AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No.” He glanced around as though the answer to some unspoken question could be found in the air around us. “I don’t live around here.”
“Oh,” I answered, working hard to dampen the swell of excitement burgeoning in my chest. Walker had just made his first mistake but was too arrogant to realize it yet. “Okay, no problem. Guess I’ll head back to the main road and keep looking.”
“Won’t your satellite navigation help you?” Motioning behind me into the car, his tone was pointed.
“That old thing?” Forcing laughter, I closed the door with my foot, cursing myself for not having the foresight to do so earlier. I didn’t think I’d left anything pertaining to his case on the front seat but couldn’t be certain. “It’s not that useful. It barely keeps up with the road changes.”
“You need an upgrade.” His lips twitched knowingly, the tiny gesture twisting the knot of anxiety throbbing in my belly.
“What about you?” I asked, signaling to his vehicle in a frantic attempt to distract him. “Your car looks newer. Do you have a sat nav that can help?”
“Sure.” Turning to his car, he motioned for me to lead the way. “I’m happy to look for you.”
“Thank you,” I enthused, wishing I’d put my taser in my pocket instead of leaving it in the glove compartment. Heart pounding, I wandered from my sanctuary toward his car.
“Are you looking for a service station?” His expression was serious as he opened the door and slipped into the front seat. “Or somewhere more bohemian?”
“A service station is good, thanks.” I waited as he started the engine and powered up his system, trying to absorb as much information as I could about him, the vehicle and anything else that captured my attention. “I really appreciate this.”
“No problem,” he replied absently. “I’d hate to think of my wife lost out here on her own and I’m sure you have someone who’d worry about you, too.” Turning back to look at me, his silver gaze settled on my left hand, presumably deciding for himself that there was no husband waiting at home before his focus returned to the screen. “It looks as though there’s a service station about fifteen miles from here.” He pointed to the map on his dashboard. “You’ll have to go back to the highway and head south.”
“Fifteen miles,” I repeated, drawing closer and staring at the inside of his car. “Thanks.”
As far as I could see, everything seemed normal, but then why wouldn’t it? However Walker had managed to ensnare Noble this time, there was no suggestion he’d used illegal means. According to her old boss, she’d returned of her own accord.
“Anything else I can help you with?” Shifting to the edge of his seat, the full weight of those gray eyes landed on me, acknowledging how close I’d inched to his car.
“No, I…”
Flustered, I took a step back as he rose to his full height. Since he’d sprung this little diversion on me, I didn’t really have a plan about how I’d handle the proceedings, but looming over him while he sat in his driver’s seat was surely not a good option. Although it wasn’t my style, a little flirtation had never hurt, but I didn’t want to give him the wrong impression. A predator like Walker might take my inch and raise me a mile…
“I’m good, thank you.”
“Well, you’re welcome.” His lips curled. “Have a safe onward journey.”
“Right.” Nodding, I backed toward my car, too worried to turn around.
Leaning on the edge of his car door, he watched my retreat, his expression suggesting he was resisting the urge to laugh. Heart hammering in my chest, I finally reached my vehicle, sliding into its relative shelter and locking the door. What the hell had just happened? Why would Walker approach me unless he knew who I was or at least that something was wrong?
“Stop it,” I complained, throwing my lipstick back into my purse as I switched on the engine. “He doesn’t know anything.”
Even as I maneuvered from the parking space and crawled past him, I knew I was wrong. Walkerdidknow. He might not have understood who I was or what I represented, but he knew a threat when he saw one. He raised one hand as I passed by, offering me that same insincere smile, and unthinkingly, I did the same.
Like it or not, I hadn’t helped myself. Walker was onto me. It was only a matter of time before he put the pieces of the puzzle together.
Chapter Seven
Tiffany
Checking my watch, I hurried from my office and down the corridor. After a long first day, with all the associated nervous energy of meeting new people and getting my bearings, I was all too conscious that my master would be waiting for me, and much though I loved his penances, I wasn’t sure I had the energy tonight.
“Tiffany.”
Halting at a female voice, I spun on my heel to find my boss, Julia, behind me.
“Oh, hi.”
Shifting from one foot to the other, I tried not to overthink how poorly my desire to rush away must look on day one. I had partially explained my reasoning already, telling her I had personal commitments that needed attention after five o’clock. Julia hadn’t asked, assuming I suppose that I had children or someone else to care for, but even so, she might have expected me to stick around on my first day.
