Throw Dylan from the Train (S.A.F.E. Detective Agency)

by Piper Davenport

  “Addison,” he groaned, leaning down to get nose-to-nose with me. “Knock it off.”

  I took advantage of his closeness and kissed him. I had intended for it to be a quickie, but he slid his hand to the back of my head and pulled me in for a much deeper connection. Mmmm...delicious.

  He broke the kiss and shook his head. “Pain in the ass.”

  I grinned. “Back atya.”

  Jake laughed. “Damn it, Addison. Even when you’re a pain in the ass, you’re fuckin’ cute.”

  “I try.”

  He pulled away from me, but lifted my hand to his mouth and kissed the palm. “We’ll talk more about this”—he nodded toward Greg’s duplex—“later.”

  “Um...I’m okay if we don’t.”

  “I’m not,” he said, firmly. “I’ll swing by after shift, unless you plan on doing something equally as stupid and won’t be home.”

  “No, I’ll be home,” I admitted.

  “Eleven too late?”

  “If I said yes, would you sleep on it?”

  “Nope.”

  “Didn’t think so,” I grumbled. “I’ll see you at eleven, but only if you promise there will be make-up sex.”

  “Hell, yeah.”

  “Correct answer, Detective Parker.”

  “Come on, I’ll walk you to your car.” He took my hand and tugged me toward my Mercedes, leaning down to kiss me gently before I climbed in. He watched me drive away and I couldn’t help a little smile at the thought he was a little insecure about where we stood. I liked having the upper hand, even if it was miniscule.

  My victory lasted for all of five seconds when I remembered he was coming by later to discuss my job. Gah! Like he had any say in it at all. My warm fuzzies evaporated like smoke in a hurricane, quickly replaced by righteous indignation, morphing into full-blown irritation and thoughts of voodoo dolls. By the time I arrived at my apartment, I was spitting mad.

  Dylan

  JAKE TUGGED ADDISON away and started interrogating her. I handed off my bagged glass of wine to Officer Pike, and he promised to make sure it was submitted for testing. I couldn’t tell whether or not Greg was being arrested, and I didn’t want to stick around and find out.

  Addison and Jake’s argument was getting increasingly animated. I wasn’t worried about her safety—Jake was an old-fashioned gentleman who’d never hurt her—but I was afraid Addison would say something she’d regret. I stayed close enough to jump in if she needed me, but far enough away that I couldn’t eavesdrop. To distract myself, I pulled out my phone to check the time. I had five missed calls from Asher.

  Crap! Asher!

  In the chaos, I’d completely forgotten about our date, which I was now about forty-five minutes late to. I’d been so worried about Addison, I hadn’t even texted him to tell him I was running behind.

  My phone pinged with an incoming text from him. “Dylan, where are you? Why aren’t you or Addie answering your calls? Call me!”

  I interrupted Jake and Addison’s conversation long enough to let them know I was heading back to the condo. Then I got into my car and made the call I was dreading.

  Asher picked up on the second ring. “Where are you? Are you okay?” he asked.

  I knew he was right to be worried since I was never late, and had recently been abducted and shot at, but it still bothered me that his mind immediately went there. “Yes, I’m fine. I’m sorry I worried you. Addie and I were working and we lost track of time.”

  “Working? Where? You’re not at the office.”

  “We’re doing a job for Ethan,” I replied.

  “And Addie’s there with you?”

  “Yeah. Well, kinda. She’s talking to Jake right now.”

  His end of the phone went quiet and I could picture his sexy lawyer brain trying to figure out what I wasn’t saying and which questions he needed to ask. He knew I wouldn’t lie to him, but I wouldn’t volunteer information that incriminated me or Addison either.

  “Is Addie okay?” he asked.

  “Yes.” She was physically fine. And judging by the way she was waving her hands in the air, Jake was the one I was worried about.

  “You’re being very evasive,” Asher said. “I need to see you and know you’re okay. Can we still meet up?”

  I didn’t think it was a good idea, but could tell he wasn’t going to give up. “I’m heading home. Want to meet me there in about fifteen minutes?”

