Personal Demon (Otherworld 8)

"Sure."

"We could probably use a drink too." A smile my way. "On the house."

Shit. In other words, Guy still wanted to talk. I knew I should take advantage, but my brain was spinning with worries about Jaz, and worries about Karl now too, whether he'd know where I'd gone, whether he'd remember to sniff the balcony and under it.

So how to say no to Guy without sounding like I was giving him the brush-off?

"Miss?"

I turned to see Karl approaching. He wore an ill-fitting blazer, shoulders straining the seams--a jacket meant for a thinner man, probably from Sonny's closet. He dipped his head deferentially.

"You wanted me to wait with the cab, miss?"

His accent was a Deep South drawl, copied from Clayton, if I was any judge.

"Uh, no," I said. "I didn't say that, but if you've been waiting, I guess I should--"

"Hold on." Guy took a couple of twenties from his pocket. "There. Go."

Karl took a hard look at Guy, then his gaze slipped to me. "This man bothering you, miss?"

"Yeah," Guy said, words sharp. "I'm a black guy in a bad neighborhood. Of course I'm bothering her. Now, beat it, asshole, or--"

"I was just asking, son. No need to get your back up."

Guy took a step toward Karl. "I'm not your son--"

I jumped between them, which was what Karl was hoping for. Rile Guy up and give me an excuse to get flustered.

I turned to Guy. "Please don't. Not tonight. I--I should just go, okay? I'll see you tomorrow."

Guy protested, but I made it clear I didn't want trouble and he stood watch as Karl led me back to the Lexus.

"Seems someone was hoping for a little company tonight," Karl mused. "Some mutual comforting perhaps in the wake of the crisis?"

"Trust me, Guy's not interested in the opposite sex."

Karl backed the car out. "Oh, I'm quite certain you're mistaken."

"Have a sixth sense for these things, do you?"

"No, but I have an excellent sense for signs of sexual attraction. It's difficult to lure a woman someplace quiet and divest her of her jewels without them."

"At the risk of being sexist, I'll suggest your radar works better on women than men, Karl. I've had enough attention since I got to Miami that my self-confidence is flying pretty high, and I'm telling you, Guy's not interested in me."

He muttered something under his breath, but didn't answer, just circled the block, then returned to check beneath the balcony.

"Too bad Guy interrupted," I said as we snuck around the rear of the building. "Otherwise, I could have just walked you down here before you changed back."

His look said he wasn't dignifying that with a retort.

"I always wanted a dog," I said, nearly running to keep up with his long strides. "My brothers were both allergic. Have I told you that?"

"Once or twice."

"Maybe, someday, you could humor me and--"

"Don't finish that sentence."