e, and Emily thought he was going to tell her to go away and stop bothering him. She couldn't blame him, really. This city was full

of a soft leather glove on h

s voice hoarse. "I hate creeps who

feeling instant relief, not only due to his

ket with spiky hair?" he ask

o pretend she didn't even know Josh was here. It would make her date with this guy s

tranger reported. "He's

it somewhat nervously. "Waffling arou

ease go away, she

the stranger, "Yep, he's l

the rain-soaked pavement, her

fter all," she muttered

, his voice sounded less hoarse and more norm

okay?"

," sh

follow her here, but she didn't want to think about that now. The importan

ked. "Did you break that man's heart a

t him. We dated a long time ago in high school, and we weren't rig

l looked attractive even with a sharp creas

gged. "Nei

ading over her face because she didn't want to let go. The secu

rip as he reached into an inner poc

walked away. She felt bad enough about taking his

ke sure you get home safely. E

him. He was now dialing a number with one hand

never could predict when

sorry to keep you up so late, but would y

aybe this man would walk her home, not g

treet. Long grey jacket, spiky blond

listened intently, the p

lowing a woman, and I just want to make sure he doe

ne. He was really considerate, and she now felt selfish fo

of undercover det

corner of his mouth

n ho

work for me," the man said li

r crime lord with a bunch of tough guys working for him. His jacket and shoes looked expensive, and

he man, offering his hand,

but she took it, the warmth of

s name was well known, but Emily was pr

s Emily. E

a gift for making seconds appear to go by in slow motion. Fina

she replied

staurant nearby," Byron said, "and you look lik

pale," she

l my life," he replied, "so

g she wouldn't have believed possible

pire," she suggested, tryin

," he replied. "I really could use a plate of

ust before that jerk Chad disappointed her with his boring, self-centered conve

g to this man, and she didn't

t's go,"

der her later, at least he was witty and e