She realized at once that he expected trouble and that he was used to handling...

She realized at once that he expected trouble and that he was used to handling deadly situations. It was the first time she'd actually seen him do it, despite their long history. It gave her a new, adult perspective on his lifestyle. No wonder he couldn't settle down and become a family man. She'd been crazy to expect it, even in her fantasies. He was used to danger and he enjoyed the challenges it presented. It would be like housing a tiger in an apartment. She sighed as she saw the last tattered dream of a future with him going up in smoke.
Tate looked through the tiny peephole and took his hand away from the pistol. He glanced at Cecily with an expression she couldn't define before he abruptly opened the door.
Colby Lane walked in, eyebrows raised, new scars on his face and bone weariness making new lines in it.
"Colby!" Cecily exclaimed with exaggerated delight. "Welcome home!"
Tate's face contracted as if he'd been hit.
Colby noticed that, and smiled at Cecily. "Am I interrupting something?" he asked, looking from one tense face to the other.
"No," Tate said coolly as he reholstered his pistol. "We were discussing security options, but if you're going to be around, they won't be necessary."
"What?"
"I'm fairly certain that the gambling syndicate tried to kill her," Tate said somberly, nodding toward Cecily. "A car almost ran her down in her own parking lot. She ended up in the hospital. And decided not to tell anyone about it," he added with a vicious glare in her direction.
"Way to go, Cecily," Colby said glumly. "You could have ended up floating in the Potomac. I told you before I left to be careful. Didn't you listen?"
She shot him a glare. "I'm not an idiot. I can call 911," she said, insulted.
Colby was still staring at Tate. "You've cut your hair."
"I got tired of braids," came the short reply. "I have to get back to work. If you need me, I'll be around." He paused at the doorway. "Keep an eye on her," Tate told Colby. "She takes risks."
"I don't need a big strong man to look out for me. I can keep myself out of trouble, thank you very much," she informed Tate.
He gave her a long, pained last look and closed the door behind him.
As he walked down the staircase from her apartment, he couldn't shake off the way she looked and acted. Something was definitely wrong with her, and he was going to find out what.