Free On Best Behavior (C3) by Jennifer Lane

planned.”
    “How much did you lose?”
    He shrugged. “Five grand…and then some.”
    “I thought you only carried five thousand.”
    “The plan was to get in debt to them from the start.”
    Her heart thumped, and she scampered off her chair. “But they could’ve killed you!”
    “Relax, Soph. The mic has GPS, and the feds were right outside, listening in.” He reached for her hand, but she began to pace.
    “They were right outside…so they could collect your body after you were killed?”
    “It’s not like that. The Russians need me.”
    She paused, turning to him. “Why?”
    “I shouldn’t go into the specifics.” He took a sip of tea, and she sensed he was stalling. “The less you know, the better.”
    “I don’t like this.” She resumed treading her carpet track.
    His voice sounded nervous. “Come sit down. I’m getting dizzy watching you pace like that.”
    “The tequila’s making you dizzy. I thought you weren’t going to drink again.”
    “I didn’t have a choice.” She turned to look at him, wondering what he meant. “I can get away with water at Capone’s, but there’s no way I can refuse drinks from a host.”
    She eyed him. “You don’t seem all that drunk right now.”
    “Getting chewed out by the FBI sobered me up right quick. Besides me not calling in right away, they’re not too impressed with me.”
    Her hands rested on her hips. “What’d you do this time?”
    “Well, for one, I shouldn’t have woken up Tattoo. Shouldn’t draw attention to myself like that.”
    She squinted. “Who’s Tattoo?”
    “The neighbor?”
    “Oh! Seven-B.” She snickered.
    “At least you remembered to call me Mick. Agent Bounter said to tell you good job. You did much better than I did.”
    “What’s that mean?”
    Biting his lower lip, he admitted, “I let the Russians drive me home.”
    “Did they hurt you?” She approached the table and sank into her chair.
    He shook his head.
    “Why would he care about them driving you home then?”
    He met her gaze. “Because now they know where I live.” He winced. “I was supposed to relocate before that happened.”
    “Relocate? You were going to move out?”
    “I had to. I can’t risk them finding you. It’s why I asked Kirsten to move in, to be close to you when I left. Agent Bounter has a place set up in Streeterville for me.”
    “You never told me that! No, Grant. You live with me—I won’t let you go.”
    “Relax. He told me I’m not moving out now.”
    “Good.”
    He rubbed his cropped hair, looking down and sighing loudly. Eventually he looked back up at her, his eyes full of guilt. “I’m not moving now.” There was a pregnant pause. “ You are.”
    “ What?” She shot up out of the chair.
    This time Grant got up too, taking her hand. “I’m sorry, Sophie, but I can’t have you anywhere near them.”
    She felt her face get hot, and she yanked her hand free. “There’s no way I’m moving! You’re going out there every night, risking your life, and I won’t get to see you when you get home? Make sure you’re okay? No. That’s not happening.”
    “It’s not like you have a say in this. The FBI will make you move.”
    “Like hell they will! They can’t make me do anything… I don’t work for them.”
    “Bonnie, please.” He gently clasped her arms to stop her wild gesturing. “You know what happened when the Mafia got to you last time.” His fingers grazed over the bullet wound above her left elbow. “I’ll never forgive myself for that. Let me get you out of the next bullet’s path. I’m begging you. I’d take a bullet for you, but please, don’t take another for me. I can’t deal with it.”
    She exhaled. “Did you know we’d have to live apart all along?”
    “I had a pretty good idea. I asked them how we could keep you out of the action this time.”
    “Do you think it would’ve been a good idea to communicate this to me earlier?”
    He looked down. “You’re right. Dr. Hayes