He threw his head back and laughed.
After a few minutes, he wiped his eyes. “And why would I do that?”
On the spot, I changed what I had intended to say, hoping to leave the big guns for later.
“You fight here. Illegally. You hurt people. I’m sure you don’t want that looked at too closely.”
“Sweetheart,” he said gently, “attention doesn’t bother me.” Beck shrugged. “People come here asking to get hurt, and I doubt anyone cares about a bunch of bikers pounding each other into the ground.”
I watched him closely, but it was obvious he meant what he said.
Fine.
I suppose it was going to be the big guns, after all.
“There was a night, just a few weeks ago,” I said, slower now, watching my words. “A trailer park outside of town. A beat-up truck. A little girl. Any of that ring a bell?”
His expression didn’t change.
But something had sharpened. I could feel it.
“That’s vague.” He stood, moving just the slightest bit closer. “You’re gonna have to do better than that.”
I shuffled back, hoping he didn’t notice. “I heard you were waiting for him.”
Iheardno such thing. Isawit.
Beck studied me for a long time.
Then he smiled. “Rumors travel fast. You really think I’m gonna lose sleep over something youheard?”
“I didn’tjusthear it.” Now it was my turn to smile. “I saw it. Every little bit, until the end.”
Silence stretched.
Beck took a few steps closer. Strangely enough, I didn’t feel threatened, but I let my hand drift into my pocket and grip my pepper spray, nonetheless.
“And yet,” he murmured, “you walked in here alone, knowing that I have no qualms about ending someone if I think it’s necessary.”
I didn’t answer, but I was unable to prevent myself from taking the slightest step back.
He laughed again, low and appreciative at my action. “Jesus, you’re fun!”
“That’s not an answer,” I said, starting to get annoyed, despite myself, with his amusement. This wasn’t going the way I’d anticipated.
He observed me for a few moments, eyes bright now—not predatory. Interested. What the hell was wrong with this guy?
“I’ll take the hit,” he said finally. “Not because you’ve scared me.”
“Then why?”
“Because you walked into my world as if you belonged. And because you didn’t show any fear, even after what you—” he grinned. “—allegedlysaw.”
I kept my expression neutral even as my heart raced with excitement. Everything was falling into place.
“Careful, Fox,” he winked. “You keep playing games like this, and I just might decide to keep you.”
My mouth fell open slightly. This man was obviously a few fries short of a Happy Meal. If it weren’t so essential to keep Benfrom finding out about the test, I’d cut my losses and forget this whole thing.
