Jack held up a hand and moved back against the door. “Nice face. Nice face.”
Replacement tossed Lady a biscuit, and she took off into the bedroom.
“That’s a good trick if you want to make someone wet their pants,” Jack said.
Replacement laughed. “I think she’s got the top ten down. Sit, paw, lay, dance in a circle, crazy bark, beg, kiss, stay, roll over, and now meanie face.”
“Let’s hold off on crazy bark, but good work.” Jack inhaled deeply. “That smells awesome.” He looked at the little table set with two places. “What’s the occasion?”
Replacement bit her bottom lip. “I thought we could have a little romantic evening.” She tugged at his arm. “Come on.” She led him into the bathroom.
“I’m okay. The nurse at the jail gave me a couple butterfly strips.”
“I don’t know why you don’t let me go with you. I could watch your back.”
Jack shook his head. “No way. It’s not safe for you.”
“But it is for you?”
“I couldn’t take you anyway. You were working. How’d it go?”
“Great.”
“See. You shouldn’t come with me.” Jack grinned.
She playfully punched him in the shoulder. Jack winced when she touched him.
She eyed him suspiciously. “Shirt.” She waved her hand in a circle. He took off his shirt. “I could’ve gone after work with—dang!”
She turned him to the side, and he groaned as her fingers touched his ribs. “Jack, is anything broken?”
Jack looked at the large, dark purple bruise that ran along his side and shook his head. “I’m fine. It’s just a little sore.”
Replacement’s eyes rounded in concern.
“It’s a networking job?” Jack blurted out as he tried to change the subject. “At the old Bellmore estate?”
“The place is huge. Mr. Mathis thinks it could take longer than he expected.”
“Mr. Mathis?” Jack asked.
Replacement inhaled. “Gerald. His last name’s Mathis. “
Jack pulled her close. “You’re calling him Mr. Mathis now?”
“No. It’s just…nothing.”
“I brought in two today. I thought we could go out for an extra special date night. Dinner tomorrow at Antonelli’s?”
She purred. “I’d love to, but it may have to be a late dinner.” She wrinkled her nose. “Gerald picks us up, and he usually stays late.”
“Us?”
“He hired a couple other guys. Phillip and Bruce. Gerald thought it made sense for all of us to meet in town and drive out.”
“I’ll drive you.”
“Thanks for the offer, but Gerald’s a little bit of a control freak. I should stick with his plan.”
“I’ll make reservations for seven o’clock?”
“That sounds awesome.” She draped her arms around his neck and pulled him down. Her lips pressed against his, and her hand traveled around his waist. Shivers shot up his back as he pulled her tightly against him. He stifled a grimace from the pain in his ribs and forced a smile, but only the corner of his mouth curled up. Replacement looked up at him and bit her lip again.
“I’m fine. Let’s eat.”
She nodded and then went to take out dinner.
After they ate, Replacement came around to his side of the table. “Why don’t you hop in the shower?” She ran her fingers up his arm.
Jack opened his mouth but only nodded. She followed him into the bedroom. He looked back before he closed the door. Her chin was tucked low into her shoulder, and her green eyes peered up at him.
She’s beautiful.
Jack felt his hand tick up in a little wave, and she waved back. He pulled his clothes off and turned the shower on.
A scratching on the door stopped him from getting in. When he opened the door, Lady rushed in and shook. She pulled the bath rug into the corner, turned around three times and then lay down on the tile floor with a satisfied huff.
“You big baby.” Jack stroked behind her head before he climbed into the shower.
The hot water stung all of his wounds, and he growled low.
Lady growled too.
Jack pulled back the shower curtain. Lady’s head was raised as she stared at him.
“I’m okay, girl. Thanks.”
Seemingly reassured that everything was okay, she laid her head back down.
After a few minutes, Jack leaned his head against the wall and sighed. His muscles relaxed, and he let his head droop forward. His eyes closed. The water splashed against his chest, and he breathed in the warm, moist air. Jack’s eyes flipped open, and his hand shot
out to the wall to steady himself. “I definitely need some sleep.”
He shut off the water, and Lady whined. “Oh, be quiet. You can stay in here if you want.”
Lady laid her head back down and stretched her legs out.
