by Katie Ashley
What kind of story I was going to fabricate? “Uh, sorta.”
Timmy snorted on the ground. Before he could open his mouth to blab my secret, my boot heel was back on his throat. After his gaze snaked up my leg, he choked out, “Nice thong.”
Jackson knocked me out of the way to put his own heel on Timmy’s throat. “Watch it perv, or I’ll totally hose you!”
Wyatt snickered in my ear. “Ooh, dude’s got some balls! But I gotta say, I’m envious of Timmy getting a glimpse at your thong!”
“I really, really hate you,” I murmured, which sent Wyatt laughing hysterically.
Luckily, Jackson thought I was addressing Timmy. “So, your cousin?” he prompted.
Darn, I had to continue spinning my tale. “Yep, Raye works for the cops. And, I-uh, I’ve been seeing the Wanted posters on this guy for a while. So when I saw him tonight, I knew had to do something about it.”
Jackson shook his head at me. “Jules, you could’ve been killed!”
I shrugged. “I guess I didn’t think about that.”
He rolled his eyes. “Well, you sure as hell should have. I mean, you’re a teenage girl, not the Terminator.”
“Amen!” Wyatt exclaimed.
“I know, but—”
“Look, I get with your dad being a lawyer and your cousin in law enforcement that you’ve got this need to seek justice and all, especially against low life’s like him.” He motioned down to Timmy who only rolled his eyes. “But it shouldn’t mean the potential to get hurt. The best thing you can do is use your brains and follow in your dad’s footsteps.”
“Dude, you’re so lucky he totally missed the mark,” Wyatt said.
I bobbed my head. “Yeah, you’re right. I’ve got to stop this whole hero complex thing.”
We were interrupted by the Land Cruiser screeching up to the edge of the alley. Raye hopped out and glanced around, surveying the situation. I quickly stepped between him and Jackson. “So glad you made it. I was trying to explain to Jackson how you and your partner have been hunting him for awhile.” I raised my eyebrows to signal him to play along.
He quickly followed my lead. “Oh yeah, the boys down at the station will be really excited to see Timmy.” Raye pulled Timmy to his feet and then handcuffed him. Raye’s two associates came jogging up the alley. With the same ex-marine haircuts and beefy builds, they were pretty intimidating looking. “Would you two mind getting our buddy here down to county?
“Yes, sir,” they said in unison.
As they led Timmy down the alley, the old man with the cane and his gang were waiting on them. They continued to shout and rail until Timmy was loaded into the SUV.
“I guess I better get on to my next case. Jules, I really do appreciate your help on this one, but next time, leave it to me, okay?” Raye said, as he hopped in the front seat.
“You’re welcome, and I will. I promise,” I replied, with a grin.
Raye shot me a look that told me he knew I was lying. “Have a nice evening.”
“Yeah, nice evening to all of you,” I replied. As Jackson watched Raye peel, I jerked out the listening device and earpiece and shoved them in my purse. I’d had enough of having Wyatt in my head. I figured I could make the rest of the date on my own.
When we were alone in the alley, Jackson shook his head at me. “Seriously, did all of that just happen?”
I glanced down at my skinned knees. Blood trickled down my legs and stained the hem of my dress. “Yep, it totally happened.”
Jackson rubbed his eyes like he was trying to wake from a dream. “I know this is probably normal for you, but damn, I feel like I’m tripping or something.”
“I’m really, really sorry for ruining your night with all this craziness.”
“It isn’t that big of a deal.”
“It is for me.”
Jackson cuffed the back of my neck playfully. “All right, all right. Guess we better get home before you take out a gang of Hell’s Angels or something!
***
Later when we pulled into the driveway, Jackson once again played the gentleman and walked me to the door. “I had a really good time tonight,” he said.
I grinned. “Even after I ran down a fugitive?”
He chuckled. “Yep, even after all of that.”
“I had a nice time, too. I really appreciate you taking me out on the town.”
“I was happy to do it.”
