“Someone might be robbing the Emporium again,” I said to him. I agreed to whatever Miss Tasha was saying and hung up. “I have to go. I’m sorry, Neil.”
“Wait, Seb.” He took my arm and pulled me back as I started to move past him.
“Wait forwhat, Neil? For some piece of shit to clean out my place of business? I have to get back there!”
“You don’t know what the situation is,” Neil said firmly. “You don’t know if there’s one suspect or twelve—if they’re armed with a putty knife or a rifle. Is your security company calling the police?”
“Yes.”
“Then stay put.”
“Like hell I am.” I yanked my arm free.
“Sebastian.” Neil made a quick movement and cut me off. “Since when have reckless choices gotten you anywhere but in trouble?”
“Well, unlessyouplan on arresting me, I’m going.” I took a step to the left, but Neil matched it. “I’m not sticking around for a goddamn dance, Neil. Move.”
“What if whoever is there hurts you, Sebastian?”
“Then I’m shit out of luck.”
“Don’t do that to Winter.”
I paused and looked up at Neil.
“If he’s treating you right, then you damn well better be doing the same for him. Don’t go being an idiot, running headfirst into danger and considering the consequences of it later.” He let out a breath that somehow managed to have a tone, then tilted his head toward the side of the road. “I’ll drive.”
“But—you just—”
“Are you a cop?”
“No.”
“Are you armed?”
“No.”
“I’m both. Get in.” Neil walked to the edge of the sidewalk and opened the passenger door to his car.
I didn’t have to be told twice. I quickly climbed in and shut the door as Neil walked around the front and slid into the driver’s seat. He merged into uptown traffic, made the next available left, and turned to head back downtown on Second Avenue.
“No way that it might be Max?” he eventually asked.
“He’d never go inside without me.”
“Why don’t you give him a call. Rule him out.” Neil slammed on the brakes when a taxi cut him off. “Stupid son of a….”
I chose Max in my contacts and put the phone to my ear.
“Hi-de-ho, boss,” Max answered. “Make it fast, I’m about to go into a tunnel.”
“You’re not at the Emporium?”
“No?” He sounded confused. “I’m on my way—” The line cut when signal was lost.
I lowered my phone. “He’s on the subway.”
“And it wouldn’t be your father?”