“Boy, you’re one big dog.” Jack shook his head as he looked down at the dog stretched out across the entire floor. “I think we need a bigger bathroom.” He scratched behind her ears.
Jack didn’t bother with a shirt; he pulled on a pair of sweats and opened the bedroom door. The ceiling light was off, but several candles flickered around the room. His eyes were fixed on Replacement lying in his bed, covered with just a sheet. As his eyes traveled up her body, he knew she was naked beneath the cloth.
Jack swallowed.
Their eyes locked. She smiled, and he saw the flush in her cheeks. She bit her lip and nodded her head.
He slowly walked forward. Replacement started to pull the sheet back. Quickly, Jack stopped her. The words still echoed in his ears. Promise me.
Replacement’s eyebrow slowly rose. “Jack?”
Jack exhaled and sat down on the edge of the bed, facing slightly away from her. “Alice.” He swallowed.
Her eyes rounded as she pulled the sheet a little tighter around herself. “Are you okay?”
He nodded and then shook his head. “I know we talked about it, but…” He sighed. “I think we should wait.”
She scooted over to him and leaned up against his arm. “Thank you for giving me time.” She kissed his cheek. “But I’m ready now.”
She pressed her lips against his. He moaned. Her fingers ran through his hair. She softly kissed his neck.
Crap.
“Wait.” Jack reached for her hands. “We shouldn’t.”
“No, I’m ready.” She clamped both arms around him.
“Not tonight. I just can’t right now.”
Her lip curled up. “Did you get hurt down there?” She nodded toward his groin.
Jack flushed. “What?”
“Did you get hit in the groin or something?”
“No.”
“Why, then?” Her eyes widened. “Did I do something?”
“No, it’s not you. I just think we should wait.”
“For what?”
Jack didn’t know how to explain it without actually saying the word he wasn’t ready to say—marriage.
“I just think that we should wait until our relationship is more…stable.”
“It’s unstable?” She sat back.
“No. It’s great.”
He reached for her; she scooted back. “You just said it’s not stable.”
“No, I didn’t. I said we should wait until it’s more stable.”
“Why?”
“I want to make sure that it’s right—special.”
“You’ve slept with other girls.” Her lip trembled.
Jack turned toward her. “I don’t want to just sleep with you. I want it to be different.”
Her eyes began to tear. “Is it because of what happened to me?”
Jack jumped up. “No.” He shook his head vigorously.
Looking confused, her eyes searched the room. “You don’t know if this is right?”
“No. I know it’s right, but not right.” His hands went in all directions. “I just meant I don’t want it to be just sex.”
“Just sex?”
“That didn’t sound right…I think I need to wait.”
“Wait? For what?”
Jack stood there with his hands out. He wanted to scoop her up in his arms. What the hell did I promise?
“How long do you want to wait, Jack?” Replacement’s whole body tensed up.
How long? I didn’t think this through. I’m just covering the bills—how the hell can I even think about…I’m not ready to get married.
“How long?” Replacement asked again.
“A couple years,” he blurted out.
She made a face as if she drank spoiled milk. “You’re not sure you love me?” She wrapped the sheet around her body.
“That’s not what I meant.”
As she ran out of the room, she burst into tears.
“No. I do.” Jack rushed after her, but she raced into her room and slammed the door. He stood outside the door. “Alice, I love you. I just…” He let his head thump against her door.
“Go away!” she yelled.
Jack stood for a minute, unsure what to say or do.
Lady trotted out of his bedroom.
Jack whispered at Replacement’s closed door, “I’m just not ready…”
Lady plopped down beside him and looked at him with her sad pup face.
Chapter 9
~
Dead isn’t Macho
The next morning, Jack heard Replacement’s bedroom door open and slam shut.
Not good.
When the front door opened and closed, Jack ran for his shoes. While he pulled on one sneaker, he opened the door and called out, “Alice?”
He heard her hurry down the stairs. Jack chased after her. As he ran out of the apartment building, he saw her storming down the sidewalk—head up, shoulders square, and her arms straight down with her hands clenched into fists at her sides.
He broke into a jog and quickly caught up.
“You don’t have to follow me. I’m fine.” She kept her eyes focused straight ahead.
