Cat 'N Mouse Read Online Free

Prescott.”
    •  •  •
    Warren Prescott knocked again on the door. He hated to be kept waiting. Yet that’s what Mr. O’Malley was doing. He’d just gotten off the phone with Matt while enroute to Matt’s apartment and was assured that O’Malley was at the apartment. He knocked again and heard movement on the other side of the door.
    “What can I do for you, Mr. Prescott?” Sam asked when he opened the door leaning against the doorframe. He watched as Sam’s gaze shifted to Colt waiting by the black Escalade. His bodyguard didn’t like O’Malley and it seemed the feeling was mutual, but that was not his concern at the moment.
    “I’d like a word with you. May I?” Warren looked beyond Sam’s shoulder into the living room. The man didn’t budge. “Please.”
    Sam nodded. Colt started toward the apartment building.
    “He can wait outside,” Sam said loud enough for Colt to hear. “He doesn’t look toilet trained.”
    Prescott gestured for Colt to wait and the bodyguard stopped half way up the walkway. He was aware that the bodyguard didn’t like this impromptu meeting. Colt typically received his schedule in advance so that he could execute his job and protect him. Not his time. He had wanted to talk to O’Malley himself and not use a go between. When he planned things he left nothing to chance.
    Matt had told him O’Malley was only available for a week. A week wasn’t good enough. He intended to change the man’s mind. He wasn’t accustomed to not getting what he wanted. And he was not accustomed to begging either.
    “You don’t like me,” Warren said as he entered the apartment. He smelled food. A microwave dinner was on the counter with steam rising from the black plastic container.
    “Does it matter?” Sam grabbed his beer and perched on the stool. He tipped the bottle to his head, watching Prescott lingering at the door.
    “It would make things easier.” Warren moved into the living room and waited for Sam to offer him a seat. The invitation didn’t come. “My daughter is my world. She belongs at the estate, but at the moment she chooses to live elsewhere. I’ll do whatever I can to protect her from the bastard who wants to hurt her. At the moment, that means having you on our side.”
    “I’m no bodyguard. Matt and I just had a discussion. Since I’m in between jobs, I’ve given him a week of my time. After that, you can get someone to chauffeur your
Princess
around.”
    “I want you until this threat is over. Matt says you’re good at what you do. I’m willing to pay.”
    “You don’t have enough money in the world to keep me on your payroll. You don’t own me either. I made a promise to Matt, not you. One week and I’m done.”
    Warren sat down on the sofa, leaned back and signed heavily. His hands were shaking. To show weakness to anyone was not something he was accustom to.
    “My daughter is all I have, Mr. O’Malley. Someone wants to hurt her. It could be because they’re trying to get back at me, I don’t know. I’ve not been kind to a lot of people.”
    “I’m sure you and Matt can work it all out after the week is up.”
    “No!” He slammed his clenched fist into his open palm. “The reason why she ran into your car was because her brakes failed. Someone tampered with her car.”
    Sam put the beer down on the counter. Warren noticed that he hadn’t moved from the spot since he’d entered the apartment. He gave the impression that he was relaxed, but Warren knew better.
    “I gave you my answer. We’ve nothing further to discuss. Why are you still here?”
    Warren wasn’t used to losing control and took a minute compose himself all under the intense scrutiny of Samuel O’Malley. Nothing but honesty would appeal to the man staring at him. He could sense it. They had a lot in common, but if he said that right now, O’Malley would laugh in his face.
    “You remind me of myself when I was your age. I was angry at the world, but that anger got me where