Moth(29)

He nods and places his hand in his pocket. Windy latches both arms around one of mine. “Are you ready to head out? I know you said we had that thing to do later.”

I could say something obnoxious, but I refrain. I’ll wait until we’re in the car to egg her on again. For now I’ve made my presence known.

“Yeah, babe. We can head out.” It’s difficult to contain my amusement as we play against each other’s words. Once we’re outside she releases her hold and separates us. We stand on either side of her car to speak. “Did I do good?”

“As well as can be expected. You didn’t have to break bones.”

“I didn’t.”

She laughing as she climbs into the driver’s seat. “You could’ve fooled me. Did you see Seth’s face. He looked like he was about to cry.”

“He’s a scumbag. The whole time you were talking he was f*cking every part of you with his eyes.”

“Like you do?” She questions.

“No. You’ve got it all wrong. It shows what little you know about me. If I want to f*ck, I won’t have to do it with my imagination.”





Chapter 10


Fake Windy is sitting at a red light about to turn in the direction of my brother’s old place. She’s quiet, and for the life of me I can’t stop myself from suggesting another idea. “We don’t have to call it a night.”

She snickers while turning in my direction. “Let me guess, you invite me inside and show me how talented you are?”

I smirk. I’m ornery like that. “As much as I think that would be an unforgettable time, that’s not what I’m thinking at all. I was hoping you were hungry. Those little finger foods were a tease for someone like me. I need protein. Let’s go somewhere with steaks and wine and get to know each other.”

“Steaks and wine? I don’t eat meat.”

I’m not sure she’s being honest. “Seriously? A woman always needs a big fat…”

“Okay, okay. I get it. I put my foot in my mouth on that one.”

“You could get a salad,” I suggest.

She gives me a sour glance. “This is a bad idea.”

“Why? Are you afraid getting to know me could be hazardous to your health?”

I watch her white teeth come into view as she cackles from my pestering. “I’m not afraid of anything you have to offer, Moth. You’d be surprised how resilient I can be. It’s just, well right now I feel like I’m living someone else’s life. Things are screwed up, and I’d rather not involve someone in my mistakes.”

That is the most loaded answer I’ve ever gotten, which only supersedes any reasonable excuse for me to back off. She’s admitting things without knowing it. This will be easier than I could have hoped for.

Then there’s the constant reminder of the things I’ve witnessed; the things I shouldn’t know about. They’re beyond the borders of my occupation. I spied on her, when I should have looked away, and I enjoyed every second of it. What kind of man does it make me? Am I sick in the head?

My mind goes to her being naked and touching herself, and I have to look away to gather my thoughts and hide them. I’m reminded she is a mission. It’s my job to interrogate her, even if I have to take drastic measures to make it happen. I almost want to smile at the assumption I could get what I want before taking her down.

When she’s ready all of her secrets will be revealed and I’ll have the answers I desperately seek, and maybe something else to remember her by. “It’s a meal. Come on. I hate eating alone. I’m buying. It’s an offer you can’t refuse.”

She heaves a heavy sigh. “Fine. A meal. Afterwards we’re parting ways. It’s for the best, Moth. You’re a funny guy, and you’re not shabby looking,” she teases while continuing. “But I can’t involve anyone in my life right now. I’m not saying I’m going to avoid you, but I need to be clear this isn’t going anywhere.”

I’m up for the challenge. “Deal.”

Windy takes us to a restaurant I’m all too familiar with. It’s my father’s favorite place to go for holidays, instead of having to cook for he and Jamie. I can’t blame him. The food is outstanding, and a bit pricy. Here’s the problem with that scenario. I have to pay with my credit card, which says my real name. This has to happen without Windy catching it. To elude the situation from escalating in a direction I don’t want it to go, I run up to an ATM machine and withdrawal enough money to cover it in cash, all while she waits unsuspectingly inside of the establishment to get us a table. Since she’s not around, I pull out my cellphone and check my messages.



Have you cloned the second phone yet? We need to know who she’s talking to. – Renner

Still working on it. She’s been keeping it in her purse. It’s going to take more time. I’m eating dinner. Check in later. – Moth

Dinner with the criminal. Are you losing your touch? It’s because of that * haircut. Guess you have to work harder now. Does that mean you’re planning on staying the night? You’re such a dog. – Renner

Piss off. I won’t sleep with the suspect. Give it a f*cking rest. – Moth

I love it when you’re testy. It makes my dick hard. – Renner