“I can drive you up to the house,” he offered.
“Gerald wants us to meet at U-Do2. We need to pick up cables and stuff.”
“Okay. I’ll walk with you there.” Jack stepped in front of her, and she practically ran right into him. She stopped and glared at him.
“Why?” Her hands snapped up and back down.
“Because I like your company.” Jack grinned.
Replacement’s face softened and her dimple popped out.
Jack leaned in and quickly kissed her.
“Why don’t you want my company the way I want you to want my company?” She pouted.
He took her by the hand and started to walk again. “I do. Let’s just slow it down. I did that for you.”
“You’re talking about stopping.”
“Let’s talk about it tonight. Are we still on for Antonelli’s? I made reservations for seven,” Jack said.
She took in a deep breath. “Okay.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“Where are you heading today?” Replacement asked.
“I have to go see Titus and swing into Patton’s Police and Military Supply Depot. I’m out of just about everything. I need mace, Taser refills—”
“What?” She pulled her hand free. “You went out with no gun, no mace, and an unloaded Taser?”
Jack tried to give her a roguish grin, but as her scowl deepened, he knew it wasn’t working. “I’m getting them now.”
“Now? Now?” Her legs kicked back into high gear, and so did her hands. They flew in all directions as she stormed down the sidewalk. “You won’t let me come with you because it’s SO dangerous, but then you go out practically buck-naked. Seriously? What did you have—nothing? Why? Because you’re stubborn.”
Her ponytail danced back and forth, and her green eyes flashed. Her body was taut, and he saw the storm of frustration raging in her eyes. But he knew the root cause of her aggravation was her concern for him. She had his back even if it came out as upbraiding him for his own lack of preparedness. She cared about him. Jack had to stop himself from trying to kiss her again because right now he found her irresistible.
“And what about my Taser?” she continued. “You could have taken that. It has a cartridge.”
Jack rolled his eyes.
She stopped. “It’s because it’s pink, isn’t it?”
He smirked. “Well…”
“MEN.” She tossed her hands in the air and started speed walking again. “You’d rather get shot or stabbed or who knows what than be seen with a pink Taser?”
Jack didn’t respond.
/> “Macho? HA! Dead isn’t macho. What if you ended up in the hospital again? Then what? Who would take care of you?”
“You.” Jack smiled.
Her eyes narrowed, but then her shoulders slumped. “Seriously, Jack. I love you so much it hurts. Can you please be careful? Let me come with you.”
“You have a job to do.”
“I’d rather work with you. Let’s combine the private investigator business and the bounty hunting.”
“Right now the private investigations are bringing in almost nothing, and the bounty hunting is doing less than your computer job. It’s too sporadic. That’s what I’m going to talk to Titus about.”
“Will you promise me you’ll be more careful?”
“I’m careful.”
“What about the cut above your eyebrow, the huge bruise on your side, your cut lip, and the limp you’re trying to hide?” She frowned.
Jack straightened up. “I’m not limping.”
“Yes, you are.”
“My leg’s fine.”
Replacement’s eyebrow rose.
“It is. Look.” Jack jogged in place.
“I can tell it’s sore. What happened?”
Jack didn’t know whether it happened when he was fighting with five guys in an alley or jumping off the fire escape but he didn’t want to mention either scenario to her. “It’s great. I’ll prove it. Race you to U-Do2.”
“No. You hurt your leg, and now you want to race me to prove it’s not hurt? Are all men perpetually four?”
“Yes. So you admit you’re wrong about my leg?”
“I am not.”
“I’ll wager a piece of garlic bread at Antonelli’s that I can beat you.”
Jack saw her lips press together. Knowing he’d need an advantage, because his leg did still hurt, he turned and bolted.
“Cheater,” she yelled and broke into a sprint too.
Replacement beat Jack to the store by five lengths. She danced in a circle but frowned as she watched Jack slow to a stop.
“See, my leg’s fine.” He shook out his leg and tried not to grimace.
She walked over and touched his thigh. “There’s no pain?”
“None, but stop. We’re on the sidewalk. People are looking.”
“I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m fine. Seven o’clock for dinner?”
DATA JACK Page 5
