A WHISPER OF ETERNIT

Page 39



They were nearing the end of the block whenTracy felt a prickling down her spine. Someone was watching her! Casually, she glanced up and down both sides of the street, but saw no one. Still, the feeling persisted.

Bryantook her arm as they crossed the street.
The feeling of being watched grew stronger.

And then Dominic materialized out of the shadows. "Good evening," he murmured. He spoke toTracy but his gaze was fixed onBryan , and there was nothing friendly in it.

Tracyswallowed a sudden sense of guilt, though she had no idea why she should feel guilty. She wasn't doing anything wrong. "Hi."

She glanced from Dominic toBryan and back again. The tension between the two men was thick enough to cut. "Dominic, this is Bryan Longstreet .Bryan , this is Dominic St. John."

Bryanstuck his hand out."Pleased to meet you, Mr. St. John."
"Indeed." Dominic hesitated only briefly before taking the other man's hand. "Bryan's a lifeguard,"Tracy said. "I met him on the beach this afternoon."

"How fortunate."There was no mistaking the sarcasm in Dominic's voice, or the fact that he was making an effort to control his anger. "I went by your house earlier."

She didn't miss the accusation in his tone. "I didn't know you were coming."

He lifted one black brow,then bowed his head in a gesture of contrition. "Forgive me. I did not have time to contact you earlier."

She told herself there was no reason to feel guilty because she hadn't stayed home waiting for him. Just because he had come to see her every night for the past two weeks didn't mean she couldn't see anyone else, or that she had to sit around waiting for Dominic, wondering if he was going to show up.

"I'm sorry," she murmured. "It was nice seeing you, Dominic. Good night."

He was not accustomed to being dismissed. It was obvious in the tightening of his lips, the narrowing of his eyes.

"Good night." He inclined his head in her direction, but his gaze never left Longstreet's .

Bryancleared his throat, clearly disturbed by Dominic's scrutiny.Tracy couldn't blame him. The look in Dominic's eyes was cold enough to freeze boiling water.

"Good night.Sir." TakingTracy by the hand,Bryan hurried her down the sidewalk. "Who is that guy?"
"Just an acquaintance."

"He's spooky as hell."