ENFORCER, page 16
I laugh hard, leaning back against him. “Okay, yeah, let’s do it.”
“Right now?” He grins, and I swat him away.
“No, of course not,” I say, looking around and hoping that no one heard.
“Aw, why not?” he asks, his eyes dangerous.
“Because I’m busy helping the people I’ve wronged.”
“We’re in a homeless shelter,” he says, raising an eyebrow.
“Keen observation skills, Mr. Griffin.”
“I don’t understand what you’re doing here, let alone why it’s your fault,” he says, his brows drawing closer in confusion.
“I’m giving back to the community. These boxes are full of essentials: It’s mostly canned food, but I’ve got some clothing, too. The idea is to help the people who lost everything in the fire at your apartment complex.”
“It’s very thoughtful of you,” Jake says, a crooked grin crossing his face.
“Well, it’s the least I can do, considering whose fault it is.”
“It’s not your fault. I took you away from the hotel and brought you there,” Jake points out.
“I know, and I don’t think it’s your fault either. It was Michael and his brother’s fault.”
“Exactly,” he affirms, squeezing my shoulder. “So don’t beat yourself up about it.”
“I’m trying not to. Doing this makes me feel better, though,” I admit, looking around the room.
“Well, it got a lot of turnouts,” he says, looking around the room.
“It did, thank God. I was afraid I would have to buy up all the shelves in Walmart myself,” I laugh.
“I wouldn’t let you do that,” Jake says, turning me to face him and sliding his hands down to my bottom. “I recognize most of the faces here.”
“Jake,” I say, lifting his hands and placing them at my sides. “I have a reputation to uphold. Who do you know here?”
“I know everyone here.”
“Even the homeless?” I ask.
“Uhuh, oh, and except for him.” Jake points to a man in a fitted, white button-down shirt.
“Oh yes, that would be our new mayor,” I say, turning to Jake.
“He’s the new mayor?” Jake asks.
“Yep.”
“I didn’t realize we had an election.” Jake bites his lower lip, making me want a taste too.
“It was all very last minute, especially with everything that happened, but he had my vote either way.”
“Hmm.”
“What is it?” I ask.
“Nothing. I mean, do you think it’ll be a problem for me?” he wonders.
“I don’t think it’ll be a problem for anyone, so long as they follow the law,” I say.
He narrows his eyes at me, and I resist a smile. “I thought we agreed that wasn’t something we were going to talk about.”
“I can’t help it. Holly’s right. I have a thing for a bad boy.”
“That’s a good man?” he asks.
“Exactly.”
Samson
* * *
“One hundred and sixty boxes.” I drop another large case of canned chicken noodle soup.
“Hell of a turnout,” the man beside me remarks.
“Damn right,” I say, turning and smiling. “Hey there. I’m Samson Roberts.” I reach over and shake the hard hand of the man beside me.
“Aaron Rodgers,” he nods, his calculating eyes assessing me in a way that indicates he doesn’t trust people easily.
“What brings you out here today?” I ask, a little uneasy.
“To please, God,” he shrugs, turning away from me and looking around the room.
“Really?” I ask in disbelief. “You don’t strike me as the religious type.
“In my world, God answers by the name of Chief Kenton Traverse.”
“Is that right?” I smirk, enjoying his attitude.
“Maybe,” he gives me a cocky grin. “The chief of police needed volunteers to help supervise though. It seems he and Diana are close.”
I frown at the use of her first name. “Are the two of you close?” I look at the elegant blonde.
“Not particularly.” He slides his hands in his pockets and walks away. “We spent a night together.”
“What the hell does that mean? Hold up a sec,” I say, jogging over to him and standing in front of him. “Are you telling me that you used to date Diana Marshall?”
“No,” he raises his eyebrows and steps around me, amusement flickering in his almond shaped eyes.
“Well, then what do you mean spent a night together? You didn’t hook up with her, did you?” I raise my eyebrows in shock.
“If I had, what’s it to you?” He squares his shoulders at me, challenging me, and something tells me that he would be a ruthless opponent.
“Nothing. It’s just hard to believe,” I say, folding my arms, cocking my head, reassessing the man in front of me.
“I guarded her room at the hospital,” he says, stepping back as a homeless man squeezes through for his sack lunch. “We never slept together,” Aaron admits.