  He sighed. “I’m already here. I’ll wait for you.”

  On the drive home, my shoulders twisted and turned into what I’m sure resembled a figure-eight knot, as I practiced what I’d tell Asher. By the time I parked and headed up to the condo, I felt like the Hunchback of Notre Dame.

  Asher had let himself in and was standing at the kitchen island, suit and hair rumpled, tie loosened, beer in hand. I’d put him through so much since we started dating, and even though most of it wasn’t my fault I couldn’t help but feel guilty. His expression relaxed when he saw me, hurrying my feet along. He pulled me close to him, squeezing me gently before pushing me an arm’s length away and doing a full inspection.

  “I’m fine, Ash,” I reassured him.

  “Just making sure. Where’s my sister?”

  “She’s still with Jake. I have a feeling they’ll be a while.”

  I could tell he was still worried and desperate for answers, but he was trying not to freak out. I appreciated his restraint, but wondered how long it would last. He tugged me with him to the sofa, sat, and pulled me onto his lap, stroking my back the whole time. I leaned against him, dreading the argument I knew was about to happen.

  “So you were on a job...” Asher started.

  I nodded against his firm chest and told him the story. As I spoke, his body grew increasingly tense beneath me. When I finished, he sucked in a breath and said, “Wow. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  I chanced a look at his face. His expression was stern, his jaw locked. Not good. “You would have talked us out of it.”

  “Of course I would have talked you out of it. Dylan, that was crazy.”

  “I know!” I pulled away from him and stood. I needed space between us so I could think. “I tried to talk her out of it, but this is our first job, and you know Addie doesn’t like to lose. I couldn’t let her go without me.”

  “No.” Asher frowned. “You did the right thing, I just...I wish she would have chosen a different career path to get so damn passionate about.”

  “She’s good at it, Asher. Trust me when I tell you she had the situation handled. She really made the slime-ball wet himself. I’m not even exaggerating. It’s bizarre, but I think Addie has found her calling. I love working with her and figuring this stuff out, and she loves taking down the bad guys.”

  Asher sighed deeply, his shoulders relaxing, and looked up at the ceiling. “I guess there’s only one thing left to do, then.”

  I chewed on my bottom lip, hoping he wasn’t about to cut me loose. I needed him to be okay with me and Addison putting our lives in danger for our job, and that was a lot to ask of my boyfriend. None of the knuckle-draggers from my home town would have been okay with it. If Asher couldn’t handle my job, then I’d have to...to...I didn’t even know. Fearing the worst, I asked, “What’s that?”

  His gaze met mine and stayed locked there for a moment. Then the side of his lips turned up in his very delicious smirk. “I’m gonna have to buy stock in antacids. Maybe pee pads, too. I would have paid money to watch that prick piss himself.” He chuckled.

  Relieved, I slipped back onto his lap and kissed the breath out of him. His hands were starting to migrate up my shirt when the front door flung open and Addison stormed in. I leapt from Asher’s lap, but he grabbed my hand and pulled me back down.

  “She doesn’t look happy,” I whispered.

  Addison flicked her wrist and slammed the door. “That alpha male, pain in the ass—”

  “Hi Addie,” Asher said with a chuckle.

  She spun around with a shocked
expression. Pulling herself together, she straightened her shoulders and forced a smile. “Well, hello you two. You look happy. What’s that like, Dylan? Hmm? Having a man who supports you and loves you and kisses you instead of informing you he’s coming over to discuss your career choice like it’s any of his business!”

  I chose not to respond, in an effort not to feed the beast.

  “I think this is my cue to leave,” Asher said, and rose to his feet, setting me gently on mine. “Good to see you, Sis.” He leaned down and kissed me. “Love you, Dylan. Dinner tomorrow?”

  I nodded, sad to see him walk out the door. Addison bolted the door and dropped her keys on the hall table.

  “You wanna fill me in?” I asked.

  * * *

  Addison

  I gave Dylan the rundown on my conversation with Jake, but when she didn’t say anything, I glanced at her and scowled. She was pressing her lips together in a thin line, but her eyes danced with hilarity. “Suck it!” I snapped.

