Tough Luck (A-List Security 1)

“You can do that later.” Tongue sticking out the corner of his mouth, he carefully flipped the pancakes then plated everything all pretty on two colorful plates with the fruit. “First, you have to eat my creation.”

“I can do both,” I promised as he set the food down on the table. He fetched two cups of coffee as well before sitting with me.

“Huh.” Gaze on the window, he frowned.

“What?” I turned so I could see too.

“There’s a car up the hill.” He pointed to the barely visible strip of skinny country road. “It’s been there since before I added the pancakes to the skillet. I didn’t think anything of it, but now it’s been long enough to be a little weird.”

“Hell. Probably tourists who parked there, hiking where they shouldn’t.” A gnawing sensation that wasn’t hunger poked at my gut. “But I’m gonna need to investigate.”

“After breakfast.” Danny pouted, stubborn tilt to his chin.

“Shouldn’t wait.” I pushed my plate aside before standing. I hated disappointing him, but all we needed was lost tourists knocking on the door. “Sorry. I don’t want trouble on our doorstep.”

“We did work hard on the porch.” Mouth twisting, he stood as well. “Can I come? I can help investigate.”

“No, you can’t,” I said sharply. Probably too sharply. I tried to gentle my tone as I found some actual clothes. “You go to the loft with your phone. Stay away from the window. Wait for me to come back. Call Duncan or Harley if I don’t.”

Continuing to hover nearby, he made an indignant noise. “You’re coming back.”

“Yup.” After zipping my jeans, I patted his arm. I’d leave him a gun, but I knew he wouldn’t touch it. Telling him to hide would have to be good enough. “Just thinking worst case.”

“Well, don’t. You’re coming back. I get why I can’t come, but I hate it. I hate hiding.”

“I know.” Straightening from putting my boots on, I gave him a fast kiss. “I’ll be quick as I can.”

Whether a lost tourist or some other trouble, I wanted to head off whatever the risk was, keep danger far from Danny.

“Cash.” Pausing by the ladder to the loft, Danny worried his lip with his teeth. “Be safe. I—”

“I know.” I stopped him from whatever panicked declaration he’d been about to make that he’d be embarrassed about later. “I’ll be careful.”

“Okay.” His expression remained mulish. “You better.”

I waited until he was in the loft before I retrieved a gun, hiding it in a shoulder holster under a baggy plaid shirt before locking the cabin and heading for the road. Approaching the car cautiously, I kept my senses on red alert even after I spotted two young women standing near the newer-model compact. They might be the decoy for a trap, so I hung back, scanning the woods on both sides of the road.

“Hey there,” I called out, getting their attention. Both women frowned, the shorter one stepping closer to the car. Their wariness was a good sign. “What seems to be the problem?”

“Tire blew. And we can’t get enough service to find a how-to video or call Triple-A for help.” The taller, blonder woman held up a phone. “We’ve never changed a tire before.”

“Elana,” the shorter one scolded. “We’re fine. We’ll figure it out.”

“I’ve changed more than a couple.” I held my hands up, trying to look less threatening. I wasn’t as worried about them being part of an elaborate con, but I still kept my head about me as I ventured closer. “Want me to take a look?”

“Would you?” Elana gave me a winning smile even as her friend groaned.

“I knew this drive was a bad idea. We should have stayed in Mammoth Lakes.” The friend gave me a stern glare. Both seemed old enough to be past college but probably still under thirty. “Where they are expecting us back.”

“You’re smart to be cautious. I’d promise I’m a good guy, but plenty of bad guys say the same.” I approached the flat tire slowly lest the suspicious friend decided to pepper spray me or something. “Let me take a look at your tire, see if I can get you back on the road.”

“You’re from that cabin down there?” Elana asked, gesturing down the hill. I made a noncommittal noise as I inspected the jack and spare the ladies had already helpfully lined up next to the car, but Elana kept right on chatting. “That’s a cute place. Do you have animals? Horses?”

“Elana. The man is doing us a favor, not offering a tour of his property.” The friend did an epic eye-roll. And no way in hell was I offering tours of anything, but the two of them were pretty entertaining. I liked the social Elana and the bossy friend, whose name turned out to be Alice, and who softened to me more once I got the injured tire off the car.