Until It's You by C.B. Salem Page A

knowing how strong guys were when they were built like that.
    He looked vaguely familiar, actually, but Landon couldn’t quite place where he’d seen him before. Somewhere recently, he knew. His mind was so jacked for a fight he couldn't quite focus.
    An evaluating look was in the man’s dark eyes, seemingly sizing up. After a few seconds he tore his gaze away and looked questioningly at Mark.
    “Just a minute, Roy,” the salesman said, standing up himself. “I was just finishing up with a customer.”
    Landon froze. That name was familiar.
    The Velvet. He’d heard it and figured it for the guy who’d been watching him. Who’d made him run. He looked different, in daylight and with no suit, but that was him.
    What the hell was he doing here? Had he followed? And if so, why would he show his face now? Was Kristina’s disguise really holding, now that he was here?
    If it was, he couldn’t blow it now. He needed a way to disguise his voice, so it didn’t ring true for what Roy was probably expecting.
    He brought his hand up to his mouth and coughed hard so that phlegm caught in his throat. Then he shook his head quickly. “Actually I’m all set,” he said quickly.
    Mark’s oily face fell. He turned to Roy. “Roy, can you excuse us for a second?”
    “No,” Landon said, before Roy could respond. “I think I’ll keep shopping around.”
    “I’ll knock two grand off the price,” Mark said, strafing around his desk to that he was face to face with Landon, between him and the door. “Come on, if you thought you wanted it before, you definitely want it for two grand less.”
    Landon shook his head and then looked up at Roy, who was watching the scene unfold with attentiveness. Pressing his lips together, Landon stepped around Mark and walked to the door.
    He came to where Roy was standing. The thick, stout man hadn’t stepped aside yet.
    Landon’s heart thumped in his chest as he turned sideways to shoulder through. “Excuse me,” he said.
    He couldn't afford a fight here, even if he could take Roy. Which he wasn't sure of. Guy could be strong.
    Roy put his arm out, blocking Landon’s path. “I didn’t mean to rush you,” he said, his voice gravelly with the cigarette smoke he smelled of. Who smoked cigarettes anymore? “Why don’t you take the car?”
    Landon’s jaw clenched. He steeled himself and squared up to Roy. “I don’t want it. Now get out of my way.”
    A crooked smile twisted onto Roy’s face. Landon’s heart pounded.
    Then the shorter man stepped aside, letting Landon through. “Another day,” Roy said, under his breath. “Another fucking day.”
    Landon stepped through the door without another look and walked out onto the lot, the gravel crunching under the soles of his shoes. From there he made it to the sidewalk, resisting the urge to run with every step.
    Was he free? It seemed like he was free.
    He turned the corner, out of range. Finally, he chanced a glance back. Nothing.
    He ran.
    ***
    Roy watched the man walk through the dealership's glass door. Bastard looked Greek, kind of. Couldn't quite place it, but Roy thought he'd seen him before. Strange, because normally Roy would remember a Greek. He'd had a bad run with them lately.
    He turned back to Mark, whose mouth hung open as he sat at his little metal desk.
    Roy grimaced. Mark was pissed. Not a great start when you needed a favor.
    “What the fuck," Mark spat. "That guy probably had like fifty k on him!”
    Roy took a deep breath, slipped into gear. He needed this to come off.
    “He looked pissed off when I walked in,” he said. “I don’t think I ruined shit for you.”
    Mark shook his head. “I fucking had him Roy. Fucker was carrying cash to buy a car. Already had a ton on him. Who does that who ain’t in a bad spot? That shit was an easy shakedown if you just let me set it up for a few more minutes.”
    Roy bit his lip. The bastard had looked slightly familiar, but he hadn’t been paying close attention. He