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His lips turned up into a grin as he glanced over her and put the car in gear. Driving from the parking lot, he turned onto the interstate that led back to the main street of Somerset before flicking her another look.
“Be careful, Crista. ” He finally sighed. “You know, we call him Dawg for a reason, right?”
The gentleness in his voice had her hackles rising. She could feel the judgment in his tone and she didn’t like it. She wasn’t a child anymore, and she had endured enough lectures eight years before. She didn’t need any more.
“Because he’s stubborn?” she batted at him sweetly. “Come on, Johnny, I’m a big girl here. I can handle Dawg. ”
She heard lightning struck in cases of whopper lies like that one. She looked up at the clear blue sky. Not a cloud in sight, thank God.
Johnny only chuckled. “So, did he bring along the rest of the team, or was he solo?”
She nearly gaped back at him. “That’s a rude question, Johnny. ” And it made her more nervous, more uncertain, and even more aware of the enmity that existed between Johnny and Dawg. Leaving with Johnny hadn’t been a good idea.
“And entirely qualified. ” Johnny rolled his eyes. “Darling, despite Kelly’s determination to hold out, its more than obvious those three have been working her for years. They saved her for Rowdy, and he will share her eventually. It’s a delicate little seduction technique they use. How delicate the seduction determines how serious they are about the prey. ”
“Oh Lord, you make them sound like wolves. ”
“Very well-bred wolves, I’m certain. ” Johnny laughed. “And you didn’t answer my question. ”
“Dawg was traveling alone that night,” she assured him. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been with him. ” Was that a cloud overhead? A rumble of thunder maybe?
Okay, no thunder. But there were two Harleys behind them, the smooth rumble of their motors reminding her of Alex.
“Interesting,” Johnny murmured as he flicked on the turn signal and pulled into the turn lane to head into the smaller road that led into the old center of the city.
“Just interesting?” She smothered a yawn, wishing he would hurry.
“Dawg never seemed the possessive sort to me. ” Johnny shrugged. “But as I said, it’s usually a seduction technique. He has any number of interesting games he’s played over the years. He does give the family plenty to gossip over. ”
Suddenly, being here just didn’t feel right. It was obvious that despite their familial connection that Johnny liked Dawg even less than he claimed Dawg liked him. Not that she figured the whole family feud thing was any of her business, but right now, it paid to be just a little wary of Dawg.
“And we’re definitely in trouble,” Johnny suddenly claimed morosely, his lips pursing into a pout as he glanced at the rearview mirror.
Crista twisted around in the seat, her eyes widened, then she flopped forward again and crossed her arms over her breasts.
Dawg and Natches were riding behind the car like denim-clad motorized warriors. Their expressions were stony, and the smile Dawg had flashed her was anything but friendly. It reminded her of a shark.
“Just drop me off in front of the diner, Johnny. ” She sighed. “I’ll be okay there. ”
“Are you sure?” A delicate frown formed between his brows. “I feel a little funny just leaving you with him like this. Dawg isn’t always predictable. ”
She snorted. That was an understatement if she ever heard one.
“I can handle Dawg. ” She hoped.
She waited as Johnny pulled to the curb several minutes later and stopped the car. She didn’t give him time to say anything. She stepped quickly from the car, slammed the door, and then turned her back on all of them and moved for the narrow alley that led to the back lot.
Dawg was right behind her, and so was Natches. Opening her purse, she pulled her keys free, refusing to glance around. He had no right to intimidate her. And if she let him keep doing it, then it would never stop.
As she reached her car and unlocked it, she turned back then, lifting her brows at the two men watching her with equally fierce expressions from the motorcycles that pulled in behind her little red Rodeo.
Déjà vu. She wondered if she would end up leaving with her car this time.
The engines were cut, leaving the parking lot strangely silent, as though even the breeze itself were wondering what they would do now.
“I see you’ve been out having fun. ” She flicked a glance to the motorcycles.
“Get on. ” Dawg jerked his head to the side, indicating the back of the motorcycle.
