9 The Hitwoman's Downward Dog by JB Lynn Read Free Book Online Page A

promise I won’t be," Zeke said sincerely. It wasn’t a lie since Whitehat had another job for him. "Does that mean I can go get my car?"
    Brian nodded.
    "Great." Zeke looked at me. "Give me a lift?"
    "Let me get the dog."
    "You need the dog to get his car?" Brian asked suspiciously.
    "I want to take her to the dog park."
    "It’s dark out."
    "Exactly," I said. "Have you ever brought a Doberman to a dog park during the day? All those owners who pay more to have their mutts groomed than I spend on groceries in a week act like she’s going to tear their precious pooches limb from limb. It hurts her feelings."
    I got the distinct impression it took all of Brian’s self-control to not roll his eyes when I mentioned the dog’s feelings. "Fine. Go. Just stay out of trouble."
    Leaving Zeke to make small talk in the dining room, I hurried down to the basement. "Armani’s missing and I’m going to look for her. Who wants to go with me?"
     

 
     

Chapter 9
     
    "Go! Go!" DeeDee barked excitedly.
    I looked to the terrarium.
    "Dammit, Maggie, I’m a lizard, not a private investigator," God declared.
    "What about Operation Poisoned Apple?" Piss drawled sarcastically from her hiding place beneath the couch. "Then you were all Mr. Superspy."
    "Fine," God agreed. "If you need me, I’ll go."
    I picked him up out of terrarium. "But you can’t talk while Zeke’s around."
    "Squeak chest," the dog declared with a big grin that the average person would have found frightening considering how many of her teeth showed.
    "I won’t speak if you don’t do anything stupid," God bargained as he scampered down the strap of my bra and settled into the hammock-like space between the cups.
    I let the dog out the storm doors so she could relieve herself before getting in the car, and made my way back to the dining room where Susan was spouting forth everything she expected to do to make Katie’s arrival a momentous occasion.
    "Ready?" I asked.
    "You bet." Zeke pressed a quick kiss to my aunt’s cheek. "As always, thank you for your hospitality, Susan."
    She patted his hand where it rested on her shoulder. "You’re always welcome, Zeke. Anytime."
    Zeke acknowledged each of the Griswald men with a brief nod and then walked out.
    I half-expected Brian to utter another warning about staying away from the Armani investigation, but he stayed silent as I moved away.
    Wordlessly, Zeke got into the passenger seat of my car while I got the dog settled in the back. He didn’t speak until I’d pulled out of the driveway. "I could tell her no."
    "Tell who no?"
    "Whitehat. I could stay here, help you."
    I shook my head. "No. Go do what she needs you to do. I’ve got this."
    "You can’t do this alone. It’s dangerous."
    His concern was sweet. Instinctively, I reached out to pat his knee. "I’ve got DeeDee riding shotgun."
    "Shotgun!" the dog barked for emphasis.
    "Technically, she’s in the back seat," Zeke pointed out.
    "I’ll be careful," I promised.
    "And I’ll get back as fast as I can from whatever this mysterious assignment is." His voice crackled with barely contained bitterness.
    A twinge of guilt twisted in my gut. He was miserable under Whitehat’s thumb, and I hadn’t done anything to help him get out of the situation. Yet.
    We drove the rest of the way to his car in silence, each wrapped up in our own thoughts. He seemed surprised when I slid to a stop behind his car.
    "Promise me, Maggie," he said, his voice ragged with worry.
    "Promise you what?"
    "That you’ll be careful." He grabbed my right forearm and squeezed it for emphasis. "That you won’t do anything stupid."
    The intensity of his request made me uncomfortable.
    I patted his fingers curved around my arm. "I think I’m genetically inclined to do stupid things," I joked, trying to lighten the mood. "You know my family."
    He frowned, not playing along.
    "But I promise I’ll be careful," I pledged seriously, trying to assuage his concern. To seal the promise, I leaned