Beyond Limits by Laura Griffin Page B

coming?”
    No way. Luke was still feeling the effects of last night and the night before that. He’d spent the past four days getting wasted and hooking up with women whose names he barely remembered, in a pathetic attempt to forget their last mission. But it was still stuck on replay in his brain.
    “Think I’m in for the night.” Luke rested the phone on his shoulder as he shifted his bags and unlocked his mailbox.
    “Dude, you’re killing me. Come play pool with us. I just won fifty bucks off some jarheads. Easy money tonight.”
    Luke grabbed a pile of junk mail. “I’ll think about it. Hey, I got a question for you. You noticed anyone on your six today?”
    “No. Why?”
    “I’ve got someone following me.”
    “Who?”
    “Feebies, I think. You haven’t noticed anyone?”
    “No, man. Why would feds be tailing you?”
    It was a good question. And he was beginning to think it had something to do with the meeting he’d had with all the suits the other day. In which case, they might only be tailing him and Derek. Or maybe just him. Luke glanced around and spotted a second familiar vehicle, a white Toyota he could have sworn had been in his rearview mirror when he stopped at the store. So two cars following him. No silhouette in this one.
    “Jones?”
    “Yeah, forget it,” he told him. “It’s probably nothing.”
    “What the fuck do they want?”
    “Who knows?”
    “Bring ’em on down to O’Malley’s, and we’ll ask ’em.”
    “Yeah, maybe I will. Catch you later.”
    “Later.”
    Luke dropped his phone into his grocery bag and glanced at the car one last time as he headed back toward the stairs. Gonzo had a good idea. Maybe he’d screw with these guys a little before giving them the slip.
    Luke’s apartment building was a two-story square. All four sides looked out over a central courtyard that was basically a patch of asphalt ever since the el cheapo management company decided to fill in the pool that used to be there. The place had two staircases and a walkway that surrounded the second floor. His unit was closest to the west staircase. Luke took the steps at a deliberately slow pace, unlocked his door, and paused to listen.
    Footsteps on the other staircase. He set his stuff inside the door and loudly pulled it shut. Then he crept soundlessly around the corner and waited.
    More footsteps.
    He slipped past the north-facing units and around the other side. He reached the south units just as a dark form disappeared around the corner.
    Rookie. Luke would have loved to tackle him right there, but he’d probably piss his pants or maybe fire off a shot. He’d settle for letting him know he’d been made. A few more steps. He listened. Nothing.
    Luke rounded the corner and smacked into the guy, sending him sprawling on his ass.
    Only it wasn’t a guy. Luke’s heart damn near stopped.
    “Holy shit, Hailey ?” He dropped to a crouch beside her. “Are you okay?” He noticed the cast peeking from the sleeve of her windbreaker. “Shit, did I hurt your arm?”
    She rolled to her knees. “It’s okay.”
    He wanted to help her to her feet, but he was scared to touch her. She got up on her own, and then they were standing there, and she was gazing up at him with those blue eyes that had been haunting him for weeks.
    “Hi.” She smiled. Sort of. It was more like a grimace.
    “Really, did I hurt you?”
    “I’m fine.” She glanced around. “I didn’t mean to crash into you.”
    She met his gaze again. Hailey Gardner . It was freaking bizarre. At first he’d thought he was hallucinating, but she was right there, staring up at him from beneath the brim of a Boston Red Sox cap. What the hell was she doing here?
    “You’re probably wondering why I’m here.”
    “Yeah, I am.”
    “Is there a place we can talk?” She glanced over her shoulder. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

Chapter Eight

     
    L uke was hyperaware of the fact that he hadn’t shaved in three days and he