Page 10 of Only the Hunter

She reaches out and lightly touches my arm. “Neither are you. You look good. Healthy. I’m glad you’re no longer in the military.”

The contact lasts maybe two seconds. A slight pressure that cuts through the fabric. I keep my eyes on the road.

“Yeah?”

“I worry about you.” She shrugs like it’s no big deal. “I keep up with you, too. I thought I recognized your car but figured it couldn’t be you. And yet, here you are.”

“Here I am.”

“What company did you say you’re with?”

“It’s a small outfit.”

“Called?” There’s a shift in her tone. There’s no way to blow this off without piquing her curiosity.

“KOAN. Spelled⁠—”

“Holy shit. Did Dad hire them? Are you working for my father?”

How she went from point a to b so fast… “No.”

Her eyes narrow. “I don’t need protection, Gabe.”

“Good to hear. I’m here providing protective detail for a crisis communications executive.”

“Alicia Morgan?”

I side-eye her. “You know her?”

“No.” She flicks a nail between her teeth. “But I read about her recently.”

I’m sure she did. After an attempt on her life and getting wrapped up in a murder investigation, there are some salacious articles out there. “I do daytime detail.”

“Huh. What brings you out here so late?” She checks her watch. “I’d say we should get coffee, but…wow, it’s late.”

I’d like to point out that she often works this late, but I don’t wanna give up my cards, so instead I say, “We should do dinner.”

Her townhouse is up ahead, so it’s a timely segue.

“Yeah. Let’s.”

I pull up at the curb in front of her townhouse, gray brick with a blue door, sandwiched between two townhomes, one with black painted brick and the other a bright terracotta. Evie’s is the adorable one, with two potted shrubs on each side of the front door.

Her hand stills on the door handle as those wide eyes take me in. “And why did you say you’re out so late?”

She’s suspicious. Of the Thompson siblings, she’s the brightest. Could run circles around Scott. Hands down one of the most intelligent people I’ve known. “Worked late today. Ms. Morgan had a thing.”

“Oh.” She nods slowly and pulls the handle. “It’s good seeing you.” Her nose slightly crinkles, her version of emphasis.

Some things don’t change.

“Dinner?” I repeat my question. “You got time for an old friend?”

“My brother’s old friend, you mean?”

“Ow.” I slam my palm against my chest. “That hurts.”

Her smile widens. “Yes. I’ve got time. Maybe Saturday?”