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“Did you expect him to be?”
“I expected worse. I think he thought about shooting me when he noticed the ring. What about you?”
“Worse is only a matter of time.”
The answer bothered him. It shouldn’t. Not a bit. His attachment to her life was temporary. And yet, against his better judgment he heard himself asking her to explain. She was quiet so long, her face turned toward the window, he thought she might let him off the hook. He should’ve known better.
“The text messages will start flooding in as soon as J.C. has a chance to talk to my mom and sisters.” She sighed, giving the ring another twist around her long, slim finger. “It’s not the kind of news he’ll share over the phone.”
“But they’ll text you about it?”
Her shoulder hitched in a disinterested shrug. “Getting engaged isn’t news to me, is it?”
“Not today.” He was far too pleased that his joke made her laugh a little.
“They all know a text message is the easiest way to reach me. The only way to reach me while I’m away with you.”
“Would your brother try to use your phone to track you?”
She sat up straight, her expression first shocked and then her eyes narrowed in speculation. “He better not. The one thing I’m hoping is that this whole mess teaches my family I’m capable of taking care of myself.”
This whole mess. He’d never been lumped into that kind of phrase. Not within his hearing anyway. It wasn’t the most flattering of descriptions, but he had to admit it was completely accurate under the circumstances. He hadn’t considered any of the fallout for her. Could he be any more of a jerk?
“Come Monday, when this is behind us, I can help you explain things to your family.”
“You too?”
“Me too what?” Confused and baffled by the irritation in her voice, he slid her a look.
“What I do not need,” she began, “is one more person unable to believe I can handle my life on my own.”
“That’s not what—”
“Are you expecting me to lose my voice as we gather evidence against Lester?”
He could only wish.
“Are you expecting me to get killed?”
God no. “Of course not.”
“Then let me, the big girl, handle my family. I’ve known them longer than you. Is that clear?”
If he hadn’t been driving, he might have raised his hands in surrender. “As crystal.”
“What have you told your family?”
“My family doesn’t exist.”
“Handsome as you are, it’s not possible you were hatched.”
What? “Pardon?” The woman could twist a conversation faster than anyone he’d met.
“Hatched. As in the Helen of Troy myth.”
“Thanks?” He thought she meant it as a compliment. “But applying handsome to me is stretching the definition.”
“You’re just used to your reflection.”
