Page 5 of Girl Between (Dana Gray FBI Mystery Thriller #5)

Halfway to the wrought iron exit gate, a rowdy sash-wearing bachelorette bumped into Dana, causing her to collide with an incoming stranger.

“No, my fault,” the man replied. “Can I get you another?” he asked, gesturing to Dana’s now empty Styrofoam cup.

“Actually, this was probably fate telling me it’s time to call it a night.”

A slash of gold teeth stunned Dana momentarily. “Outta townie turning down a drink? Damn, this is my lucky night.”

Dana laughed. “If you’re handing out IOU’s I might take you up on it next time, but as for tonight, I’ve had my fill of the Quarter.”

“Awe, cher!” His hands found her hips. “Nawlins has so much more to offer. Bourbon Street is the basement of what my city can do.”

“Your city? How do you know it’s not my city, too?”

He laughed, flashing that blinding smile again. “Please, bébé. Don’t even try ta front. You ain’t got no bayou in you.” He grinned, pulling her closer. “But if you want to change that, I’m willing and able.”

Dana swiftly kneed the guy in the groin, dropping him like the bag of trash he was. It earned riotous laughter from his crowd of cronies.

Sticky and annoyed, Dana stepped over the cretin and continued toward the exit in a hurry, but she wasn’t fast enough.

Another man stepped into her path, but before he could get out whatever he’d come to say, she cut him off.

“Christ, is there some sort of bet I’m unaware of tonight?

Because I can save you the trouble. I’m not interested! ” she shouted.

He frowned, his dark eyebrows knitting in confusion. “I’m not here to hit on you, ma’am.”

Ma’am. The word stung, but Dana didn’t dwell on it. She was too focused on the crowd of onlookers watching their exchange. Whoever this guy was, his friends seemed to have a wager riding on whether he’d be able to pick her up. “Your friends seem to think differently.”

He followed her line of sight, and the group of men immediately looked away. “Them?” he asked. “Normally, I’d trust them with my life, but tonight, they’re idiots. You can ignore them. They’re harmless, I promise.”

“And you?” she asked. “Are you going to tell me you’re as harmless as dickless over there?” she asked, thumbing toward the direction of the man she’d dropped who was now crawling away in a hurry.

“He’s why I came over here, ma’am. I saw the exchange and wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

“I’m fine.”

“You don’t seem fine. Honestly, if you want to file a report?—”

She laughed, cutting him off. “Thanks, but I don’t have time for your ambulance chaser spiel.”

He produced a card from his pocket anyway. “How ‘bout now?” he asked.

She narrowed her eyes, trying to focus on the letters that were moving too much for her to read, but she had no trouble identifying the large NOPD shield in the corner. “You’re a cop?”

“Guilty,” he said.

It was her turn to look confused. She swore she saw him walk in with the rowdy bachelor party that forced her to call it a night.

“I did,” he answered, making Dana blush with embarrassment.

“Didn’t mean to say that out loud,” she muttered.

He shrugged, flashing a dimpled smile. “That’s okay. I prefer transparency. You’ll find I’m a straight shooter.”

“That implies I’ll be spending more time with you,” Dana replied.

“Well, I was sorta hoping you might.”

Dana crossed her arms. “So, you are hitting on me?”

“More like asking a favor.”

“So, tell me,” she said, leaning close. “How much is riding on me leaving here with you tonight?”

He laughed, rocking back on his heels. “Am I that obvious?”

She smirked, somewhat charmed by his sudden embarrassment.

He gave a nervous laugh. “Sorry, I don’t normally do this kinda thing, but they’re relentless,” he said, nodding toward the group of onlookers now shouting cat calls in their direction.

“Bachelor party. Makes ‘em even more obnoxious than usual. I promised I’d make an appearance and now that I have, I’m looking for an excuse to leave. I’m hoping you might be that excuse.”

“Well, I don’t normally do this kind of thing either, but tonight’s your lucky night,” Dana said, accepting the unspoken invitation.

“For real?” he asked, eyebrows meeting his dark hairline.

“Let’s be clear,” Dana specified. “I’m saying I’ll walk out of here with you. That’s all.”

His easy smile showed he was game, and he offered his arm. “I’d call that a win.”

Dana hooked her arm through his elbow, and they left the din of debauchery behind.