Chapter Forty-Three
Garrett knew going back into the store had been a horrible idea. Not only was it risky and unsafe, but how could he accept a present when he had nothing for her?
Maybe he could have spent the time looking for something, too. But, no, he’d had to make sure she was safe. Which meant staying close while some asshole followed her into the deserted automotive section. What the hell was she doing?
Hadn’t he taught her better than this? She should have come back to the front to find him at the first sign of trouble. Instead, she was hiding. And not very well.
The skinny man was moving into the dark hallway where she’d disappeared. Garrett frowned as he checked the door on the left. Locked. He wouldn’t be able to hide this guy’s body in there.
Just then, Sam launched into action.
She hit the dude across the throat with a tube of wrapping paper, and in a flash, his face was smashed into the floor, her gun pressed against the back of his skull.
Astounded, Garrett stood back to see if she would need his help. An impressed smile swept over his face. God, she was sexy when she was threatening someone with a gun.
“How many are there?” she asked the guy.
“What?” The asshole winced as she ground her gun into his temple. Damn, that looked like it hurt. Especially when she stepped harder on the back of his neck.
Garrett smiled wider.
“Don’t screw with me. How many of you are here?” she demanded.
“Just me. One person,” the guy said quickly, his voice squeaking. He was clearly terrified.
Garrett should have stepped in to help the poor guy out, but he was enjoying himself too much. Watching Sam’s moves was better than any action flick, and a hell of a lot hotter.
She handled herself like a pro, though he could see her chest moving rapidly as she swallowed. Despite her fear, she was dealing well with the situation.
Still, as much fun as it was watching her, he decided to intervene before the guy got hurt. “Let him up.”
She jumped as Garrett moved into the hall with his gun drawn and aimed at the asshole on the ground.
“Shit,” the guy said and closed his eyes like he was praying for his life.
Garrett noticed a puddle growing from his side. The guy had wet himself. With a look of disgust, Sam let go of him and stepped back to let Garrett handle it.
“He was following me.” Her shoulders relaxed, and Garrett felt a twinge of happiness that she was allowing him to help.
“No shit. He started following you as soon as you walked in, but I don’t think he planned to hurt you.”
The guy clearly wanted to hit on her.
She frowned in confusion.
God, she was adorable. Leave it to Sam to completely misread the loser’s intentions.
She glared at the guy like an angry kitten as he tried to stand up. “What do you want with me?”
The man glared down at his jeans, took a deep breath, and blurted, “I was just going to ask you out.”
“Oh.” She seemed completely stumped, which made her that much cuter. Garrett did his best to smother his smile when she looked over at him. “I guess I overreacted.”
“Ya think?” the guy snapped.
“Hey, now. No need to be rude. You were following the lady down a dark hallway. She had a right to protect herself.” Garrett stared the man down. “Maybe you’ll think about that the next time you decide to act like a stalker instead of just coming out with it.”
The man nodded. “No problem, man.”
“I’m sorry,” Sam offered. “Um… I’m married.” She held up her left hand, wiggling the fake wedding ring.
Garrett swallowed down his silly pride.
Despite the ring, he had no claim on her. And he never would. No matter how much he might want her to be his. It just wasn’t possible.
“Can I go now?” the man asked.
She looked at Garrett, silently asking him to make that decision.
“Go.” Garrett nodded.
As soon as the man was out of sight, she stowed her gun back in her waistband. “What if he says something?”
Garrett glanced at the guy’s pants and chuckled. “No way he’s ever going to tell anyone about this.”
She snickered.
He kissed her, unable to stop himself. Then brushed back a lock of her hair. “I’ll see you at the front of the store. Watch your step.” He pointed at the puddle and walked away, laughing.
How was he ever going to give her up?
“That was fun,” he said as they walked to the truck, a bent roll of wrapping paper sticking out of her bag. He slung his arm over her shoulder and winked at her. “Poor guy. He’ll probably never ask anyone out again in his life.”
She rolled her eyes. “Watch it, or you’re going to end up with a bag of coal for Christmas.”
She stayed in the truck while he ran into the liquor store to get the wine. He felt a little more at ease leaving her alone, now that he knew she could defend herself. At least against unwanted advances.
He was still smiling as he perused the wine aisle for something special. He still didn’t have so much as a twinge of regret over the change in their relationship. In fact, he was looking forward to getting to the safe house so he could be with her again.
The few times in the past when he’d been locked away with someone had always been a pain, but being with Sam didn’t even feel like a job anymore.
As he was making his way to the register, his phone vibrated. His boss had been trying to get in touch with him ever since Garrett had hung up on him.
“Damn it,” he said, moving down the aisle so Sam couldn’t see him on the phone. So much for it not feeling like a job. “Yeah?” he answered.
“So you’re still on the job?”
“Of course.”
“Is she okay?” Thorne asked.
“She’s fine.”
“And you?”
Garrett knew Thorne wasn’t asking just to be friendly. He flexed his arm, feeling the burn as the stitches pulled. “I’m healing.”
“Can you still be effective?”
“Definitely.”
“Does she suspect anything about…what’s coming?”
“No. I haven’t said a thing, as ordered.” Garrett was almost insulted by the question.
“It’s time,” Thorne said.
Garrett’s heart pounded harder. He wasn’t ready for his time with her to be over. And it would be. As soon as she learned the truth, and what he’d been hiding from her.
“No. I still don’t think it’s a good idea,” Garrett said firmly.
“Good thing you don’t get paid for thinking.”
“Look, I’m getting her to the new safe house tonight. We should let her rest.”
“Rest from what?”
“Are you kidding me?” Garrett clamped his jaw. Sometimes his boss was completely oblivious and insensitive. “What’s the big rush?” he said, forcing himself to sound calmer. “I can bring her in after the holidays.” He really wanted to have Christmas with her. They already had plans.
Thorne hesitated for a moment, then said, “Okay. After the New Year. I’ll call when I’ve set things up.”
Garrett hung up the phone and went to pay for the wine. His good mood had taken a hit, but he was not going to let SD Thorne ruin his remaining time with Sam.
Garrett would have hell to pay later, he knew that. But it would be worth it.