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“Anything else I can get you?”
“No, we’re good,” Rip said. He picked up half of his sandwich and ate it in a few bites. The roast beef wasn’t bad.
“That’s the last time I’m wearing a cheap wig. I’m sure it stood out like the Halloween prop that it was.” Lela crunched on a couple of potato chips, then stared at him. “So tell me, what were you doing there? Didn’t I make it clear that you shouldn’t get involved?”
“I recall you saying something along those lines.” Rip smiled at her. “I’m a protector by nature. I followed you to make sure you were okay.”
“I can tell that you’re stubborn.”
Rip picked up the second half of his sandwich. “And I can tell that you know self-defense. What you did to that gangster was impressive. How did you learn to fight like that?”
“Practice.”
“And I assume that had something to do with how you escaped at the train station?”
Lela grinned.
“I suppose I’d better not get on your bad side,” Rip said, then nodded at her plate. “Aren’t you going to eat?”
“Some of us don’t have voracious appetites.”
“Suit yourself, but I’m not in the habit of leaving food. If you can’t finish, shove your plate over here.”
Lela picked up one half of her sandwich, then pushed her plate across the table. “Where are you taking me?” she said.
“I have some buddies in San Leon. One guy has a cottage on the bay that he rents out, and it’s vacant right now. So he’ll let us use it for as long as we need to.”
Lela sighed. “I feel safer this far away from the city. I kept looking back, but nobody followed us.”
“Yep, putting distance between you and your enemies is a smart move.” Rip looked into her deep brown eyes, and was affected more than he cared to admit. She did something to him.
“And I feel safer with you.” Lela looked vulnerable, making Rip want to wrap her in his arms and assure her that he’d take care of her. “So this is your last chance,” she said. “If you want to bail, leave me here and I’ll figure something out.”
Rip tossed some cash on top of the bill for the food, then stood up. “I’m your bodyguard, so I’m not going anywhere.” He reached for her hand. “Let’s go.”
His friend’s place wasn’t far from the café. When Rip pulled into the driveway, he asked Lela to wait. “I just need to let him know we’re here and get the key. I’d introduce you, but it’s better if he doesn’t see you…for your safety, and his too.” He touched her cheek. “Pictures of your beautiful face are plastered all over the city. I don’t want him recognizing you. It would put him in a tight spot.”
“He’d turn me in?”
“Not a chance; he’s a good friend. But the less he knows, the better.”
“Why does he think you’re here?”
“I just told him I needed a safe place to hide a client for a while. He knows about my bodyguard gig.”
“And the motorcycle?”
“He had a friend leave it at the lot for me. I just have to return it in good condition.”
Rip walked up the cracked sidewalk to the front porch of the clapboard house. It looked like any home along the bay, a two-story that had seen better days.
The door opened, and his friend stepped onto the porch. Nicholas had short-cropped dark hair, with a receding hairline revealing his age. He wore faded jeans and a white t-shirt, straining against a bit of a belly. “Rip, my man. It’s been a few years.”
“Nic…good to see you.” Rip gave his buddy’s shoulder a pat.
“Any problem picking up the bike?”
“Nope…it was right where you said.” Rip crossed his arms, then nodded toward the driveway. Lela was in front of the garage, out of sight. “I’d introduce you, but it’s better if I don’t.”