We stood awkwardly for a moment. I guess on a regular date this was when you did the “to kiss or not to kiss” dance, but I knew there was no way that was happening. Even though Wyatt wasn’t in my ear anymore, I knew he would want me to do something a little sexier than a handshake or a pat on the back. So, I leaned over and kissed Jackson’s cheek. “Thanks again,” I murmured before heading in the house.
I closed the door behind me and tried to still my rubbery feeling legs. I had just gotten oh so very close to Jackson. He had smelled heavenly, and my lips could still feel the stubble on his cheek. And then my bubble burst as I remembered I had just kissed the cheek of my cousin’s boyfriend.
Huffing in frustration, I started across the foyer to the stairs when the sound of someone clearing his throat in the sitting room startled me. “Nice touch with peck on the cheek.”
I practically jumped out of my skin when I saw Wyatt lounging on the settee. “What are you doing here?”
“You disconnected. I had to make sure you were all right.”
“But how did you get in?” I scanned the room for Mom or Aunt Vivian. “Please tell me you didn’t break in!”
He opened his mouth when Aunt Vivian came down the hall with two lemonades. “My, my Julianne, two gentleman callers in one evening. I’m very impressed.”
“Wyatt is not a gentleman caller.”
He smirked at me as Aunt Vivian handed him a glass. “And why ever not? Did you know he drives a motorcycle?” She winked at me. “Isn’t that sexy?”
Why did I have to have a horndog for an aunt? “Where on earth did you get that?”
“Raye gave it to me.”
“It’s dangerous,” I countered.
“Give me a break,” Wyatt huffed.
Aunt Vivian nodded while waving her hand dismissively at me. Then she stared in horror at my legs. “Oh honey, whatever happened to your knees?”
Wyatt and I locked eyes before I quickly lied, “Um, I tripped down on River Street. You know how those cobblestone streets are.”
“You need to clean those up immediately.” She turned to Wyatt. “Would you be a dear and help Julianne? I would, but Andrew’s waiting on me in the theater room.”
“I’d be happy to Miss Vivian,” he replied.
“Thank you, darlin’.” She patted him on the leg. “Julianne, the first aid kit is in the kitchen pantry.” She then sashayed over to the basement door and gave us a wave.
Wyatt hopped up from the couch. “Come on. Let’s go get your boo-boos fixed up.”
“You really don’t have to do this,” I protested as I limped into the kitchen.
He shrugged. “I got some time to kill before a hot date.”
“It’s after nine. Isn’t that kinda late?”
“Depends on what kinda date it is.”
“I see,” I replied, as I headed over the pantry. Ugh, I didn’t like hearing about Wyatt’s potential booty call, and I certainly did like the knot that twisted in my stomach at the thought of him being with another girl.
I snatched the kit off the top shelf and then practically slammed it down on the counter. “Don’t let me keep you from your social life. I can certainly take care of some scraped knees.”
When I finally dared to look up, Wyatt grinned at me. “It’s not what you’re thinking, Jules. She doesn’t get off work until ten, so stop being all riled that I’m some asshole who only cares about girls for one thing.”
Hmm, that was unexpected. “Okay, fine.”
Patting the countertop, he said, “Now ease up on being so in control
, and let me take care of you.”
“All right, all right. I will.” But when I tried hopping up with my skinned knees, I slid right back down. “Crap.”
Before I could try again, Wyatt brought his hands to my waist. As his fingertips molded into my skin, I sucked in a breath. He hoisted me up like I was as light as a feather. “Thanks.”
“No problemo.” He grabbed the hem of my dress and started pushing it over my knees.
I smacked his hand away. “Easy now.”
Cocking his head, Wyatt flashed me a perfectly innocent look. “Just trying to assess the situation.”
“Umm-hmm. I think you were trying to assess a little of my ass.”
He busted out laughing. “One can only dream.” He then flipped open the lid on the First Aid kit and started laying out antiseptic and gauze.
“Think it went pretty well tonight with Jackson? You know, with your considerable expertise?”
“Yep, you did me proud, Julesy,” he replied, as he warmed a cloth under the hot water. When he brought it to my knee, I flinched. “Sorry,” he murmured.
