Part 12 (1/2)
”I'm not sure what kind of information he got, to tell you the truth.”
”The usual. He tailed Wayne, put a bug on his phone, bugged and tailed the people Wayne talked to, stuff like that.”
”I had no idea Bryan could do all that!”
Nick smiled. ”Well, yeah-that's what he gets paid to do. He used to do it in very dangerous countries.” He chuckled a little, like he thought it was funny she didn't realize what Bryan did for a living. Then he shrugged again. ”Of course, he never saw any of the Kuba wolves until the night he found them at your grandmother's place. Everyone's impressed with the way he took them down alive. Your boyfriend's a smart one.”
She nodded, too filled with goofy pride in Bryan to quibble about the boyfriend label. ”Wayne would've had a heart attack if he'd known someone had all that dirt on him.”
”Sounds like Wayne wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer.”
”No, but he was big and mean and good at scaring people.”
”Well, according to Bryan, a lot of people knew about your grandmother's operation and turned a blind eye to it. Which I guess is normal for small towns.” He put his hands behind his head and leaned back in his chair. ”Tell you the truth, if the government would get the f.u.c.k over it and legalize drugs, lowlifes like these Euros would have a lot less power.”
She didn't hide her grin. ”My grandmother would be appalled to hear someone suggesting drugs should be legal. She thought people who took drugs were the sc.u.m of the earth.”
He looked straight into her eyes, and she dropped her gaze again.
”You had a lousy childhood, didn't you?”
”How'd you know?” she whispered.
”Because I had a lousy childhood, and I can always spot it. I think we carry it in our eyes.”
She'd have to take his word for it, since she couldn't see his eyes. ”Everything was fine until my mother died.”
”Same here.”
After a moment's silence, Nick stood. ”Well, that's all I have for now.”
They started the trek back across the cavernous office.
”I hear you got away with a nice chunk of change.”
”Um, yeah.”
”Good. Don't mention it to the Feds-they'll seize it as evidence. Give it to Bryan to stick in his safe.”
”I thought I'd put it in a bank. I didn't know he had a safe.”
”Every werewolf has a safe. And you can't stick a hundred grand in a bank account without raising the wrong eyebrows.”
”Oh.” She blushed. ”I didn't-”
”Don't worry about it.” He flicked a dismissive hand. ”You're a smart girl. You'll get used to life in the big city in no time.”
Bryan was standing at the same spot they'd left him. He held out his arms with a questioning look, and she walked into them with a smile.
”See there, B? I didn't scare her or anything. When TJ gets here, you and I- Ah. Here she is.”
TJ started talking before she was off the elevator. ”You ready? We're meeting Lark in the Village and we're already running late. Oh hey, your a.s.s looks fantastic in those jeans. Didn't I tell you it would?”
”Yes, you did. And thanks.”
She'd felt decadent spending so much money-someone else's money-on a pair of blue jeans and what was basically a T-s.h.i.+rt, even though the T-s.h.i.+rt was lavishly painted and studded with rhinestones. But she had to admit the outfit looked great with her new boots.
”The first place we're looking at is a little complex around the corner from where we're eating lunch,” TJ continued. ”Lark used to date a guy who lived there and she said the management's great.”
”I can't wait to see it.”
”What?” Bryan frowned. ”What complex? What are y'all looking at?”
”They're taking me to look for an apartment!” She'd wanted to wait until she'd actually found one before she told him. If he knew she didn't plan on staying at his place any longer than necessary, then he wouldn't feel tied down or responsible for her.
He didn't seem relieved, though. ”Why are you looking at apartments?”
”Well, because- Because I can't stay at your place forever, can I? I mean, I need to find a place to live.”
”No, of course not, I just- I don't want you to feel like you have to move out, like, today. Have I made you feel unwelcome or something?”
”No! Not at all!”
He took one of her hands in his. ”I mean, it's only been three days. I'm not gonna kick you out after three days.”
”I know, I-” She stammered to a halt as she noticed TJ and Nick staring at them, TJ with a smirk and Nick with a knowing smile. Nancy was smiling as well. Bryan, suddenly aware of the scrutiny, dropped her hand with a shrug.
”Well, you know. Whatever you want to do is fine with me, but don't feel like you have to jump at the first place you see. Take your time.”
”I will. Thanks.”
TJ took her by the elbow. ”All right, now that we've got that settled, can we get going, please? I'm hungry, we're late, let's go.”
”Wait a minute. Where's your purse, angel? Don't you have your phone with you?”
”My purse is at ho- Your place, but I have my phone.” She patted the pocket of her thin brown leather jacket, which cost more than everything else she was wearing combined.
”Good. So if I call you, you're gonna answer, right? Not like yesterday?”
TJ made an exasperated sound and tugged at her arm. ”Come on. Let's bust a move before he decides he can't let you out of his sight. Nick, I'm gone for the day.”
Bryan grabbed her other arm and pulled her to him, kissing her quick and hard. ”I'll call you in a little bit, and I want you to answer.”
She laughed. ”You are so cute.”
”I am so disgusted. Now let's move, Lark's waiting for us.” TJ was already in the elevator.