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his secrets would complicate matters.
    He weighed his options; he could continue to watch her from afar or he could try some honesty. Without revealing a little of what was going on she was unlikely to accept his offer of protection.
    Watching her from afar was not an option. He’d have to convince her to let him into her home and into her life or his odds of keeping her safe were not guaranteed. If Darius were set on a course of action, it included using the girl.
    The situation couldn’t be allowed to spiral out of control. Guy was specific in his command that the girl not be informed of his involvement. They both agreed this would cause more heartache for her. Not to mention the shock of learning her father was alive.
    It seems as if his twin was pushing for this exact result. Damn you Darius! How can I protect her and keep your ass out of trouble?
    The honesty approach it is, Maxim thought, and he knew exactly where to find the girl.
     
    # # #
     
    Lucessa set the steaming mugs of coffee on the table. The hot liquid splashed over the rim and onto her hand.
    “Ouch.” She skirted the line of waiting customers and made her way through the crowd and back to the counter. “I’ll be right with you.”
    What she loved about her job was also the thing she hated the most. Coffee. The aroma of a fresh cup was completely seductive, while the burn of scalding coffee was painful beyond belief.
    Thankfully, Julie bought stock in burn ointment. She hurried behind the counter and into the small kitchen. The cabinet housing the first-aid kit was under the microwave and next to the powdered non-dairy creamer Julie insisted on keeping around--just in case someone asked for it. She lifted the box out of the cabinet and quickly applied the ointment over the red, irritated skin. She put a bandage on and hurried back out to help the growing line of customers.
    As she pushed through the swinging kitchen door, she felt as if someone were watching her. Working in a coffee shop meant that someone always watched her but this feeling was different...more intense.
    An unknown force pulled her gaze across the room.
    Maxim lounged in the corner. He nodded in her direction when their eyes met. He had nerve coming here again after his heist last night. She couldn’t let this become a habit, him showing up all the time. Next, he’ll be following me around the grocery store or watching through my window while I dress.
    Okay, she had to admit that Maxim watching her dress didn’t sound so bad. Heat rose in her face at the thought and he raised an eyebrow at her.
    She stalked across the room until she hovered over him. “What’re you doing here?”
    “Good evening to you too.”
    “Drop the bullshit, Maxim. Why are you still following me?”
    “I told you already, to protect you.”
    Lucessa rolled her eyes. “Protect me from what?” She had an unlimited number of questions she wanted to ask, but only a few that she could. Where he got his great looks and beautiful eyes was not one of them.
    “The bad guys.” The guy was evasive to his core.
    “What bad guys?”
    “Lucessa, order seventeen is ready,” Bret yelled over the chatter of the shop.
    “Be right there,” she called over her shoulder and turned back to Maxim with a look that would kill--if she had her way. “Can I get you a coffee or something? It looks like you’ll be here for a while.” If he can be a smart ass, so can I .
    “I do not drink coffee.”
    “Everyone drinks coffee.”
    “ I don’t.”
    “Suit yourself, but don’t loiter too long or Bret will throw you out.” With that, Lucessa returned to the counter and took drinks to customers on the back patio. She cleaned the recently vacated tables. Bret normally cleaned the patio area, but it gave Lucessa time away from Maxim’s penetrating eyes.
    “So, who’s Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome?” Julie purred over her shoulder, causing Lucessa to knock over a partial cup of coffee that’d been left on a table she