Page 6 of By The Book

Thankfully Tom missed the look that flashed over the kid’s expression at the mix-up, but Denz met the kid’s gaze and held it until the kid looked away.

Denz had only known Tom a matter of days, but he was a decent man, one who didn’t need disrespecting by his grandson.

“Denz, put those down before you rip those stitches,” Tom said. “Denz here is a bodyguard. He’s worked with some of the celebrities here in town.”

“I’m going to my room,” Tommy said.

“Make your bed,” Tom said. “Don’t make your mama come do it for you.”

Denz met the kid’s gaze as he passed by and caught another flash of anger. The kid was a walking powder keg.

“I see,” Claire said, her tone measured, as though she didn’t quite believe it.

“It’s not a bad gig,” he told her. “I get to travel, and the pay is good.”

“It ought to be if getting shot is in the job description,” Claire said dryly, glancing at him before focusing on the tote bag remaining in her hand.

She shoved that one into the closet and tossed another bag on top as though trying to hide it.

“He may have caught a bullet but he saved a life,” Tom said.

“I did my job,” Denz corrected.

“And you obviously did right by it since the guy’s walking around today,” Tom said, sliding a quelling look at his daughter.

Denz took a step back, not wanting to participate in the tension he felt in the room. “Well, I’m going to head out,” he said to Tom. “You folks enjoy your evening.”

“Thanks for the help,” Tom said.

“Yes, thank you,” Claire added.

Denz walked out of the bedroom when he heard Tom speak.

“Don’t you be giving Denz a hard time,” Tom said.

“I wasn’t.”

“You were,” Tom said.

“I simply asked about his profession.”

“Well, now you know.”

“Dad—”

“Why are you here, Claire?”

Denz paused in the hallway and waited to hear her response.

“I thought you wanted us to visit. Is that not okay? If not, we can go.”

Okay then. No tension there.

Tom mumbled something in his gruff voice as Denz walked away.

Chapter 4

Claire yanked the sheets apart and began making the bed, aware of her father watching her every move.