Maggie Lee (Book 11): The Hitwoman Hires a Manny Read Free Page B

like a beer can, but the reporter’s safety wasn’t my main concern. Katie was.
     
    “Excuse me,” I said loudly, making sure I had Vinny’s attention.
     
    Sure he hates me, but I knew he wouldn’t cross his boss and make a move against me, especially when Katie was involved. I held his gaze while I walked between the two men and carried my niece into her room.
     
    Putting her down on the bed, I said, “I’m going to leave when they come to take you to PT.”
     
    She nodded her understanding. “Two more days, right?”
     
    “You bet.” I smiled, ignoring the terror that clawed on my chest at the idea that in two days I’d be bringing her home to the B&B. “Aunt Leslie will have dinner with you tonight.”
     
    Katie clapped her hands. “Yay! She always brings me a cookie, but,” she leaned closer to confide, “she won’t give it to me if Aunt Susan is here.”
     
    I bit back a smile. Some things never changed. Leslie had been the one to sneak us kids cookies when I was Katie’s age, while Susan was the ‘mean’ aunt who’d made us eat our vegetables.
     
    The orderly, a slight young woman who didn’t look strong enough to do her job, walked in, pushing a wheelchair. “Ready, kiddo?”
     
    “You bet!” Katie jumped off the bed, forgetting that she still wasn’t strong enough to do that kind of thing.
     
    Before I could reach her, she crumpled to the ground in a heap.
     
    “I’m okay,” she called cheerfully, as I sucked in a worried gasp. Brushing her hair off her face, she smiled at me. “Whoops.”
     
    “Whoops indeed.” Bending, I helped her up and into the wheelchair, exchanging a look with the orderly.
     
    “Fearless,” the orderly said, shaking her head.
     
    I kissed the top of Katie’s cheek. “No more jumping, young lady.”
     
    “Bye,” Katie called as the woman wheeled her away. “Love you.”
     
    “Love you too,” I replied, but they were already gone.
     
    What I didn’t love, was the thought of the two men waiting outside the room.
     

Chapter Two
     
     
    Jack was nowhere to be seen, and Vinny, was studying his cell phone carefully when I emerged from Katie’s room. The bodyguard didn’t even look up to glower  at me as I left.
     
    As I walked out of the hospital, I couldn't help but wonder where Jack had gone to. For someone who'd gone to the trouble of tracking me down at my new job at The Corset, it seemed strange that he’d disappear without talking about whatever was bothering him.
     
    He said it had to do with my family. That pretty much meant that it couldn't be anything good.
     
    Strolling across the parking lot, I wasn't surprised to spot him leaning against my car.
     
    When I was within earshot, I mocked, "I thought I was rid of you."
     
    He didn't look amused. "We need to talk."
     
    I stood beside my car, put my hands on my hips, and said, "So talk."
     
    He shook his head. "Not here."
     
    I turned my head from side to side, looking to see if there were any eavesdroppers. I didn't see any.
     
    "Let me buy you a cup of coffee." He flashed a half smile with the offer.
     
    I considered it for a moment, wondering how often the handsome, charming man used his wiles to get his way with women. I didn't want to be one of his statistics. I shook my head.
     
    "Please, Maggie. I haven't eaten, or had a cup of coffee all day, and I'm coming down with a nasty headache."
     
    I felt a surge of sympathy for a fellow caffeine-addict. "You know the Royal Diner?"
     
    He nodded. "Best pickles in town."
     
    I, myself, am an olives girl, but I feel a kinship with pickle people. "Five minutes."
     
    "Thanks." He hurried off toward his car.
     
    I got into mine, wondering if this was the best idea. On the surface, it didn't make a lot of sense for me to be involved with a crime reporter. After all, I could be the subject of one of his stories. On the other hand, if I avoided him too much, it could make him suspicious.
     
    He was waiting for me under the