“It’s okay.” I brought my free foot up to nudge him playfully in the chest. “I’m surprised you’re not giving me shit about being a big baby.”
“Nah, you took a pretty hard spill tonight. I mean, the first few layers of your skin are somewhere down on River Street. ” He worked the cloth down my leg, methodically wiping off the dried blood. I hated to admit it, but it felt really, really good. “Sounds like you got a lead tonight with Evan.”
“Yeah, I sure did.” I tapped him with my foot again. “You’re catching on quick.”
He raised his eyes momentarily from my legs and grinned. “Thanks.” Once he finished with the cloth, he took the antiseptic and dabbed it on the gauze. He hesitated before saying, “This is probably going to sting a little.”
The moment the gauze touched my skin tears stung my eyes, and I had to fight the urge to scream some strong obscenities. I clawed at Wyatt’s shoulders, digging my fingers into him. “Ow, ow, ow! Sting just a little? It burns like the raging fires of hell! What is that, kerosene?” When he did the other one, I dug in even harder.
Wyatt grimaced. “Ease up with the claws, Killer.”
“Sorry,” I whimpered. “I usually have a pretty strong threshold for pain.”
“Hang on. I’m almost done,” he said, reassuringly.
When he finally started putting on the bandages, I sighed with relief. “You’re going to be pretty bruised up for awhile, and you’ll need to change those tomorrow.”
“Yes, Dr. Deluca,” I replied with a smile.
He returned my smile. “All right then. I guess I better get going.”
His hands once again went to my waist as he eased me off the counter. “Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.” As he started down the hall, he glanced back. “See ya at Raye’s tomorrow?”
I nodded. “And thanks again for everything.”
“You’re welcome.”
After I closed and locked the door, I couldn’t help shaking my head. Tonight had been totally and completely crazy. But as I hobbled up the stairs, I knew there was the prospect of scoping out the Brandewine Institute tomorrow. All in a day’s work!
Chapter Fifteen
The following day found me back down at Raye’s. He and his muscled Marines had gone out to pick up a fugitive, and Wyatt and I were manning the phones until Sherry returned from lunch.
Wyatt slid his gaze from the laptop screen over to me. “Man, it’s slow today.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I was planning on doing a little recon work this afternoon on that lead from last night.” I twisted the case on my phone, unsure if I should ask the next question. I cleared my throat. “Do you wanna come with me?”
He rubbed the stubble on his chin. “Ooh, like a date?”
“God, you are so infuriating!” I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest. “Do you want to learn the business or not?”
Smirking, Wyatt nodded. “Yes, Obi Wan, I want to learn. What would you have me to do?”
“We’re going to the Brandewine Institute. It’s a group home for special needs adults—very wealthy special needs adults.”
“Um-hmm.”
“There’s a possibility that Marshall’s son, Evan, was placed in the home to be closer to Jackson.”
He made a face. “Why can’t we just call down there?”
“Man, you have so much to learn. Calling does nothing but help us get a location on Evan. Getting inside and interacting with the residents is what we have to do to get any concrete information on Emmett’s whereabouts.”
“Okay, okay, I get it. I’m a recon dumbass.”
My gaze swept over his holey jeans and faded t-shirt. “This place is kinda high end, so you need to dress…nice.”
“I always look nice.”
“That,” I motioned to his attire, “is not going to fly at the Brandewine Institute.”
Wyatt grumbled in frustration as he snapped his laptop closed and rose from his chair. “Fine, I’ll go home and change. Will that make you happy?”
I nodded. “Why don’t you pick me up at my house? I mean, we can’t be taking your motorcycle there anyway.”
Leaning forward on the desk, Wyatt cocked his head at me. “If I’m picking you up, it sure sounds like a date, Julesy.”
I pushed him back. “Just shut up and go change!”
***
After I told Raye what Wyatt and I were doing, I went home and changed myself. I’d resigned myself to driving Granddad’s Mercedes so I wouldn’t have to spend so much money on cab fare or taking the bus. But with Bryn gone to her dad’s and Aunt Lenore out on a friend’s party boat, I had another plan in mind.
