Rising Hope by Edie James
14
Even with Enzoblocking her from view, Sarah could feel his family watching them. The sense came across almost as strongly as Enzo’s disapproval. Her intrusion not only surprised him; it made him angry.
She shouldn’t have acknowledged him.
He made a valiant effort to hide it, but she was an expert at decoding emotions. Plus he had her backed into the corner, shielding her from view with his body. He didn’t want her here.
Not a new feeling. Still, ouch.
“How can I help?” he asked, his tone surprisingly sincere.
Sure. The quicker he got her out of here, the better.
Still, she wouldn’t turn down the assistance. She had no phone, no cash, and no safe way back to the house.
She was just about to answer when the doors opened. Her attackers shouldered their way inside. Like Sarah, they scanned the room, zeroing in on her. Between the hard looks and their aggressive stances, they clearly weren’t worried about telegraphing their interest in her.
“Looks like your friends are here,” Enzo observed. “Noah’s a detective,” he said. “He can handle—”
“No!” She cut him off. “No local cops.” No way she’d put his family in any more danger.
He rubbed his jaw, clearly not happy with her order. “Halliburton said there might be local officials involved. I can’t believe that.”
And he probably shouldn’t. It wasn’t the locals who worried her. She thought about revealing her concerns about the mission, but what would be the point? He wasn’t in a position to help her investigate. She forced herself to shrug. “Halliburton’s a pain. He’s known for being overly cautious.”
Enzo turned to check on his family. Sarah peaked around his shoulder. The women sat quietly, eyes on the bikers. It was the men who worried her. The detective had one hand on his hip. Ready to draw a weapon for sure. He watched the newcomers through lowered lids. Smart. The guy clearly knew how to handle violent types who’d perceive direct eye contact as a challenge.
The other two men radiated alertness. The big blond had to be law enforcement. Something about his body language made her think he was armed. The dark-haired guy who resembled Enzo just looked intimidating.
Please don’t let them make any moves, she thought.
Enzo gave her a long look. He obviously sensed the danger, too. He rubbed his stubbled jaw. “We need these guys to disappear. Now, before Noah and Dante get it into their heads to help.”
Inspiration flashed. She reached for his hand. “Pretend you’re happy to see me.”
“Uh…” He had a deer-in-the-headlights look.
She rolled her eyes and flipped her hair back off her shoulder. “Just pretend you’re having a good time. That can’t be so hard.”
He hesitated, as if she’d asked him to throw himself off a cliff or take a bullet. Either of which he’d probably gladly do before pretending to enjoy her company.
“What do they want?” he asked.
She grinned up at him as if he’d just said something funny. If the Diablos thought she was with friends, they’d scuttle off. “Money. Drugs. The usual. Word’s getting around about B3yond. They’re not the only gang that’ll want a piece of this. Entirely expected.”
“But you don’t have a plan for handling it.”
An excellent point.
She couldn’t resent his implication that someone had dropped the ball. “We didn’t expect them so soon. I guess my cover’s working better than I thought.”
He sighed. “Or The Cove’s gossip network is smaller than you figured. News travels fast around here, whether you want it to or not.”
He looked from the goons to his family and back again.
She got it. He didn’t want this mission to touch his personal life. A luxury she’d never had. Or deserved.
Envy tightened her stomach. What did it feel like to have people you cared enough about to guard? People who actually deserved protecting?
She gestured at him. “Let me borrow your phone. I’ll call for backup and be out of your hair.”
He handed it over without hesitation. She dialed Halliburton. She hated to admit she needed help. The man would gloat for weeks. Unfortunately, his private line was the only number she knew by heart.
Not a fact she liked to admit.
“Halliburton. Go.” He answered in his usual, brusk manner.
She swallowed her pride and explained the situation.
He listened without interrupting. One of the few traits of his she admired.
“I’m dispatching an agent to your location now,” he said when she finished. “I’ll get a couple more over to the house, make sure the Diablos aren’t waiting around. You’ll have security on site twenty-four seven until we beef up the system.”
Her body sagged with relief. “I appreciate it.”
Halliburton skipped the niceties. “We can’t have your stash hitting the streets. Someone’ll figure out it’s fake.”
Right. Her safety was not the top priority. “Roger that.”
She ended the call and handed the phone back to Enzo. The two bikers were still standing just inside the door, obviously unsure whether to stay or go. Enzo’s crowd watched them. The rest of the patrons steered clear.
The busy staff threw them sidelong glances as they slung pizzas and bussed tables. They knew better than to ignore potential trouble.
“They’re sending backup for me. You can go,” she told Enzo. “I’ll get a table. Those idiots’ll get tired of waiting real fast.”
For a second, she expected him to take her up on the offer, but he shook his head. “I can’t let you hang out here by yourself. I’ll look like a jerk.”
“Well we can’t have that.” As if she needed a reminder of where his priorities lay.
“You should order a pizza,” he said randomly.
“I’m sure it’s great. Not hungry though.”
“I was thinking about your cover.”
Right. Cover. “That is an excellent idea, Lieutenant. Now you’re thinking like an undercover cop.”
He shrugged off her compliment. “You order. I’ll go let my family know I’ll be a few minutes.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“Yeah, it is. I’m sticking close until your backup arrives.”
“Okay.”
She could have refused his offer, but it would be nice to have someone watching her back. And she could do with the company for a few minutes. She told herself it would be good to practice talking to a real person, but it was more than that. Enzo had a calming quality. Whether it came from being surrounded by family, or from his obvious faith, the casual confidence infused him with a strong centeredness she’d never encountered before.
It attracted her like a magnet.
She watched him move through the crowd, smiling at people he knew. Instead of heading for his family, though, he took a hard left, heading straight for the Diablos.
And her with no weapon.
She eyed his family. The tall one, the detective, watched every move. He’d have a handgun. And a badge.
She started toward Enzo and the men, but before she reached them, the two thugs left.
Avoiding eye contact with his family, Enzo re-joined her. Confronting the Diablos had been a dumb move for an unarmed man. She was grateful the goons backed down. A tiny part of her was grateful he’d stuck up for her, too.
“What did you say to them?” she asked.
He kept moving, forcing her to follow, only stopping once he was back in their original corner. “I said you were with me. I may also have mentioned that my brother’s the chief of police.”
“I thought you didn’t want anyone to know you were involved with the mission.”
“Small price to pay for avoiding a potential riot.”
But was it? She could see the conflict play across his tight face.
A dark SUV slowed as it pulled into the parking lot. Her ride had arrived. “It’s safe now. I’ll go.”
“I’ll see you out.”
“You don’t have to—“
He eyed his friends who were watching him expectantly. “Uh, yeah, I do. It’s what men do around here.”
“Right. Of course.” It’s what nice men did.
Someday, when she was free of roles like that of Peaches Duvall, maybe she’d meet a nice guy. Someday, when she could live a life free from lies and deception. And the dark, dirty world that would infect anyone she cares about.
Not with a real hero like Enzo. She could leave the undercover life behind, but she couldn’t hide her background forever. He’d find out the truth eventually. When he did, Peaches Duvall would look like a saint compared to her.
There weren’t many people she cared to impress. Enzo MacKenzie, unfortunately, was now one of them.