Page 47 of Below The Surface
“I think we should go to a meeting sometime soon.” Hayden runs his hands through his hair. “This stalker business has me really paranoid. I’m glad my uncle said I could come over there for a few nights. Hopefully, Kay can get things sorted for us. Strangely, I trust him.” He cracks a smile and shakes his head. “He’s kinda weird, but in a fun way. I kinda wish he was my brother. That would have been a blast growing up.”
He’d totally be an amazing big brother. Or a bratty little brother. I can see him being both. “Maybe he’s a middle child and trying to compensate for being ignored.”
“I don’t think anyone could ever ignore Kay. He’s too sparkly even if he’s not covered in glitter.”
I turn into the parking lot of the restaurant and thank the gods of parking spots for letting us get one so damn close.
“We’re gonna make it!” Hayden says as he hops down from my truck.
I have the folder with the proposal and we look both ways before we run across the street to the restaurant with Clayton and his business partner I haven’t met before. Here’s hoping we make an excellent impression.
14
CASEY
I tap my steering wheel, waiting at a red light, when Dallas pulls into the parking spot in front of a fancy restaurant. I know for a fact Clayton loves impressing his collab potentials, and it’s not like I’m jealous or anything. I just want to make sure the people under my protection are, well, protected.
I contemplate going inside. There are a few wigs in the trunk of my car. I could disguise myself if I wanted. But that would probably make Dallas think I’m his stalker, and we can’t have that.
No, I decide I have something else I need to take care of Dallas and Hayden will be fine with Clayton. If not, Clayton’ll will be a special Friday night guest sometime. I’m sure Kendra would be thrilled.
I pull into Jim’s place and park right up front so I can have a clean get away. Cindy won’t meet my eyes when I stomp inside and head straight for Jim.
“Meet us in back, Cindy,” I call out. They’re both in for a very rude awakening.
Jim’s eyes light up when he sees me. “Hey, Kay, what’s?—”
I grab him by his ponytail and yank his head down to me. “Why’d you lie to me, Jim?”
“Wh-what? What are you talking about?”
Cindy’s eyes go wide when she joins us. I grab the knife on the counter and use it to point toward Jim’s office.
“We need to have a little chat on lying to me.”
Cindy rushes to the office while I drag Jim by his ponytail. It’s hard for him to walk since I’m much shorter than him, but I don’t care.
I kick the door shut when we’re all inside. Jim glares at me and pulls his hair from the hair elastic, letting the waves tumble down his shoulders.
“I could be watching my beau right now, but instead I have to deal with you two.”
Cindy wrings her hands and sways from side to side in some kind of potty dance, it seems. “Why?”
I step right up to her and press the knife to her stomach. “You fucking lied to me and I hate liars.”
“No. No, we didn’t. I didn’t!” Cindy’s eyes dart to Jim and his face drops.
“One of you is going to tell me why you set me on the flower shop guys or I’m gonna start cutting off fingers by the knuckles to draw it out.”
Cindy yelps when I toss the knife in the air and catch it by the handle. She has no idea how many times I’ve practiced the trick.
“Talk.”
Cindy stops her jittering. “What’s there to talk about? The guys are a problem.”
“Yousaythat, but I’ve observed them for long enough to know they aren’t a threat. I did all my research and I want an explanation.” I meet both of their gazes.
Finally, Cindy cracks. Her shoulders drop and she lets out a breath. “The one was hitting on my boy. Sam flirted back. He’s not like that.”
