Page 90 of Dream House
That, and maybe the two big guys standing sentry outside the restaurant.
But Nina hasn’t moved. A woman approaches behind her, her hair in a kerchief, and I realize this is Nina’s boss, Aggie. She says something to Nina, who doesn’t respond.
Then I watch Tyler stretch out a hand, offering it to Nina. She stares at it for a second and then clutches it like a lifeline. Tyler leads her back toward the Jeep.
I look back at Kaleb.
“Shit!”
He’s moving—stalking toward us.
“Let’s go,” I call.
Tyler opens the door and helps Nina in, but Lark hasn’t moved. He’s shielding Aggie from view while the woman locks up the restaurant.
Kaleb stands in the middle of Garfield Street. That’s definitely not a hundred feet away.
“Lark?”
Lark glares over his shoulder and clocks Kaleb’s approach. He isn’t running. He isn’t charging. His predatory prowl may be more unnerving than if he did charge us like a warlord.
“Climb into the driver’s seat, Stella,” Lark calls.
“But—”
“Do it. Get the hell out of here if you need to.”
“No way!” I shriek, but I’m moving, straddling the center console and slipping behind the steering wheel as Tyler climbs in behind Nina and shuts the door.
Aggie yanks her keys from the last bolt and then she’s jogging to her car just as Kaleb sets his foot onto the restaurant’s driveway.
“This guy is nuts,” I mutter.
I flick my gaze to the rearview and see Nina doubled over, shaking. She’s completely terrified. Tyler’s bent over her, one hand on her back, the other clutching one of her hands, but his eyes are locked on Kaleb.
If that look doesn’t saymurder, my middle name isn’t Jane.
“Fuck.” I lay on the horn, and the sound startles everyone. Including Kaleb. But only for a second.
“NINA!”he roars as soon as the blast cuts out. Nina moans in sheer terror, but I know by the way he’s peering blindly through the windshield, maybe thirty feet away, she’s hidden from view.
I hear Aggie’s engine turn over and then footfalls on gravel. I don’t take my eyes off Kaleb. I pictured him ugly. Acne scars and greasy hair. But he’s not ugly. He’s conventionally handsome, dammit. Square-jaw. Hawkish nose. Trimmed goatee.
But his scowlisugly. And there’s nothing attractive about that look in his eyes. Especially now that he angles it at me.
Then his gaze jumps to Lark who’s stalking to the passenger side door. Kaleb’s glare blazes, and I know. I just know he’s about to launch himself at Lark before he can make it into the Jeep.
I hit the gas and the engine revs angrily. Kaleb freezes.
“Get in the fucking car!” I yell.
Lark wrenches the door open, but instead of getting in, he sets his sights on Kaleb.
“You stay the fuck away from her.”
Kaleb holds his gaze, a vicious sneer on his face. “I’m comin’ for you, Nina.” He’s not shouting this time. He’s close enough for us all to hear him. He raises his hand like a toy pistol and moves it back and forth. “Comin’ for all of you.”
“Get. In. The. Car,”I growl, wanting to reach over and yank Lark in by his collar.
