Page 31 of Gator

“I’ll remember that. Thanks, Mika.”

Chapter nine

Gator

We left Three Bears just after sunrise, Julius clutching his travel mug like it was the last lifeboat off the Titanic. I had one too, but mine was black coffee while his smelled like pure sugar and vanilla.

I opened the passenger door for him. “How chivalrous.”

I leveled him with a look. “Get in the SUV.”

He rolled his eyes but climbed in. “So bossy in the morning.”

He didn’t say much as we drove through early traffic, and neither did I. He was normally so chatty that I figured if he wasbeing quiet, he probably had a reason. Other than the fact that someone was out to get him.

When we parked in front of The Shag Shack, he let out a breath. It was subtle, but I heard it.

“Ready?” I asked.

“You really think this is necessary? They’re going to have questions, and I don’t want to worry them.”

I shrugged. “It isn’t necessary at all. You can always call and tell them you aren’t feeling well and take a few days off.”

“I told you that wasn’t an option.”

“Okay. Then yes. This is necessary.”

He huffed but swung his legs out of the truck. “Fine.”

I scanned the street, the other shops, the parked cars. Nothing seemed off, but that didn’t mean a damn thing. Julius was safe at Three Bears Headquarters, but not here. Whoever it was who was after him knew where he worked. They’d already shown up once so there was no reason to believe they wouldn’t be back.

Inside, the salon was already waking up. The big front windows let in a wash of light over the sleek chairs and colorful product displays. The place smelled like hairspray, expensive shampoo, and too-sweet coffee.

Harper was the first to spot us. She looked up from wiping down her station and grinned. “Look who’s finally gracing us with his presence.”

“Morning, Harper,” Julius sang, voice switching from clipped to sugary-smooth in an instant. “I brought my”— he paused—“Gator. I brought Gator with me. He’ll be hanging out today. Just to keep an eye on things.”

She cocked an eyebrow at me. “Hi, Gator.”

I nodded. “Morning.”

Devon peered out from the back room, arms full of towels. His eyes went wide when he saw me, then flicked to Julius. “Um. Hi.”

“Hi, sugar.” Julius’s voice softened as he reached out to muss Devon’s hair on his way past. “Go on, get those washed.”

Devon scrambled away, mumbling something about spin cycles.

Migs sauntered in from the back, sunglasses on top of his head, even though we were inside. He clocked me instantly, gaze raking me from boots to shoulders with a theatrical flourish.

“Oh my,” he said. “I didn’t know you were bringing dessert.”

Julius shot him a look. “Don’t start.”

Migs ignored him, extending a perfectly manicured hand to me. “Hi, I’m Migs.”

I shook his hand because I was raised right. “Gator.”

He brightened. “Of course you are.”