She actually didn’t know what he was doing. Probably protecting his boss’s interests and checking her out for some sort of security file. Whatever it was, she didn’t like it. Didn’t appreciate the way it made her feel as the action robbed her of both control and privacy.
One of his hands lifted before settling back on the wheel again. “I’m sitting in a car on a street in the city I live in.”
So smooth. She fought the temptation to smash his side mirror. “Look, if you want to do this dance, we will.”
This time he frowned. “Excuse me?”
“You follow me. I’ll follow you.” She liked the idea as soon as it left her mouth.
“You think you’re going to—”
“Exactly.” She’d bet he’d hate that, which made her warm to the idea even more. “Eventually, you’ll lead me back to Wren, so let’s go.”
His frown hadn’t eased. “Do you even have a car?”
“Is that the point?” It kind of was a big downside to her follow-him plan.
“I think you’re a little confused about what’s happening here.”
“You’re watching me for him.” She felt more secure with every sentence. This guy—Brian or whatever was written on his coffee cup—didn’t make any move to hurt her. She could see inside his car and didn’t spot a weapon. He’d even toned down his threats. So far. “I get it. I asked around about Mr. Mysterious and it ticked him off.”
“This is fascinating.”
Man, some of the stuff he said made her want to punch him. “You know what?”
That almost-smile came roaring back. “I’m sure you’re about to tell me.”
“I don’t care if he’s pissed.” She tapped the end of the bat into her palm. Not hard enough to sting, but with enough oomph to make a noise. “He should stop hiding behind you and come out and talk to me.”
“You think he’s a coward?” The guy choked on the last word.
Sure, why not? “That’s right.”
“If he is as dangerous as you say then—”
“I called him mysterious.” Everyone else called Wren dangerous. She was desperately trying to ignore that point as well as the honking from the guy who pulled up next to her and clearly wanted this parking space. She finally motioned for him to move on. When she looked back to this Brian guy all traces of amusement had disappeared from his face.
“Men who stay out of the spotlight do so for a reason,” he said in a deeper, more serious voice.
“You have a tendency to talk in boring riddles.” She glared at him. “It’s annoying.”
“Then let me try this—” His fingers tightened on the wheel. “Back off.”
Not quite what she expected, but okay. “I’m the one with the bat.”
“I’m not even going to comment on how little that matters to me.”
She remembered his weight and height advantage and shot a quick glance in the couple’s direction nearby. Still there. That renewed her confidence a bit. “You’re at my house.”
He lifted both hands. “I’m sitting in a car.”
“Say that again and I’m slamming this bat against the hood of your car.”
He dropped his hands and the heel of one hit the wheel with a thud. “That would not be wise.”
She stopped just before delivering an eye roll. “Talk like a normal person.”
“Don’t. Do. It.”
Well, that was clearer. An edge moved into his voice. Turned out he was human after all. So was she. “Don’t tempt me.”
“I was just about to say the same thing to you.”
The tone . . . something sounded different right then. She let the bat rest in her palm. “What?”
He reached down and turned on the car. “We’ll see each other soon.”
She didn’t hate that idea. She hated that she didn’t hate it. “I’m thinking you’re not listening to me.”
“The feeling is mutual.” He hit the gas but the car was in park, so the engine just revved.
“Is that supposed to impress me?”
“I’m listening to you. Following your instructions.” He leaned closer to her. “That is the impressive part here. You just don’t know it yet.”
“I don’t get you.”
“You will.” He motioned for her to back up and then he guided the car out of the space. Closed the window as he drove away.
“You go, sweetie!”
At the sound of the female voice, Emery tore her gaze away from the car’s taillights and glanced at the couple who had silently been watching over her. They were cheering her on. She raised the bat in salute. “Damn straight.”
She was halfway across the street before she realized the car Wren’s man drove didn’t have a license plate. That had to be a bad sign.
Wren drove around the corner and put the car in park. He waited, half expecting Emery to run after him swinging that bat. When she didn’t he was almost disappointed.