: Part 4
"Listen, Sweet Pea, really look at me," he insisted.
"I am looking at you!" I replied, a bit flustered.
"No, I mean, look at me and really listen," he urged.
I focused my attention on him intently.
He continued, "Gayle has never been here, and she won't be. Her place was targeted in a drive-by, and if she asked for my advice, I'd tell her to go to the police. You see where I'm coming from, right?"
"Not really," I admitted, and his grip tightened again. Nervously, I asked, "You said you investigated and watched me, not them. Why?"
He glanced over my head, muttering a surprised "Jesus."
"You're not looking at me now," I pointed out, and his gaze returned to meet mine.
"Don't worry, babe, I'm okay. I know you enjoy what we have, the connection we share, but I've com
