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The question caught Charlie off guard and made her feel as if she’d interrupted something. She could hear the shower still running, looking up at Hemlock who seemed to be blocking the top of the stairs, Charlie took a step down. “I can leave, but why are you home early?”

She watched as Hemlock glanced back over his shoulder, then back at her. “I got off early from the clinic and I didn’t have anything else scheduled.”

Going with her gut, she refused to let her past dictate her reaction to his appearance. “Are you going to stand here or go finish your shower?”

“Sorry, you startled me. Wanna grab a shower with me?” he asked with smile, trying to ease the invisible tension between he and Charlie.

“Only if we can order pizza afterwards.” Taking his hand Charlie let Hemlock lead her to the bedroom where he watched her strip out of her clothes.

As always when the two were naked and wet one thing led to another as they stood under the hot spray of the shower. Their kisses were more desperate than any other time, they were rough and desperate. Hemlock moved her backwards towards the shower wall when he heard a noise.

Breaking the kiss, he motioned for Charlie to stay quiet as he eased open the shower door and stepped out. Hemlock didn’t bother with a towel as he moved across the bathroom floor. As quietly as he could, Hemlock eased open a small cabinet door and retrieved a small caliber revolver.

He almost winced when he cocked the gun. Hemlock looked towards the shower, then opened the bathroom door stepping into the bedroom.

Truck held up his free hand, in his other was a gun. “Whoa, I’m friendly.”

“Truck? What are you doing here?”

“We had plans to eat. Remember? Charlie had to work.” Truck continued staring at Hemlock who hadn’t lowered his gun. “Can you put that away.”

“Sorry,” Hemlock said, lowering his gun.

“I meant your junk.” Truck shook his head.

“Shit. Charlie’s still in the shower. We’ll be down in a few.” As he headed back into the bathroom Hemlock stopped. “Why did you have your gun out?”

“Front door was open when I arrived.” Truck turned for the door. “I’ll be downstairs,” he called out over his shoulder.

Hemlock watched Truck walk away as he turned for the bathroom. He’d have to mention the door being left open to Charlie, he thought closing the bathroom door.

Truck sat with a slice of pizza in his hand with it halfway to his mouth when he heard Charlie say she was suspended from the library. “Let me get this straight. Ashley and Crispen came in and caused a scene and you got suspended?”

Charlie answered Truck around the mouthful of pizza she was eating. “Yes, that’s what happened.” Swallowing the food, she continued, “It didn’t help me that I had words with my manager when she called me after I clocked out and left.” Picking up another slice of pizza, Charlie grumbled about disliking the job before taking a bite of food.

After the food was eaten and everyone was full, Charlie cleaned up leaving the two men talking as she squared away thekitchen. Truck telling her goodbye startled Charlie. “You guys need to wear bells around your necks,” she joked. Hugging Truck, Charlie walked to the door with Hemlock. As they stood watching Truck fire up his bike, she wrapped an arm around Hemlock’s waist. One more wave and they watched the brother roll down the street.

Charlie leaned into Hemlock, “I didn’t know he had a key to the house.”

“He does, but when he arrived, he said the door was wide open.” Hemlock saw the shocked look on Charlie’s face. “Hey, it happens.”

Charlie shook her head; she knew one hundred percent she closed the door. “I’m sure I shut the door.” She felt like Hemlock didn’t believe her when he kissed her head and walked back inside. Standing in the doorway, Charlie looked around the neighborhood as she ran her hands up and down her arms. Walking back inside, she closed and locked the door.

Chapter Twenty

Around three a.m., an alarm on his phone went off, alerting Hemlock there was activity outside his condo. Rolling over, he expected to see an animal on the screen. Instead, he saw a hooded figure moving around his bike and car. Throwing the covers off, he pulled on his jeans, grabbed the gun from his nightstand, and ran for the front door. He hadn’t gotten the door opened good when he caught sight of the perp moving across the lawn.

His bare feet hit the dew-covered grass as he tracked the figure moving fast across the neighbor’s yard. Hemlock didn’t slow down, and he wouldn’t until he had the asshole on the ground. He followed in pursuit through multiple yards when he came to the end of the street, he caught sight once again of the individual as they turned the corner. Hemlock barely missed a broken off fence post and slipped on the wet grass. Regaining his footing, he started gaining on his target. He was in range and shouted, “Stop or I’ll shoot.” One chance was all he gave before he’d pull the trigger.

A dark-colored sedan came into view and screeched to a halt as the passenger door opened.It’s now or never,Hemlock thought as he brought the gun up and pulled the trigger. The perp managed to get into the car unharmed. Ready to keep firing at the driver, he watched as the car sped off, leaving Hemlock standing in the middle of the street. Lights were popping on inside apartments along with the sounds of dogs barking. Walking over, he found the spent rounds and picked them up. No need to leave anything for the cops when they arrived on the scene. And they would.

Heading back to his condo, Hemlock stepdown and felt a sharp pain in his foot. “Damn it!” Picking up his foot, he saw a large piece of glass barely sticking out of it. “I must have hit the car window after all.”

Pulling the glass out, he held onto it and hobbled back home. Coming across the lawn he heard sirens and knew he needed to get rid of the gun in his waistband. Charlie stood on the little front porch wrapped in a blanket. “Are you okay?”

“No. I cut my foot. I need you to do something for me.”

“Anything.”