Page 52 of Hot Pursuit

Nate scowled. “Nothing I hate more than a carefree criminal.”

“Unless she happens to be five-nine with red hair and piercing green eyes?” Leo asked innocently. Before Nate could bite back, his partner nudged him again. “There’s a barbershop across the street. Give me half an hour, get yourself cleaned up for the event, and by the time you get back, I’ll have a tux in hand.”

“How—”

“Don’t question it, Parker. Just go.”

Leo grinned.

Nate grumbled.

But he left. And sat in a chair for thirty minutes, his leg bouncing the entire time, as the barber repeatedly and politely asked him to stay still. When it was done, he gave the guy a hefty tip and practically ran back across the street. Leo greeted him at a dressing room with a tux in hand. Black. Right size. Right cut. His partner slid two shoes under the door, polished but not too shiny, and then hung a bow tie and matching cummerbund over the side, slate gray and sharp.

Nate glanced in the mirror.

Not bad.

“How much will it cost me?” Nate asked.

“Bring it back in one piece tomorrow, and nothing,” Leo drawled.

Nate yanked the door open, meeting Leo’s smug face with a look of pure doubt. “Are you serious?”

“Like I said, my mom used to work in a department store. I knew the right people to kiss up to. But lunch is on you tomorrow, Parker.”

“Hell, throw in breakfast too. Did you find cufflinks?”

“Here.” Leo pulled a small bag from his pocket. “One of the guys has a wedding next weekend. He’s flying right there from New York, so we have to get these back to him tomorrow too.”

“Done.”

Leo crossed his arms and gave Nate a once-over. “For a stubborn asshole, you shape up pretty nicely, Parker.”

He arched a brow. “For a haughty jerkoff, you give a mean compliment, Alvarez.”

“Got your comm?”

Nate pulled the earpiece out from beneath his collar and slid it on. “Got it.”

“Mic?”

“On,” he said, tugging his sleeve up an inch.

“Gun?”

“Tucked in my cummerbund.”

“Now, there’s something you don’t hear every day,” Leo remarked with a smile. “Badge?”

Nate patted his chest.

Leo spread his arms wide. “Then my work here is done. Off to the ball with you, Cinderfella.”

“So what does that make you?” Nate scoffed. “My fairy godfather.”

“I prefer suave, charming, underrated sidekick, who steals the show and goes on to star in a spin-off that makes three times as much money as the original.”

Nate closed his eyes and shook his head. “What?”