  She burst out laughing and I threw the only thing close to me...a stupid pillow. A throw pillow. By its stupid damn title, it did exactly what it was supposed to do. Why couldn’t there have been a throw hammer or a throw anvil close?

  Dylan raised her hands in surrender and picked up the pillow. “Okay, I’m done. I’m sorry.”

  I flopped onto the sofa and dropped my face in my hands. “I don’t understand why he makes everything so difficult! I just want a nice man. One who doesn’t give me grief, you know?”

  “No you don’t.”

  “Yes I do!”

  Dylan sat next to me and gave me a sympathetic smile. “Addie, you’ve dated ‘nice men’ before, remember? You know, the guys who can’t say no to you, guys like Robbie. Remember him? He was so sweet he gave me a toothache.”

  “He was a pussy,” I replied.

  “Exactly. That boy didn’t just let you walk on him, he let you tap dance on his face. And as a result, you lost all respect for him. Any idea why?”

  “Because I’m hopeless and destined to be a spinster for the rest of my life?”

  She rolled her eyes. “No. Because you are a strong, independent woman who doesn’t respect men who aren’t strong enough to stand up to you. You need someone like Jake, because he doesn’t cower down when you growl or come running every time you snap your perfectly manicured fingers, and you need that.”

  “I don’t even like him,” I pouted.

  “You do too, and I think you’re secretly enjoying this overprotective alpha male card he’s pulling on you. You like the challenge. You huff and puff, but deep down you’re hoping he’s man enough to blow your brick walls down. Admit it.”

  I sighed. “I actually prefer it when he blows my panties down...”

  “See, pissed at the guy, and you’re still thinking about getting into his pants. You love the challenge.”

  I knew she was right, irritatingly so, but I wasn’t ready to concede yet. “Don’t talk to me like you know me.”

  Dylan giggled and rose to her feet. “Hungry?”

  I nodded. “Starving.”

  “Okay, I’ll make us a snack. Maybe it’ll keep you from biting off Jake’s head when he gets here.”

  I snorted. “Doubtful.”

  * * *

  Jake arrived just after eleven and I forced a smile as I opened the door and stepped back to let him inside.

  “Hey,” he said.

  “Hey. Can I get you a beer?”

  He shook his head. “I won’t be here for very long.”

  Well, that didn’t sound good.

  “Jake, I—”

  “Wait,” he interrupted. “Look, I’ve thought a lot about our conversation earlier, and I realize it’s not fair for me to try to put limitations on what you choose to do in your life.”

  I relaxed, my guardedness leaving me. “Thank you.”

  “That being said, I can’t...” He cleared his throat, “I can’t worry about you jumping in and out of dangerous situations.”

  “Then don’t, honey. Dylan and I have everything under control.”

  He shook his head. “That’s not what I mean.”

  I frowned, confused. “Well, what do you mean?”

  “This isn’t going to work, Addison. I’m sorry.”

  “What isn’t going to work?” I asked, but my stomach started to roil with the realization I was pretty sure what he was saying.

  “This.”

  “Are...are you breaking up with me?”

  His face gave away nothing. No emotion, nothing. I searched his eyes and saw sadness there, but I could have been projecting.

  “I’m sorry, Addison. I really wish the best for you.” He sidled around me and pulled open the door, glancing back at me. “Sorry.”

  He walked out the door and I stood frozen to the spot, not entirely sure I knew what had just happened.

  Dylan

  I HAD JUST closed myself in my room when my cell phone rang. I snagged it off the nightstand and checked the display. Groaning, I accepted the call and said, “Hey, Dad.”

  When my dad was sober he was a pretty decent guy, but he was rarely sober.

  “Hey princess, how’s the new business going?”

  Since admitting our lack of immediate success to my old man was out of the question, I scoured my brain for a way to put a positive spin on our current situation. Forcing a smile I hoped transferred to my tone, I said, “We finally got everything done and the office looks gorgeous. You should see this place.”

