Page 19 of My Favorite Boss

I widened my eyes, looking over his shoulder. “Is that your mother?”

“What?”

He turned fast, letting go of my arm. I attempted to move away, crying out when my ankle protested.

He gripped my arm again. “Funny.”

“The look on your face was.”

“Your ankle is hurt.”

“I twisted it. It’ll be fine. Let me go, and I’ll head home.”

“Where is home?”

I indicated the houses near the edge of the park. “Over there, three streets back.” I shook off his hold. “See you on Monday.”

He shook his head. “Not until I see you walk.”

I rolled my eyes, not holding back. It was Saturday after all, and I was on my own time.

I pushed him away, took in a deep breath, and walked. I held in the groan of pain I felt as I put weight on the ankle, then turned to him. “See? Fine. Now, off you go.” I waved at him in dismissal. “Bye-bye.”

Taking another deep breath, I began the long, slow process of heading home. Maybe I could find a stick to help. I bit my lip to stifle the little whimper just as I was lifted into a set of strong, firm arms.

“What are you doing?”

“Taking you home,” he snapped. “You can barely walk.”

I pushed on his chest. It was akin to pushing on cement. “Put me down.”

“Shut up, Myers.”

“You can’t tell me to shut up.”

“I think I just did.”

“I’m too heavy for you to carry.”

He leaned his head back, laughing. “Whatever. Stop squirming and tell me where to go.”

“I’ll happily tell you where to go,” I responded.

Again, he chuckled. “Be nice, or I’ll drop you in the pond,” he threatened, holding me over the rail as we crossed a small footbridge.

“No!” I grasped his neck in panic.

“Then point me toward your house and be quiet. Your lumberjack-hunting is over for the day.”

Chapter Six

BANE

It was hard to stay annoyed at Myers as I held her. She gave me directions, her voice subdued. Otherwise, she didn’t talk. She felt soft and warm in my arms. Surprisingly right, as if made to curl against me.

Internally, I shook my head at those odd thoughts.

We arrived at an old Victorian place, and she indicated the steps down located behind a row of bushes at the side of the house.