Geneva laughed and gave a little shrug. “I’ll take that as a compliment.” She grabbed her jacket from the hall closet. “So, you’re not going to read me the riot act for letting him in? You’re not concerned that we might’ve done a little somethin’-somethin’ before you arrived?”
“Did you?” he asked simply, his dark stare nailing her in place.
“Of course not, but I’m surprised that you didn’t freak out the way you did the other day at my shop.”
“What good would it have done? You do remember how well that went over, right?”
“Yeah, but…” He was right. Had he come in there acting like he owned her or something, she probably would’ve lashed out. “I can’t figure you out.”
He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her against his hard body. “The feeling is mutual.” He lowered his head and kissed her with so much passion Geneva was tempted to suggest they spend a few hours in her bedroom instead of a pool hall. She didn’t. She liked the idea of them actually going on a date.
When the kiss ended, she slowly opened her eyes. “That was nice, and I’m glad you weren’t mad.”
“I didn’t say I wasn’t mad.” He dropped his arms to his sides. “I don’t like any man near you, especially one I don’t trust. If I find Reuben here again, I’m going to kill him. Now, are you ready to go?”
Geneva didn’t move, trying to determine whether he was serious. She was sure he wouldn’t kill anyone over her, but he might make Reuben’s life difficult. She’d learned that the men of Supreme Security were very resourceful.
“You do trust me, right?” she asked.
“Yeah, sure, but Geneva, I don’t trust him. By letting him into your house, you’re putting yourself at risk. He made it clear that he’s still in with the Minauros Devils, and we both know that they’re trouble. They’re dangerous people who you don’t want to get caught up with. So just stay the hell away from that guy.”
She couldn’t argue with that. Reuben had told her that he was done with that life, but she honestly didn’t know if that was the truth. He had just started coming back around, and since she hadn’t spent any length of time with him, Geneva honestly didn’t know what he was involved with. All she had to go by was his word. In the past, he’d always been straight with her, but who knew if he was telling the truth?
“I’ve been done with him. It’s just you and me, babe.”
Myles smiled and took her hand. “Good, because I don’t like sharing. Now let’s get out of here.”
Chapter Sixteen
Myles gripped the steering wheel tighter as he hopped onto Highway 285 to head to Whitney’s house. He and Geneva hadn’t gotten far when he received a call from Wiz. Whitney’s house alarm had been tripped a few minutes ago. The cops were on their way there, and Myles wanted to make sure everything was all right.
“I’m sorry about tonight.” He reached over and grasped Geneva’s hand. “Hopefully, this won’t take long, and we can stick with our plans.”
“No problem. I mainly just wanted to spend time with you.”
She gave him a sweet smile. It was such a contrast to her sometimes combative, badass demeanor. Myles appreciated her many layers and couldn’t help but think about how lucky he was to have her in his life. Even throughout the last couple of hours, knowing he’d be spending time with her had loosened him up after leaving Supreme.
That was until he found Reuben at her house. The guy was like a nasty rash that refused to go away. Myles wouldn’t even be surprised if he had somehow been involved in the Molotov fiasco. It was clear Reuben was into Geneva. Maybe he thought by orchestrating the incident that she would be scared enough to run to him. It hadn’t gone unnoticed how he happened to show up immediately after the salon caught on fire.
Myles didn’t know for sure if he was involved, but Laz mentioned a couple of days ago that the trouble Geneva was having with the teens might be a gang initiation. Her shop was in Devil’s territory, so it was possible. If anyone would know, it would be Laz. As a former detective, he knew the streets of Atlanta better than most. His rationale for thinking the Devils were behind Geneva’s attack was that other neighboring businesses were experiencing break-ins, but none had endured any physical attacks. The gang might’ve initially targeted the strip mall since it was in the Devils’ territory. But the moment Geneva showed that she wasn’t afraid of them had probably ignited the chain of events that followed, starting with her car.
Myles hadn’t discussed any of his with her. Yet, after the run-in with Reuben tonight, he was more convinced than ever the incidents revolved around the man’s old crew.
“Does Whitney’s home alarm go off often?”
“No. That’s why I want to go and see what’s going on. Hopefully, it’s nothing. The other day, Wiz updated the system, so maybe there’s a glitch or something,” Myles said, hoping the problem was a simple electronic glitch. Yet, there was a part of him that feared it was something more. If he had time, he’d drop Geneva off at home before going, but he already knew she wouldn’t cooperate with that idea.
Myles had only shared the basics with her regarding Whitney’s death. All she knew was that the brakes were cut on Whitney’s car, and the cops were trying to piece together who killed her. Geneva hadn’t asked too many questions about the investigation, and Myles wanted to keep it that way.
“I always liked the Dunwoody area,” Geneva said as Myles drove through the Atlanta suburb.
“Yeah, we were planning ahead and picked it because of the good school district.”
“Then why are you putting the house on the market? Collin only has a couple of years before he starts school. It might be better for you to move in, then you won’t have to look for another place in the district.”
