Merchants with Evil Intent by Kerrie DuBrock Page A

I’m sorry about that,
too. Can I make it up to you?”
           He wanted to spit in her face but instead
chuckled and rubbed his temple. “I don’t know Cam. It hurt like hell, ya know?”
           She touched his arm. “I’m sorry. I don’t
know what else to say. I shouldn’t have done that.”
           He bent and whispered in her ear, “You’re
right. You shouldn’t have.”
           The way he said it gave Camryn goose
bumps and the little hairs on the back of her neck stood at attention.
           She was done kissing his ass. In fact,
she was done. Period.
           “Well, I just wanted to apologize. See ya
around,” she snipped.
           She began to walk away and he grabbed her
arm, a little rougher than he intended. “Wait, I thought you wanted to make it
up to me?” he asked with a slight grin.
           Her eyes narrowed. “What do you have in
mind?”
            He shrugged, “Why don’t you come by my
place around seven and we can talk about it.”
               “I
can’t tonight. I’ll call you later in the week,” she hedged, walking away.

 
           With a room full of cops watching Viktor
held his emotions in check. He turned and called over his shoulder, “Later,
Cam.”
           He began to sift through paperwork on his
desk when Travers walked by slowly and stared at him. Viktor shot him an
annoyed glance. The guy got on his nerves.
           At one time he thought Camryn and Travers were an item because they always showed up at parties
together. He always thought Travers wanted more, but never acted on it.  
    *       *       *
           When Camryn got home the first thing she
did was grab the thirty-eight from her nightstand and search the apartment.
Afterwards she went into her closet and spun the wheel on the safe several
times and opened the door.
           She pulled out a thick envelope and
spread the contents on her bed. She socked away ten one hundred dollar bills,
for a rainy day and leafed through her passport. Afterwards, she sucked it up
and placed a call she never thought she’d make.
    *       *       *
           Declan’s mobile rang as he pulled into
Colleen’s driveway. “Hello?”
           “Declan! Where are ya?” Colleen
screeched.
           “I’m outside the house, gel. What’s the
problem?”
           She slammed the phone down and ran out
the door, pulling him out of the van.
           “I thought you got lost!” she whimpered
embracing him.
             “Easy, lass. Tis fine.”
           She pulled away and eyed him curiously.
“You smell like perfume. Just where have you been?”
           He wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
“Let’s go in, aye? I’ll tell you aboot my adventure.”
    *       *       *
           “Hello, Camryn.”
           She grimaced. “When does the flight leave
for Ireland?”
           “Tomorrow. Have
you had a change of heart?”
           She hated needing anyone’s help,
especially his. “Yeah.”
           “I’ll be right over.”
           She hung up and started pulling clothes from
her closet to pack. Camryn had never been to Ireland. She was excited, but at
the same time, anxious. She’d never traveled so far on her own and wished she
had someone joining her. Loud banging at the front door jarred her from her
thoughts.
    *       *       *
           Declan relayed the events of his day over
a bottle of beer.
           “That’s quite a story, Dec,” Colleen
sighed.
           “Aye. She’s full
of spunk, that one.”
           “Are you going to call her?”
           Declan sighed running his hand through
his hair. “I’m leavin’ tomorrow. What good would it do?”
           Colleen slapped the table. “Jaysus! Obviously you both like each other! Are you daft?
Call her now!”
           He