“I see what you did there,” I laugh, pointing a finger at him as he holds his hands up in peace.
“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about,” he says, taking a step back and walking into two young women; the box of canned goods they were carrying clang to the ground with an ear-aching echo.
“Goddamnit,” one of the blondes says, jumping up and down and holding her foot. “Seriously, how klutzy are you?”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” he stutters, bending down and picking up miscellaneous cans from the floor, assisted by the little church girl with the soft blue headband.
“Here, let me help you,” I say, to the one hopping up and down, noticing her sandaled feet, one slowly turning purple.
“No, I’m fine, you’ve done enough damage,” she says, wincing in pain.
“Hey, he walked into you, not me. Besides it could be broken,” I say, scooping her into my arms and carrying her over to the table.
“Good God,” she breathes, her eyes wide as she gazes up at me.
“Samson.”
She laughs. “Holly.”
“Nice to meet you, Holly.” I lower her to the table. “Can I look at your foot?”
“Yeah, that’s fine,” she replies as I reach forward and slide off her sandal. Her foot is now the same shade of purple as her toenails.
“Looks like it hurts.”
“It does. God, I hope it’s not broken. My mom’s gonna freak out.”
“Why is that? Are you a gymnast or something?”
“No,” she laughs. “My mom is just hyper-protective of me, and if she thinks something’s wrong, she’ll be all over me.”
“You’re lucky to have a mother who cares so much.”
“Yeah, that’s what she says, too.” Holly stretches her toes and winces. “Maybe it’s not broken. Maybe it’s just badly bruised.”
“Maybe. Can you move it?” I ask.
She flexes her foot and gasps in pain.
“I really think you should go to a doctor. Who’s your mom again?” I look around the room.
“She’s over there. The crazy lady who started this whole thing.”
“Is that so?” I laugh, glancing over my shoulder at a large man in a leather jacket with a possessive grip on Diana Marshall. “Oh, you’re Diana’s kid.”
“That’s what she tells me.” Her eyes flash at me, a quick smile illuminating her lovely face.
“You know, you look just like her. Except for your eyes.”
“Yeah, mine are blue,” she nods.
“Yeah,” I look back down to her foot. “Well, I think I should go get your mom.”
“No, wait. Let’s sit here in the silence for a little bit longer. Before the hysteria ensues.”
“What?” I laugh. “I don’t know if that would be very responsible of me.”
“Well, if it helps, I’m not actually a kid. I’m legally an adult now. So you’re not required to notify her of anything.”
“You’re eighteen?”
“Nineteen, actually. Or at least, I will be this year.”
“Oh.” I avert my gaze again, a little uncomfortable with the way she is watching me.
“How about you?” she asks.
“Twenty-nine,” I say, glancing back to her face, not wanting to be rude.
“Aren’t you a little young to be a mayor?” she asks, her large blue eyes, searching my face in a way that makes me self-conscious.
“No, I don’t think so. I worked pretty hard to be where I am. Someday I’ll be governor,” I grin.
“Yeah, my stepdad used to say the same thing.”
“The difference is that I’m not an abusive asshat.” I shrug, remembering the news reports of one Michael Marshall.
Her mouth drops open.
“I’m sorry, does that offend you?” I ask.
“No, not at all, it’s the truth. It’s just not something I was expecting to hear from someone like you,” she says, pleasure coloring her cheeks.
“Someone like me?” I watch as her eyes flick down at my lips.
“You know, someone so polished. Put together. Goody-goody,” she coos, and I roll my eyes.
“You’re calling me ‘goody-goody?’” I slide my hands into my pockets, letting her foot fall back down.
“Well, aren’t you?” she urges.
“I’m not entirely clear where this conversation is going.” I glance over my shoulder, wondering how her Mom will react to her daughter flirting with me in such a shameless manner.
“Why is that? Because I’m onto you?” She grins.
“No, because you’re a little young for me,” I say, my lips twitching into a half-smile. Who’s onto who now?
“You think I’m hitting on you?” she asks, lifting an elegant brow. It reminds me once again of her mother.
“Aren’t you?” I challenge, curving my mouth into a cocky smirk.
It throws her off for a moment. “Well, if I wasn’t, I’m certainly considering it now,” she admits.
I laugh. “Yeah, okay. You stay here. I’ll get your mother.” I turn away, but she grasps my forearm. Looking down, I see her long fingers holding me firm. “Yes?” I lift a brow.
