Chương 2: Chapter 2
* * * *
“We need to find another place to meet,” Brax said as he appeared in Caleb Pence’s office. “We’ve used the excuse that your security system had a glitch one too many times. I think Judd’s beginning to wonder what’s going on.”
“That’s understandable. What you set up here is better than most banks’, including the counter-surveillance equipment. If it wasn’t, we wouldn’t bemeeting here, and you know it. Still, you have a point. Maybe it’s time to consider your place, if you’d break down and install cameras and motion sensors.” Caleb shot Brax a sour look, getting a rather contrite smile in return. “Or mine, now that my divorce is final. If you can fit me into your schedule on Monday, I’ll hire you to set up security at my house and install a safe, since she’s not living there anymore.”
“I can. Why the hell you married a human to begin with?” Brax shook his head as he always did when Caleb mentioned his ex.
“Love. It’ll screw a guy up every time. Love got me into it. Her jealousy, when she began looking older than me, ended it.”
“At least you had sense enough not to tell her why.”
Caleb nodded. “It was never an option as far as I was concerned. Any more than it would be one for you, if you found someone. We don’t do that if we want to survive.”
“Speaking of surviving, someone was taking potshots at me last night.”
“How so? And where?” Caleb’s expression darkened with worry.
“I was out running. From what I overheard, they were told that there was a black wolf in the area and one of them had his heart set on hanging its, well, my head on his trophy wall.”
“I presume, since you’re here, they missed.”
“Nope. But they didn’t do any permanent damage.”
Caleb frowned. “You’re sure they were just hunters?”
“Sounded like, and they were human.” Brax shrugged. “Anyway, back to why I’m here.”
“To fix the security system?” Caleb chuckled when Brax raised his middle finger, and then went to his safe, returning with a folder that he handed to Brax. “A client wants you to pick this up for him.”
Brax studied the photo it contained before reading the information. “Nice piece. Not so nice location.”
“If it was easy, any common thief could get his hands on it.”
“Glad to know I’m not common.” Brax smirked. “Okay, let the client know it could take a week. If he doesn’t like it, he can go elsewhere.”
“He’ll deal.”
* * * *
“Tell me you finally figured out what’s wrong with Pence’s system,” Judd said when Brax returned to the office.
“I did. It’s fixed so he can’t mess it up again. I swear the man has no common sense when it comes to technical stuff. Something good came of it, though. He’s decided he wants the same sort of security on his house. I’ll be installing it Monday.”
“So he can fuck it up, too?” Judd rolled his eyes.
Brax laughed. “Let’s hope not.”
Judd took a deep breath and said, “I owe you an apology for bitching at you earlier.”
“No problem. I deserved it.”
Judd grinned. “True. At least tell me he was worth it.”
Laughing, Brax replied, “Enough that I didn’t want to leave his nice, warm bed.” I wish that was the truth. I wish I had someone whose bed I didn’twant to leave.
It had been a long time since that had happened. Two years and counting, by Brax’s estimation. Down and dirty sex? Yes. Even thinking about some sort of commitment? The last time he’d met a man he thought he could care about, the relationship had lasted two months before the guy decided Brax wasn’t what he’d been looking for after all. He’d walked away, leaving Brax questioning what had gone wrong this time.
When it came down to it, he had known. It was hard to have a relationship when he had so many secrets he was unwilling to reveal—starting with what he was, and what he did for Caleb. One too many excuses for why he couldn’t see his lover on a particular day or evening, with no explanation other than, “I spent the night following a client’s husband,” or “I was on a stakeout,” followed by, “You know I can’t talk about it. Client confidentiality,” didn’t sit well. Once too often and a lover began to wonder if Brax was two-timing them. Inevitably, they moved on, leaving Brax behind.
“Tomorrow’s Saturday. If you’re not planning on warming a bed—” Judd winked “—Jenna said you should come by for dinner. She’s making her world-famous pot roast.”
“I have no plans, so tell her I’d love to.”
“Bring your friend, if you want. The more the merrier.”
Brax harrumphed, lying through his teeth. “My friendwas just a one-night stand, I’m afraid. Nice guy but…” He waggled his hand.
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