“And you think I do? You think I like having to drop everything and fly out to Miami to see what kind of trouble you’re getting into this time? You think I’m looking forward to spending the next few days skulking in shadows keeping an eye on you?”

I stumble-stepped, stunned, then stopped.

“You don’t have a choice,” he said, back to me, still walking. “And, apparently, neither do I.”

He jaywalked across the road and strode away. I stared after him, unable to believe what I’d heard. I’d never asked for his protection. He was the one who chased after me, fretted about me and hovered over me. I wanted to go after him. To pound on his back and shout, “How dare you!”

Self-centered, arrogant bastard.

What a shock.

I turned and headed back to the main road, managing a graceful exit, should he turn to see it. But I knew he wouldn’t.

I HADN’T FOUND a cab yet when my cell phone rang. I scrambled to grab it, eager even when I didn’t want to be. Then I realized it was the gang phone.

“Hey,” Jaz said when I answered.

“Hey, yourself,” I said with a genuine smile. “I was going to call you this morning, but I don’t have your number.”

“It should be on your phone. Rodriguez—”

“—programmed it in. Okay, I feel like an idiot. I completely forgot.”

“No problem. I’d have called earlier, but I didn’t want to wake you. Figured you might be a little rough after the tequila.”

“A little.”

“Anyway, uh, I wanted to call and say I’m sorry about last night.”

“You? If apologies are due, they should come from me. It’s just—well, after the problems with my folks, I freaked out.”

Pause. My heart started hammering. Did he doubt my story? I instinctively tried to read his vibes but, of course, I couldn’t over the phone.

“I’m sure there was a problem with your parents,” he said finally. “I know what that’s like. But, well, I wouldn’t blame you if you went outside last night, got some fresh air, cleared your head and realized that going back in wasn’t what you wanted.”

“No, that’s not—”

“I was pushing it. Pushing hard. I could tell the tequila was going to your head, and I took advantage of that. I was riding high, not just on the booze. After a big job I get…pumped, I guess you’d say. I got carried away.”

“You weren’t the only one. In fact, I’m pretty sure I started things. But, yes, it was a little…public, after I thought about it.”

“Which is cool with me. Would a private lunch be more your style, then?”

I smiled. “It would.”