“Nothing. I just wanted to talk to you and see the rest of your tattoo.”
My heart pounds harder in my chest. “Is that right?” My voice sounds distant as all the blood rushes to different parts of my body.
“Yeah, it is.”
“You can’t see it all, it goes all the way up to my shoulder,” I explain, the skin beneath her hands heating.
“Take it off then,” she purrs.
“Take what off?” I ask, swallowing hard.
“Everything.
“Holly,” I say, pulling my arm from her grasp. “You are absolutely stunning,” I say, taking in the delicate heart shaped face, the soft lips, and the round blue eyes.
The silence between us feels almost tangible.
“I feel like there’s supposed to be a ‘but’ after that sentence,” she says carefully.
I swallow hard.
“But... I don’t think this is wise.”
“What isn’t?” she asks, rising and placing all her weight on her good foot. She stands an inch away from me, her eyes nearly level with mine.
“This. Whatever this is between us right now,” I stammer as she moves closer, our bodies almost touching.
“Holly!” her mother calls as Holly stumbles back like shrapnel exploding through the air. She falls onto the table and knocks over more boxes.
“Oh, Christ,” I say, reaching forward to catch her and help her back onto her feet. I feel her body pressed against mine as she stares into my eyes one last time.
“Holly, are you okay?” Diana rushes over.
“Yeah, Mom, I’m fine. I just hurt my foot.” The words fall flat as she pulls her eyes away from mine and faces her mother.
“Oh, Samson, thank you so much for catching her like that. Holly’s always been a little clumsy,” Diana exclaims.
“I have not,” Holly argues as I release her. She stumbles, and I grab her again, holding her upright.
“I was in the process of coming to get you,” I say. “A box of cans fell on her foot and it looks like it might be broken.”
“Oh my gosh, Holly, are you okay?” her mother asks, looking down at her foot, gasping at the purple and blue hues.
“Gee, thanks,” Holly says, turning to face me. I shrug.
“Oh my gosh, I’m gonna be sick,” Diana says, she covers her mouth as Sam walks over. “I’m sorry, I have never done well with her injuries.
“It’s true,” Holly says. “Once, when I was twelve, I cut my hand slicing an apple and she fainted. Literally fainted. We both needed stitches that day,”
“What did you crack your head on a cabinet?” I ask Diana.
“The corner of the table,” Holly says.
“Right,” I say, frowning down at the women and wondering if I should drive them to the hospital myself.
“God, I didn’t know it was that bad,” Sam gushes. “We really should get you out of here.”
“No, I’m fine, I just need to sit here a little longer with my knight in shining armor and rest up for a bit.
Diana gives me a quizzical look as I close my eyes, embarrassment coloring my cheeks.
“Aw, look how cute he is when he’s on the spot,” Holly says, and my eyes open wide in disbelief. “But, no, guys, seriously, I’m fine. Jake, no!” She holds out her hand in protest as Jake walks over, tosses her over his shoulder, and carries her towards the door. “This is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to me, Mom,” Holly growls, her eyes fierce.
I can’t help but laugh.
“Sorry, sweetie. It’s for the best.” Diana calls.
“So?” Holly protests, squirming to face me.
“That’s my daughter. She’s kind of a handful,” Diana says, her face apologetic.
“That’s fine,” I laugh, trying not to think about the young woman. “She’s… spirited.” I search for the words.
“Oh, she is that. Nineteen and thinks she knows everything there is about the world. Oh, to be young and naive again,” Diana says, patting me on the shoulder. “I guess I’ll see you around, Samson. I gotta go to the emergency room now.”
“Yeah, I’ll take care of everything here. It’s a good opportunity for me to get into the community.”
“Excellent. Thank you so much!”
“Not a problem. Go look after your kid.”
“Hmm. I will, thank you so much,” she repeats, throwing her Coach bag over her shoulder and jogging out the door where Holly and Jake have disappeared.
“Well, isn’t that interesting? Everything okay?” Aaron asks, planting himself beside me.
“Yeah, she’s hurt but I think everything was taken care of,” I say, watching the door swing shut behind Diana.
“Good. Now tell me, how does a young guy like you become mayor?”
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Also by KELLI CALLAHAN
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Callahan, Kelli, ENFORCER
