Edge of the Enforcer by Cherise Sinclair Page A

for the rescue.”
    Unreadable gray-green eyes simply looked at her for a prolonged minute. Without another word, he rose and walked out the front door.
    She’d won.
    So why did it feel like she’d lost?
    “Holy fag-fucking-doodles,” Dixon breathed. “Did the Enforcer just make a move on you?”
    “No. Absolutely not.”
    “Mmmhmm.”
    Abby didn’t speak, but her brows drew together as she glanced at the door.
    “Well, I gotta get my ass in gear. My shift starts in an hour.” Dixon kissed Lindsey’s cheek and rose. “If you need anything, sweet cheeks, you give me a call.”
    “I will. Thank you for coming over.” God, having friends was…was the best thing in the world.
    As Dixon left, Simon helped Lindsey to her feet. “Rona is setting up so we can eat outside. What would you like to drink?”
    Right about now, her mama would be making margaritas. The unexpected sweep of homesickness shook her. I want to go home. “Anything is fine.”
    Simon led her to the patio with Abby following. Xavier had pushed the two patio tables together and was arranging the chairs while Rona set the table.
    Lindsey looked around in amazement. The backyard of this side of the duplex was fenced-in and lush with autumn blooms. It reminded her of the gardens shown in fairy-tale books.
    Abby opened the cooler set by the door. “Want a beer?”
    The desire to say yes ensured her answer. “No. Not today. A diet soda, please.”
    Simon lifted an eyebrow. “You sure?”
    “If I drink when I’m anxious, I get more scared.” And since last spring, she’d rarely felt safe. She gave him a crooked smile. “It’s not worth it.”
    With a start, she realized Xavier was watching her. “Sounds as if you’ve been afraid before today,” he murmured. “Why is that, pet?”
    Oh shit. When would she learn she couldn’t blabber? Especially around men like Xavier and Simon, who actually listened. Even deVries displayed Dom-focus. “You know how it is… A nasty husband can leave bad memories.”
    His skeptical expression was worrisome, but at least he didn’t ask more questions. Maybe because she looked so battered or maybe because she wasn’t his submissive to interrogate. Either way, thank you, little baby Jesus.
    “As long as it’s only memories.” Simon’s dark brows were together. “If not, I expect you to call me. You’ll dial 9-1-1 if you need to, correct?”
    Whoa, there was the perfect lead-in to what she needed to know. “Sure. On the other hand, I’ve heard not all law enforcement officers are trustworthy. Of course, maybe that’s only a Texas problem. Is California better?”
    “Doubtful,” Rona said. After serving Simon, she put a piece of pizza on a plate and set it in front of Lindsey. “They recently indicted two customs agents for taking bribes.”
    Dammit. “Well, there you go,” she said glumly. “Can’t nobody be trusted.”
    “It seems so, doesn’t it? However some occupations are more trustworthy than others.” Xavier seated his wife and sat down beside Lindsey. “Like social workers. Simon said you have an MSW in social work with a small amount of experience and no credentials.”
    She gave Simon a frown. “Do y’all gossip about me all the time?”
    “In spare moments, child. You’re too young to take up much time.”
    Under his amused gaze, she could only laugh and turn back to Xavier. “That’s right. Why?”
    “I could use someone with your background in Stella’s Employment Services.” Xavier leaned back in his chair, studying her. “You’d help match up women with jobs and point them toward new career choices.”
    She nodded. She could do that.
    “There would be a small amount of travel to women’s shelters for the same type of assistance. In fact, a friend has requested Stella’s for a shelter she recently acquired.”
    “I don’t have a license—”
    “That’s not a concern. The shelters have clinical psychologists on staff. Even so, we’ve found filling out