Page 125 of Smoke Screen
“No. They’re on their way to meet with Thompson.”
“Did something happen?”
For a few seconds, Phin hesitated and she put her hand up. “You don’t have to tell me.”
“I shouldn’t, but I will. It’s the reason I left the suite this morning. I was reviewing security video from the Center. I found Louis Three sneaking into your office. He walked out with keys in his hand.”
Keys. Maybe hers? “Mine?”
Phin shrugged. “That’s why the guys went to meet with Thompson. To see why he was poking around in your office.”
Louis III? Or as Phin called him, Louis Three. It had to be a mistake. Or maybe he just held his own keys. Why would he steal her keys? That made no sense.
Phin boosted himself off the counter, waving her to follow him. “Rory’s guy wants to get it done, collect his reward, and bolt.”
Double-timing her steps, Maddy fought the pressure from her suddenly weak bladder. “But your brothers. We can’t go alone.”
He halted, shifting sideways to face her. “We’renot. You’re staying here. I’ll make sure the Rios are around and I’ll get Clay—the guy who picked up your car for us—to come over. He’s Zeke’s protégé.” He gently grasped her forearms, running his hands up and down. “I promise you’ll be safe here.”
Oh, please.After everything they’d been through, if he intended to treat her like a helpless female, he had a surprise coming. She slid her arms free. “Don’t do that.”
“What?”
“Patronize me. “
His eyebrows came together. “Huh?”
“And that pacifying tone? You’re treating me like a toddler.”
A strangling sound erupted, and his eyes bugged out. “Whoa. Take it easy. I nearly got you shot yesterday. So, you know,” he circled a hand in the air, “forgive me if I prefer not to have a replay.”
“Me almost getting shot was not your fault. I put myself into that situation and I would do it again. Forget this macho thing you’ve got going. My freedom is on the line. I’m done with everyone dictating my fate. Even if I can’t contribute to this meeting, I’m not staying here.”
Phin backed up a step. “Well, then we have a problem, because you’re not coming with me.”
Huh. It appeared they were about to have their second fight of the day. She cocked her head, fought her rising temper and—yow. She needed a flipping bathroom pronto. “So that’s it? You think you can tell me where I can’t go? News alert, Phin, I’m a grown-ass woman and my car is outside. You won’t force me to stay here.”
“That’s true,” he said, his tone lacking any of the patronizing softness of seconds ago. “However, you’re a highly intelligent woman and understand the danger. At least I hope so after what happened yesterday. I’m not willing to risk you, Maddy. I won’t apologize for that. It’s bad enough I have to go. Please, just stay here.”
When she didn’t respond, he obviously took it as agreement because he jerked his head once, turned and headed toward the main staircase leading to the second floor.
“I have to prep for this meeting,” he called over his shoulder. “Wish me luck.”
25
As soon asPhin opened the Friary’s front door, Maddy ducked behind her car’s steering wheel. If he wouldn’t let her ride with him, she’d drive herself.
Hot wind blew through the open driver’s-side window. To avoid him noticing her until the last possible second, she’d started the engine, lowered the windows for a cross breeze, then shut the car off.
The black SUV sat in front of the Friary. When he fired it up, she waited a few seconds before peeping over her steering wheel to where he headed down the driveway. She bolted upright, quickly started her car, and shifted it into gear. The AC blasted hot air, so she left the windows open until things cooled a bit and then eased her foot off the brake, following him down the driveway.
A hundred yards in, Phin’s brake lights flashed. Busted. Not altogether a surprise. She stopped, shifting the car back to park.
He hopped out of the SUV, left the door open and charged toward her.
Here we go.Fight number three.
And judging by the rock-hard planes of Phin’s face, it might be a doozy.
