Crash Into Me ~ A Love in the City Romance by Dellani Oakes – Part 2

 

Popping open a beer, he wandered through his house. On the surface, it might seem like he was relaxed and unwary, but that was far from the truth. The beer bottle touched his lips, but he didn't drink. A small pistol rested in his other hand as he examined the house. It was as he'd anticipated—empty. In his business, it was always good to check.

Satisfied he was alone, he warmed some dinner and drank his beer. Images flashed through his mind, as he continued to refine details. It was an advantage he had over his contemporaries, the ability to memorize even the most intricate details. All he had to do was see the blueprints once, and he had it for life. It was the same with any surveillance. There was no need for surreptitious photography, he collected the details in his mind, leaving no incriminating evidence to dispose of.

His phone rang. Glancing at the screen, he gave it a swipe with his thumb. He didn't speak first, leaving that burden to the other person.

"We need to talk," the sharp, supercilious woman's voice snapped.

"Hello to you, too. To what do I owe this call?"

She snorted and he could picture her rolling her eyes. "The talking...."

"Talk."

"In person."

"I'm not available right now. I'm out of town."

"What?" her voice became flat and toneless. "But we need to talk, A—" she'd almost said his name. He had very strict rules about that.

"Oh, gotcha." He chuckled. "That kind of talk."

He would have liked to communicate with Clarise as well, but non-verbally, until the end when she screamed his name.

"I'm sorry, my lovely. Work."

"Don't tell me. I don't want to know," the sharpness was back.

"Do you like the gifts I've given you?"

She sniffed—also sharp. Clairise had the most expressive nostrils of anyone he knew.

"Because, if I don't work, I can't buy the things you enjoy. You have expensive tastes." This was one thing he liked, and loathed, about her. He'd begun to feel the need to cut the ties. But not mid-job.

She didn't know details of his work, but knew it was slightly shady. He never told her anything, never introduced her to his friends—not that he had many. Anton was a man who preferred his solitude. It was easier, and safer, than lying. In his early days, he'd said he did online trading. Not a complete lie, he built his own portfolio. After a couple people demanded his services, he quit saying that.

"Fine," Clarise had a pout in her voice. "Whatever. I miss you," her voice softened.

"I miss you, too," But not enough to go home. He wasn't all that far from her—the other side of the city, in the next county. However, he'd said he was out of town. If he went to her now.... Not worth it. The sex was good, not spectacular. She wasn't shy, and enjoyed experimental sex, which had kept him around longer than usual. There was no emotional connection, though. Many times, like now, he didn't even like her much.

"I need to go," he said simply.

"When will you be back?"

"Sometime next week."

"I really miss you."

"What's going on, Clarise?"

"Nothing." she hung up.

"Annoying woman!" Holding the phone in both hands, he strangled it. She brought out that impulse a lot. At least he never acted on it, preferring to take it out on inanimate objects. He'd already started to cut ties with her. There was nothing to keep him in town. He could work from anywhere. After this job, he would lie low for a few months. Here, was as good as anywhere.

Finding himself hungry and at loose ends, he set out for a nearby town to get a meal. He was far enough into the country that restaurants wouldn't deliver. Instead of his sports car, he grabbed the keys for his pickup truck. Driving to Franklin, he stopped at the Sonic and had a meal in his car. Once he was back home, he went through his security routine again and got ready for bed. Locking his bedroom door, he lay down and was almost instantly asleep.

Morning sunshine washed the bedroom in a golden glow. He didn't have to be up yet, so he snuggled deep in the bed again, smiling as he found the right spot. An hour or so later, he got ready for the day, and set about finding the last element to make his plan work. A search on his phone gave him a list of numbers to call.

"Hi, I'm calling to see if you have any Raleigh Stuntman bikes for men?"

"I do. I've got three, red, blue and black. Which color...."

"Well, to be honest, I'm buying them for our bike club. I need five."

"Oh, man. I can't get any for a few weeks. It took nearly a month to get these."

"Tell ya what. I'll take the blue and black ones. Our team colors are blue and black."

"I hope that's not indicative of your riding style," the man laughed.

"Sadly, it kinda is. A couple of us are real clumsy."

©2021 Dellani Oakes

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