Victim of Love by Darien Cox Read Free Book Online Page A

conspiratorially,” I whispered. “The question is why?”
    He eased back and pulled out a wallet, handing me a wad of cash. “Here.”
    I frowned at the stack of twenties and fifties, then examined the bottom of the statue. “Uh, the price tag says this thing is seven bucks.”
    Grasping my hand, he bent my fingers around the cash. “I know that. I need him to see me giving you the cash.”
    “He’s not even watching.”
    “Trust me. He’s watching.”
    “Okay. I’m just gonna say it. You sound really paranoid.”
    “There’s a guy following me. Of course I’m paranoid.”
    I stared into his eyes, suddenly recalling one of Kamal’s past pearls of wisdom to me. ‘ Olsen, you can’t fuck the crazy out of someone. Remember that. ’
    “Is this a joke?”
    “Look, what’s your name again?”
    “Olsen.”
    “Okay, look Olsen, I promised my sister I’d focus on her this week and not get distracted by work stuff. I’ve pissed Laurie off in the past when I took off for work when I was supposed to be visiting her, and I’m trying to finally make things right with her. That guy over there is going to toss a monkey wrench into things for me, so I need to get rid of him. Will you just do this for me? Please? I swear, I’ll explain everything later.”
    I hesitated. Crazy or not, his close proximity had me unnerved. But what the hell was he playing at? My instincts told me this was either an elaborate deflection tactic or a joke at my expense. Probably both. I was about to tell him to shove his gold penis-nun up his ass, but then he gently squeezed my hand.
    “Later, I promise. We can talk alone, all right?”
    And that was all it took. I was about to jump off a bridge for him. “Okay.”
    He nodded. “All right? I’ll meet you outside in a few minutes.” With that, he walked away.
    Feeling like a gullible tool, I walked to the other side of the barn and stood in line at the register. I spotted the tall, thin black man, still browsing, seemingly uninterested in me, or Beck. This was ridiculous. If Beck had wanted to get rid of me, he could have simply told me to fuck off. I wouldn’t have liked it, but I would have fucked off.
    I paid for the stupid statue, then as instructed, left the antique shop and stood outside in the sunshine, leaning against the wall just beyond the door. My mind conjured images of Beck, still inside, laughing to himself at my expense with that huge grin of his.
    The tall black man stepped out of the barn. I froze, gripping the little plastic bag with the nun inside. He looked up at the sky, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “Beautiful day,” he said.
    I glanced around. We were the only two people in sight. He was speaking to me. “Ah, yeah. Gorgeous day,” I said.
    He turned his head and smiled at me. “Ah, I see you found treasure.” He pointed to the bag I held. “Sadly, I couldn’t find a thing.”
    “Yeah, just a little something.”
    He walked slowly toward me. “Let’s see what you got. If you don’t mind, of course.”
    “Oh, uh, sure.” I pulled the statuette out of the bag and held it up. The nun glittered gold in the sunlight.
    The man’s eyes widened and he took another step toward me. “Oh, very beautiful. Yes, very nice.” He held his hand out. “May I?”
    “No you may not! ” Beck shouted as he stepped out of the door. “Olsen, put it back in the bag.”
    The man turned and smiled at Beck, but his brown eyes hardened at the sight of him. “Beckett Turner, what a pleasant surprise.”
    “Surprise my ass.” Beck got in his face, jabbing a finger into his chest. “You followed me? You actually followed me here, Quinn?”
    “Nonsense!” The other man took a step back from Beck, spreading his arms wide. “I just happened to be in the area.”
    “Bullshit.” Beck’s large teeth clenched. “I am on vacation with my sister! How dare you show up here?”
    The tall man’s pleasant façade crumbled then, and his jaw stiffened. “Vacation my