Page 41 of Cold Silence
Travis slipped out of his bowling shoes. “I have to admit it was uncomfortable.”
“They just don’t get it. But they will. Everyone will.” Robb packed up his equipment. “Once I make Claire mine. For life.”
You won’t get close enough to make her yours for even a minute.
Robb leaned closer, and Travis had to fist his hands not to deck the guy. “But see, what they don’t know is, I’ve got this big thing in the works that’s gonna ensure Claire will marry me.”
The soda Travis drank earlier churned in his stomach, but he swallowed before talking and letting out his disgust for this man. “Big thing? Like what?”
“I don’t want to talk about the details. You know, in case I jinx it.” Robb winked. “But trust me. It’s gonna happen soon. Real soon and she won’t know what hit her.”
Robb stowed his shoes in his bowling bag and picked it up. “Let’s get your shoes turned in and get out of here.”
Travis headed to the rental return, questioning Robb on the way, but he’d clammed up. Outside, Travis turned to Robb. “I’ll be in town for a week or so. Maybe we could grab a beer.”
“Maybe.” Robb slid into his car.
Frustrated, Travis stepped back as Robb pulled out. Travis hurried to his SUV and followed Robb’s car. It was soon clear he was heading home, but Travis kept on his tail through light traffic on this clear evening. Robb parked in his lot and entered his apartment. Travis hung out for an hour to make sure Robb didn’t leave again. Watching and stewing.
He’d been inches from the creep stalking Claire, and Travis had let him walk away. Just like that. No punishment. One of the hardest things Travis had done.
Second only to leaving now without doing anything. He cranked his engine and pointed his SUV toward Claire’s place.
Robb’s words reverberated through his brain.
Soon. Real soon.
Had Robb really stolen the prototype to stage a phony recovery of the device to garner Claire’s favor? Or were his plans more sinister and totally unrelated to the theft?
She’s mine.The words shot into Travis’s brain.Whoa, what? Where had that come from?
Time to admit it. He wasn’t over Claire. Far from it. His feelings for her were just as strong as the day she’d rejected him. Could they work things out now? Was he even willing to try after the way she’d let him down? How could he even consider trusting her again when her rejection still stung?
Hah, get a grip.A second chance wasn’t for him. Wasn’t for most of the guys in his company. Most women couldn’t handle a spec ops guy continually leaving at a moment’s notice with no idea when they’d return. He didn’t like the situation, but he understood. Besides, Claire might be attracted to him, but she’d made it perfectly clear that she wasn’t interested in pursuing anything, whether he wanted to or not.
Feeling defeated, he parked in her driveway and knocked on the door.
Gage answered.
“We good?” Travis asked.
“All clear,” Gage said.
Travis lowered his voice and shared his findings along with photos from Robb’s place.
Gage let out a low whistle. “He’s really looking like our guy.”
“Yeah,” Travis said. “Question is, do I show this to Claire?”
Gage cocked his head. “Keep it from her, and she’ll never trust you again.”
Travis could barely stomach the thought of hurting her.
“You know I’m right,” Gage said.
“I do.”
“Then do the right thing, man.” Gage clapped Travis on the back. “No matter how much it hurts you.”
