Page 182 of Tempting Evil (Riley Jenson Guardian 3)
Cam looked over at Dylan. He could tell that his brother had blood in his eye for the fucker, as did he. Even though they’d never met the head of the Mitrofanov clan, Niklaus was most certainly the one who was behind Erica’s abduction.
“We’re not going to let
the bastard get away with this, are we?” Cam asked, his frustration boiling over.
“We’ll get him,” Jason said. “I’ll see to that. Alexei is working his contacts. Something will bubble up that we can use against the son of a bitch. On that note, I’m gone. I’ll talk with you guys later.”
After the sheriff left, Cam waved over Desirae, the only staff in the place. She’d moved here a while back, becoming Aunt Alice’s right hand at the diner. The blonde beauty was quiet, never talking much about her past. There were plenty of Doms who would love to put a collar around her neck, but she’d only been to Phase Four a few times.
“What can I get you, Cam?” Desirae asked.
“Double meat cheeseburger, please. Onion rings. And a chocolate milk shake.”
“Same old Cam,” Dylan said. “You’ve got a stomach that is ironclad.”
“So do you, Dylan Strange,” Desirae teased. “I just took away your plate. New York Strip. Rare. Baked potato. Loaded. Mac and cheese. Texas toast. And now you’re waiting on your banana cream pie after the new pot of coffee finishes brewing.”
“Thanks for ratting me out,” Dylan said from behind his shades. “I’ll remember that when I decide what to leave as a tip, Desirae.”
“I see. The tip goes into the jar for the waitresses. I’m on salary. Don’t punish them because I speak my mind.”
“I wouldn’t dream of punishing them,” he said. “You? Well, that might be a different story.”
Why the hell was Dylan flirting with Desirae? Cam knew his brother was into Erica. More than “into.” He was completely gone on her.
“Cam, try to make him behave, will you?” Desirae didn’t wait for an answer.
As she trotted off, Cam stared at his brother. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Not a fucking thing,” Dylan answered. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Don’t give me that crap. I know you. You’re running again, aren’t you?”
“If you’re implying I’m running from something, you need to be more specific. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Cam shook his head. His brother could be so frustrating. “You left the gun range this morning. Why?”
“I told you and Erica why. She was crowded by both of us. Did she fire the gun after I left or not?”
“She did, but that’s not the point.” Cam looked at his brother’s mirrored shades and saw his own reflection staring back at him. “What is going on, Dylan? Tell me.”
Dylan didn’t answer. Desirae returned with a pot of coffee and a chocolate milk shake. “Your food will be ready shortly. Dylan, I’m sorry. I thought we still had banana cream pie, but we’re all out. I just checked. We have apple, chocolate, and peach pie. We also have German chocolate cake and carrot cake. Would any of those do?”
“Just the coffee now, Desirae. I lost my taste for something sweet.” Dylan’s tone was deep and dark.
Desirae seemed to notice it, too, as she scurried off right after filling Dylan’s cup.
“Speak your mind, Cam. Don’t hold back.”
“I will. Tell me the truth about why you left this morning.”
“I told you.”
“Bullshit. Don’t pull your CIA crap with me, bro. I know you. I’ve known you my whole life. Erica sensed something different in you when you left, too. It wasn’t just me. So cut the crap and come clean.”
Dylan took a sip of his coffee, clearly ignoring the request.
“Fine. You don’t want to tell me. Then let me tell you what I think.” Cam leaned forward. “You’re fucking scared. For the first time in Dylan Michael Strange’s life he is feeling something, and that scares the hell out of him. Am I getting warm?”