“I can’t. Too many memories. It’ll be better to start fresh, and…” Myles’s words trailed off when he saw two uniformed officers walking toward the back of Whitney’s house. Their weapons were holstered, but they each had their hand resting on their guns.
At first, he didn’t hear the alarm, but as he got closer and parked his BMW behind the squad car, he heard it. It was faint but still loud enough to cause a disturbance.
“Beautiful home,” Geneva said as they both peered out at the red brick colonial. “Should I stay in the car?”
From the front of the house, nothing seemed out of order. Myles hoped it was a false alarm, but he wouldn’t know for sure until he checked things out inside.
“No. I’m not comfortable with you staying out here.”
He wasn’t necessarily comfortable with her going inside either, especially not knowing what they’d find. At least with her by his side, he’d be able to keep an eye on her.
Myles reached across her and removed his gun from the glove compartment. He could feel Geneva’s eyes on him as he stuck the weapon in the back of his waistband. The weapon would be easily hidden under his leather jacket.
“Myles,” Geneva said slowly. “What’s going on? Why do you need a gun, especially with the cops here? What if they search you?”
“They won’t. They don’t have a reason to. They’re just here to respond to the alarm going off.”
She tsked. “Oh, please. They’ll stop and search a black man for any reason. I don’t think it’s a good idea to carry it.”
“Says the woman who had a 9mm stashed under her car seat,” he mumbled. He didn’t bother adding the part about her being a felon with a weapon. He was still ticked that Laz gave her a gun.
Instead of commenting on his last statement, Geneva said, “You didn’t answer my question about why you’re taking a gun inside. Is something going on that you’re not telling me? Why would you need—”
“Sweetheart, I doubt if I’ll need it. I just want to…”
The cops reappeared, one coming from each side of the house, and they glanced at them in the car.
“Come on. Let’s go,” Myles said, and they climbed out. “Is everything okay, officer?” he asked the cop
who was closest to him.
“Is this your place?”
“Yes, it is,” Myles said and took in their surroundings.
The house was on a quiet block, and no one was outside, but he was reasonably sure the next-door neighbors had heard the alarm, if they were home.
“The security company called me,” Myles told the policeman. “We got here as fast as we could. Was there a break-in?”
“Doesn’t appear to be. We just finished walking around the perimeter. We can stick around until you turn off the alarm and check inside.”
“Okay.” Myles assumed they wanted to see if he was telling the truth about owning the house.
Holding Geneva’s hand, he headed up the five concrete steps. The door appeared fine and was locked, but that was the case the other day. Yet, someone had gotten in. Even after changing the locks on both doors the day before, Myles couldn’t be sure that the person who had entered the other day hadn’t tried again.
Once they were inside, he disarmed the system and glanced around. Nothing appeared out of place, but the alarm was beeping every five seconds. That was new, but it was also a new system. Myles wasn’t sure what Wiz was doing or had done on his end after the alarm was tripped. He’d give him a call once the cops left.
He strolled down the hallway, past the kitchen, and to the back door. It was locked. Myles backtracked, looked around the main floor, then went upstairs. When he returned, the police officers and Geneva were standing near the front door.
“Must’ve been a false alarm,” he said.
The cops nodded. “Okay. If everything looks all right, we’ll head out,” the cop that Myles had spoken to outside said.
“Yes, everything appears fine. Thanks for stopping by.”
Myles walked them out while trying to ignore the unease swirling inside of him. Before he locked the door after them, he glanced up and down the street. There was no movement. Not even a car passing by, but his gut was still unsettled.
The alarm didn’t have a glitch. Whoever had gotten in before had tried again, but why? Why come back when Whitney was gone…when they had already killed her? Was there something in the house that they were looking for? If so, what?
Myles eased back into the house and locked the door. When he turned around, Geneva was standing in front of him with her hands on her hips. “You care to tell me what the hell is going on? I can feel the tension coming off of you in waves. Something is happening or has happened, and I want to know what,” she snapped.
He definitely wasn’t dating an ordinary woman. Most days, he loved her fierceness and how direct she was. Today wasn’t that day. Myles wasn’t sure how much to share, but whatever he decided to tell her, it needed to be somewhere in a part of the house that didn’t have ears.
He stretched his hand to her. “Come with me.”
Once they were in the back hallway, near the alarm’s control panel, Myles pulled her into his arms and held her close. Surprisingly, Geneva didn’t fight him. Her arms went around his waist, bringing them chest to chest.
God, she felt good. She snuggled against him, and her sweet-smelling perfume floated to his nose, causing him to lose focus on why he’d brought her back there in the first place. He was the epitome of focus, except when she was around.
Myles couldn’t explain it. He couldn’t figure out why his response to her was different than with any other woman. Not that he was complaining. He could honestly say he had never been with anyone who made him feel so…so complete.
He lowered his head and moved his mouth over hers, consuming its softness. A shock wave of need pumped through his body as he explored the interior recesses of her luscious mouth. Myles wanted to tell her about the listening devices, but the intimacy of the kiss had his senses reeling. Yet, if he didn’t slow down, he wouldn’t be able to stop at just a kiss. And now wasn’t the best time to explore the rest of her magnificent body.
