“Does it matter? We’re not seventeen anymore, Dash.”
“So she finally did it. She turned you into the daughter she wanted and made you let go of who she couldn’t be bothered with.”
“Don’t speak of what you don’t know. It’s been four years, Dash. You don’t know me anymore.”
“Not quite.”
“Excuse me?”
“It hasn’t quite been four years.”
“You counted?”
“No. I’m just better at math than you, apparently.” I had enjoyed the quick sulk before she covered it up.
“Why are you following me?”
“I wanted to see what rock you were running to crawl back under.”
“That’s none of your business. Excuse me.” She attempted to walk around me, but my hand on her arm stayed her. “There is an airport full of people in case you haven’t noticed. Move or I’ll scream.”
“It wouldn’t matter. I’ll be taken into custody and you’ll escape—maybe.” The quirk of my lips and confidence in my threat had steam shooting from her ears. “One phone call later I’d be released…” I leaned forward as if to kiss her but stopped short. “And I’ll still know where you are.”
“I don’t have time for this.” I set her arm free when she tugged and watched her make for the exit instead of the departure lane. She had only a small bag on her shoulder that couldn’t hold more than a day’s worth of clothing. Whatever reason she had for coming to Six Forks wasn’t something long term, which only intrigued and irritated me more.
I followed her out of the airport and behind the head of my security who was already on her tail. She looked back as if sensing me or just out of pure instinct. When she spotted me, I could make out the curse that fell from her lips as she picked up speed.
When she made a quick detour to a nearby security officer, I gave the signal.
CHAPTER SIX
WILLOW
I WAS STILL reeling from the reality that he had followed me. I willed myself not to be swept up by stupid feelings. I also desperately needed to ignore my pounding heart at the thought that he even bothered to come after me.
I told myself I could have one last look to see if this was my imagination or reality. A quick look over my shoulder showed me this all was very much real as he followed me out of the airport.
Was it completely strange for me to find his stalking hot? And now, he was following me as if he intended to steal me.
But Dash wouldn’t actually take me against my will… would he?
“When it comes to getting exactly what he wants, my brother would do just about anything.”
I recalled the warning Sheldon gave me four years ago. It was one of our last conversations. She had been encouraging me to give Dash a call. I had a moment of weakness and asked about him. Sheldon had taken it as her cue to convince me to talk to him. She said I was only fighting the inevitable, which was a sad waste of time.
“Shit.” I spotted a security officer waiting nearby and headed for him instead of where the buses would be. I could only move but so fast in these godforsaken shoes, so I decided to get his attention another way.
I hesitated long enough to question if I could really get Dash in trouble but soon learned it would cost me. Just as I made my decision, a car that had been sitting idle at the curb moved forward the few feet it took to reach me. The back door opened and a man tall enough to be a building wrapped his arms around my waist as if hugging a loved one and pulled me into the car—all before I could even scream.
My attempt to calm the panic rising was lost when the car pulled away from the curb. I looked out the back window to see if any witnesses had seen what had happened. However, as the car opened the distance between it and my salvation, it became harder to see.