Deadly Promises (Tracers #2.5)(33)

Jeremy would top that list of bad decisions in her family’s view.

“I’ll be in touch.” He hung up and tossed the phone into his cup holder. He unhooked the Bluetooth. At least tonight he could burn off his stored-up energy in the gym.

Blade had a couple guys with remodeling experience who needed some work so Jeremy figured the weight room and aerobic area could stand a new look.

He’d instructed Tim, his evening manager, to close the gym early so Jeremy could survey it without having to talk to everyone. He enjoyed his customers, but his heart wasn’t up for making happy talk.

Or for seeing the gym without CeCe stretching and smiling.

Jeremy parked in the lot and frowned. Blade’s Corvette was the only car out there. Where was his manager’s car?

When Jeremy pushed his car door open his shoulder ached, but not so severely today. He stretched that arm on his way into the gym.

Blade opened the glass door and broke out a high-powered smile. “Heard you were coming in tonight.”

“Where’s Tim?” Jeremy stepped inside. Instead of the ghostly quiet he’d expected, soft rock music spilled from the overhead speakers. But the gym always seemed abandoned when it was empty like this.

Would forever be empty without CeCe.

“Tim had a hot date, so me being the incredibly generous person that I am—”

“And humble,” Jeremy added, finding his first smile in a while.

“That too.” Blade nodded. “I offered to keep an eye on the place until you showed up.”

Jeremy walked over and leaned his good arm against the check-in counter. Blade always had an angle. He probably expected Jeremy to do a quick scope of the area to be remodeled then pick up the tab for some cold brews so they could chase skirts.

He owed Blade that, and more. Blade had come through when he needed someone. He’d tapped contacts who were known felons and put his freedom at risk to get the information Jeremy had needed to save CeCe.

He’d been a true friend.

“Thanks for letting Tim go early.” Jeremy glanced in the direction of the aerobic room. “We’ll do a walk-through for your guys then get some beers.” He’d go with Blade, but the idea of taking anyone home after having had CeCe in his bed just didn’t seem right. Didn’t excite him in the least.

“No can do.” Blade fished his keys from his pocket. “Gotta roll. I’ll take a rain check on those beers.”

“You’re kidding. So what are you doing here?”

“Dropped off CeCe’s fiberglass base. Didn’t know what you wanted to do with it.”

Jeremy’s breath caught at hearing her name. He’d have to get used to it since she’d been well liked in the gym and he was bound to hear someone ask about her not being around.

“Guess she’s gone for good,” Jeremy muttered.

“Mm-hmm.” Blade shrugged with understanding. That was as close as they ever came to discussing something personal. “I stuck the base in your aerobic room. Figure you wouldn’t forget it that way since I understand you got another problem in there.”

Standing away from the counter, Jeremy hooked his thumbs in the pockets of his jeans. “What problem?”

Blade held up his hands. “Forget I said anything.” He looked at his watch and grinned. “Got to run. Call me tomorrow.”

When Blade reached for the door, Jeremy said, “By the way, thanks for everything you did.”

Blade flashed that wicked smile of his. “Oh, I plan to collect big time… soon as you can hang with me again.”

Some things never changed. Jeremy waved him off and locked the door as Blade fired up his land rocket.

He turned toward the aerobic room. Locating Vinny’s address wouldn’t take long. The urge to deliver the base personally for a chance to see CeCe again chewed at Jeremy, but he wouldn’t do that.

Besides, Vinny had her tucked away somewhere safe by now.

Jeremy strode across the gym. Once he had an address for DeMitri he’d ship the base. Even if Vinny and his squad of brothers would stand aside for Jeremy to visit CeCe again, he doubted she’d even answer her door to him.

She wouldn’t want to speak to him again after all that had gone down.

As he neared the aerobic room he heard a noise and went on alert.

Jeremy approached the room cautiously, wondering why the lights around the base of the room were still on. One of his yoga instructors liked to use them instead of overhead lights for a softer mood.

When he stepped through the door, he was sure his heart skipped a beat.

CeCe lay on a blue foam mat in front of the wall of mirrors, stretching her amazing body with liquid movements. She hummed quietly along with the music playing.

The fiberglass base Blade had repaired sat in the corner.

She looked into the mirror and met his gaze, then stopped moving. “Hi.”

Her shy greeting kicked his heart into beating again.

“Hi.” Jeremy moved slowly toward her, not wanting her to vanish if she was only a figment of his imagination.

She sat up, still staring into the mirror, their reflected gazes locked in a timeless moment.

When he stood behind her, looking down, Jeremy waited for a painful breath to flow out of his lungs so he could speak. “Good to see you.”

“You too. How’s your shoulder?” Her words came out fragile, as if they might break if she spoke too loud.