I’d given Wyatt an hour to change and get back to my house. I took a quick shower and then decided on a purple sundress Mom had gotten for me. It had spaghetti straps and beading across the chest, and the length would cover my knees. I had just finished reapplying some makeup when I heard the doorbell ring. I grabbed up my jewelry and headed out into the hallway.
“Miss Julianne?” Alice called.
“Yeah—erm, Yes?”
“You have a guest waiting in the sitting room.”
I snapped the clasp on my necklace. “Coming!”
When I got downstairs, I froze at the sight of Wyatt standing in the doorway. He wore black dress pants, a black long sleeved shirt, and an electric blue tie. His usually unkempt hair was slicked back with what I could only imagine was hair gel. Even though it was obvious that using “product” was totally not his style, he looked really…hot.
When he caught me staring, open-mouthed, he glanced down self-consciously. “I wasn’t sure about the tie. Personally, I think it makes me look like a giant tool, but whatever.”
“No, the tie is awesome.” When he jerked his head up, I nodded. “You look awesome.”
His apprehension faded, and the usual cocky grin slunk across his face. “Did you actually just compliment me?”
“Yes, I did. But don’t let it go to your head. It’s big enough already.”
Wyatt chuckled. “Yeah, well, thanks for the compliment.”
“You’re welcome.” I motioned to the door. “Come on, we better get going.”
He followed me down the hallway. “So, are you having us chauffeured there or what?”
I turned and flashed him a wicked grin. “Actually, I’m going to steal my aunt’s car again.”
“Ooh, girl’s decided to go bad. I definitely like this side of you,” he quipped.
“Yeah, well, don’t get too used to it,” I replied, as Wyatt trailed behind me out the back door to the garage.
When we got inside, I motioned to the Porsche. Wyatt let out a low whistle. “Damn, that’s a car!”
“Yeah, my aunt has no appreciation for it…neither does Bryn.”
“Uh-huh.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just that you taking the c
ar has a lot to do with hating on your cousin.”
“Thank you Dr. Phil,” I replied, snatching the keys off the hook.
When I started for the car, Wyatt slid his body in front of the driver’s side door, blocking the handle. “What are the chances of you letting me drive?”
I slowly swiveled my head back and forth. “Not a chance in hell.”
“Oh come on. You owe me for getting all dressed up.” When I still didn’t budge, he puckered his lips out and made a puppy dog face. “Please.”
“You should know by now that none of your faces work on me.”
His shoulders drooped in defeat as he leaned toward me. “Why do you make me work so hard?”
I shifted on my feet. Suddenly, he was way too close for comfort. “Wait, what?”
“To make you believe I’m not a screw up.” As I was reeling from his words, he reached over and snatched the keys from my hand. “Ha! My vulnerable face totally worked on you!”
Seething, I sputtered, “Y-You are a giant asshole!”
He winked at me. “Hop in.”
Jabbing my finger into his chest, I spat, “I want you to think about this for a minute. If anything happens to this car, I’m telling Aunt Lenore you stole it! Then you can end up in prison where some hairy beast of a guy can make you his girlfriend!”
“Ooh, sounds kinky.”
And that did it. Since I didn’t want to mess up his clothes or mine, I had to go for an easy disabling move. I brought my hand to cuff his neck, finding the pressure point I needed. My thumb dug into the point, and Wyatt slumped back against the car. With him momentarily disabled, I snatched the keys back. I removed my hand and flashed him a sweet smile. “Bounty Hunting 101—never let your guard down, even after a suspect has faked you out!”
He stared at me, his mouth opening and closing several times like a fish out of water. “I can’t fucking believe you just took me out with your thumb!”
“If you play nice for awhile, I just might teach you how to do it, too.”
He grinned and shook his head before obediently filing around the front of the car. He hopped in the passenger seat and folded both of his hands in his lap. “All right. I’m playing nice. Can we go now?”
