Page 82 of Spurred On

His features locked. The tip of his nose quivered. The muscle in his cheek bunched. “No. No. Not her.”

“Yep.”

“Did she really threaten you?”

“Pretty much.”

“What did she say?”

“Just a friendly warning. Keep away from Cody Silver,” she repeated in a slithery voice.

“Shit. That does sound like a warning.”

“Yup.”

He frowned at her. “So, why are you grinning?”

“Because, my darling, you are the one who should be warned.”

“Shit. Shit shit shit.”

She toasted her coffee to him.

“You have to help me,” he said.

“Oh, there’s no help for you. Tibby wants you and everyone knows, Tibby gets what Tibby wants.”

“No, seriously. You have to help me.”

“And how exactly do I do that?”

“Protect me!”

“Protect you?” It was damn hard holding back a laugh.

“Yes!”

“Big bad Cody needs a bodyguard.” Despite her best efforts, a snicker slipped out.

“It’s not funny. I kind of do.”

“Why don’t you just find her a boyfriend? I have it on good authority that you have lots of horny friends.”

He looked appalled. “I would never do that to any of my friends.”

“Is there someone you don’t particularly like?”

He frowned. “That’s not very nice. Besides . . .”

“Besides what?”

“Karma.”

“Karma is a bitch.”

“I know. And I don’t want that cosmic rubber band coming back to smack me upside the head.”

“We’ll have to think of another plan then,” she said.