  “I bet it does,” he replied. “Those Allens were born with a silver spoon in their mouths, after all.”

  Dad wasn’t a big fan of my friendship with Addison, and I shuddered to think of what he’d say if he knew about my and Asher’s relationship status. He didn’t trust rich people, and he wanted nothing more than for me to pack my bags, say good-bye to city life, and return to the town I’d grown up in. I couldn’t understand why Dad would want me to move back, when we could barely maintain civil tones for a five-minute phone conversation.

  And I wasn’t going to let him throw backhanded compliments at the Allens. “Their spoons are actually platinum, Dad. Silver’s not worth that much anymore.”

  I could almost hear him shaking his head on the other end of the line.

  Tired of waiting for him to come up with a witty retort, I got down to business. “What’d you call for?”

  “A recommendation, actually. You know we don’t have any private investigators in town, but there’s been some theft happening lately.”

  My ears perked up. “What kind of theft?”

  “Nothing too serious, but some of the seniors have reported missing jewelry.”

  “Seniors? As in Grandma?” I asked.

  He sighed. “Yeah, your grandma is one of them. She claims someone snuck into her room down at the old folks’ home and took some rings and necklaces and shit.”

  My grandma and I weren’t close. My dad was Grandma’s baby and she worshiped the ground he walked on. She’d never forgiven my mother for taking him away from her. And since I was the spitting image of Mom, Grandma wasn’t exactly my biggest fan. Regardless, the idea of someone breaking into her room and stealing her jewelry really pissed me off.

  “Is Grandma okay?” I asked.

  “She wasn’t there when it happened, but she’s pretty shook up about it. She told the cops, but you know how they are.”

  My home town police force was known for their avoidance of action. They mostly hung around the Main Street restaurants, drinking coffee and talking about people. In their defense, Lakeview was a small town where nothing ever happened, so it wasn’t like they had much to do.

  “You said there were other seniors who were robbed?” I asked.

  “Old Lady Rogers, Ms. Samuelson, Jeff Long’s aunt, a few others.”

  “Ms. Samuelson?” I asked. “As in my kindergarten teacher, Ms. Samuelson?”

  “The one and only. She still asks about you every time I go in to visit Ma.�
�

  “What kind of asshat would steal from Ms. Samuelson?” I asked.

  Where Grandma was an opinionated old goat who didn’t care about anyone’s feelings, Ms. Samuelson was a sweet woman with a heart of twenty-four-karat gold. My class had been the last one she taught before she’d retired, and we’d run circles around that poor woman, but she was bound and determined to teach us a thing or two. She had the patience of a saint and the tenacity of a pit bull, and the idea of someone stealing from her made me want to turn into She-Hulk and smash up the guilty party.

  “That’s what we’re tryin’ to figure out. In your new line of work, I was hoping you had some recommendations—maybe from the city—who might be able to help us out without charging an arm and a leg.”

  “I see.” Admitting I didn’t know anyone in the business would make me sound like a total newbie, so I said, “Let me do some research and get back to you.”

  “Thanks, honey. Talk to you soon.” He disconnected.

  I needed to talk to Addison, but didn’t know whether or not Jake was still here having their “discussion,” so I tiptoed to my door, cracked it open, and listened for telltale signs like screaming or breaking china. The condo was silent, so I walked out to the living room to find Addison standing in the middle of the foyer staring at the door, her face expressionless.

  “Addie?” I asked, glancing around. “Is Jake already gone?” If so, that had to be the shortest fight in history.

  She glanced at me, but didn’t answer.

  “Are you okay? Did something happen?”

  Her chin quivered and a flood of tears poured down her face as she lost her composure and slid to the floor. “Addie?”

  “Jake,” she said on a sob.

  I hunkered down beside her. “Jake, what? Honey, what’s going on? Is he hurt? Did he get shot?”

  “I wish!” she cried, then sobbed anew.

  Okay then. I crawled to the coffee table, which wasn’t far, and grabbed a box of tissues, handing it to her. “What happened?”

  “Jake...he...he...broke up with me!” she cried.

  “What?!” I exclaimed. “Where is he?”