He reluctantly pulled his mouth from hers, needing to get himself back under control, but he found he wasn’t ready to release her. He moved his lips over her jaw, peppering kisses down her wonderfully scented neck, and worked his way back up. When he reached the erogenous spot behind her ear, he lingered.
He nipped and kissed her soft skin before whispering, “The house is bugged.”
Chapter Seventeen
“Bugged?” Geneva whisper-yelled, her eyes wide with shock. “Then un-bug it or whatever the hell you security specialists do. Wait. Why is the house—”
Myles covered her mouth with his hand and backed her to the wall. They didn’t find any devices near the back door, but he still wanted them to be careful.
Geneva narrowed her eyes at him and jabbed him in the ribs, forcing him to drop his hand from her mouth. Myles laughed, unable to help himself. That was something else he appreciated about her. She made him laugh. By nature, he was usually serious, rarely smiling much. Yet, Geneva could make him laugh or smile over the simplest things she said or did. She definitely brought out a lighter side of him. A side that he was starting to like himself.
When she started to speak, Myles put his finger to his lips, hoping she’d get the message to be quiet. He assumed she was about to ask questions, but he didn’t have time to go into details of why they wanted to keep the devices in place for a little longer. Instead, he pulled her back into his arms.
“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you later. Just try to act normal,” he said, then chuckled at that thought. “Or as normal as you can.”
“You’re not funny,” she said, sounding offended, but her lips twitched as if trying to keep from smiling.
“Let’s keep the conversation as general as possible while we’re here, especially in the living room and kitchen,” Myles said seriously. “I’m going to walk through the house one more time; then I need to call Wiz. It shouldn’t take long. Once I’m done, we’ll head out. In the meantime, make yourself at home.”
A few minutes later, Myles was standing in front of the alarm system’s control panel. It was three times as big as a typical system Supreme Security would install into homes. With the number of buttons and sounds it made, it looked as if it should control a spaceship instead of protecting a house.
Wiz, who worked out of the Chicago office, had invented and designed a number of security products over the years. Some were patented. This device was currently being beta-tested, but Wiz had ordered its installation the day before, saying that Whitney’s home would be the perfect opportunity to test it out.
The guy was a genius, and Myles trusted his judgment a hundred percent.
“Okay, push the input button and the green button at the same time and hold it for twenty seconds,” Wiz instructed.
When Myles realized he would need both hands for some functions, he pocketed his phone and started talking through his smart watch.
“Okay, you can release the buttons. I’m using the equipment as a conduit to help triangulate the signal in order to…”
Myles half-listened to the why and waited for instructions on what Wiz wanted him to do next. All the while, he wondered what Geneva was up to.
A short while ago, he’d heard the television in the living room blaring. Clearly, she was watching something funny. Her hearty laughter could be heard throughout the house, and that warmed him. He loved having her around. Even in the short time that they’d been together, the differences in them could easily be identified.
Geneva was complex. One minute she could be ready to beat someone down, and the next, she might be comforting them. While her personality was fun and easygoing, Myles was more serious and controlled. He was focused and all about getting things done, whereas Geneva could accomplish a task in a timely manner, but she was going to have a good time in the process.
Thinking about their individual traits, Myles thought about how Whitney often called him out on being too rigid and inflexible. But like his and Geneva’s relationship, he and Whitney balanced each other. They clicked.
“Now the red and ora
nge lights should be lit up. Are they?” Wiz asked, cutting into Myles’s thoughts.
“Yeah, they are, and the green one is no longer blinking.”
“Okay…okay, that’s good. This actually might work; an alarm system that may also be able to help with long-distance sound vibrations,” Wiz said, sounding as if he was talking to himself.
The excitement in his voice matched what Myles imagined most tech geniuses experienced when they were designing or testing inventions.
“Man, I’m sorry this is taking a little longer than I initially thought it would. Now…I need to see if I can reverse the radio frequency…” he mumbled, sounding as if he was thinking out loud.
Myles let him talk. Wiz’s goal was to create some type of long-distance conduit or…something or another that could help pick up the signal for the listening devices.
Myles couldn’t make heads or tails of his idea, and he definitely didn’t have a clue to what the technical terms meant. Even still, he wanted to do whatever possible to help. If Wiz could come up with a way to get him an address or even the name of the person who might still be listening in, Myles was all for it.
He wanted more than anything to find this person and make them pay. But Myles would be the first to admit that trying to hunt down an unknown killer while juggling the rest of his life was no easy feat. Everything seemed important at the moment. Yet, the sooner they found this person, the sooner he could figure out the next steps in his and Collin’s life.
Geneva strolled into the back hallway while glancing down at her phone. When she looked up and met his eyes, a smile kicked up the corners of her ruby-red lips.
What a beautiful distraction.
Damn. He had it bad.
“Hey, you,” she whispered and moved closer. “Where are your keys? I left something in your car.”
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