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“If you can, keep the headlights off. Hopefully they’ll head the other way. We can swing around on this backroad and then head in the right direction. I’m afraid Gertrude is going to cop an attitude.”
“Gertrude?”
“Yeah, the nav unit. She gets pissy when you don’t go where she wants. Once we’re on the main highway and headed where she wants to go, she’ll be fine.”
Putting the pedal to the metal, he laughed. “I’m not sure I’ve ever had this much fun trying to outrun people trying to kill me.”
She leaned back in her seat, perfectly relaxed. “Stick with me, Fletch. I can show you a real good time.”
Of that, he had no doubt.
As much as he wanted to focus on her and make sure she was all right, he knew his job at this particular moment in time was to keep them on the road and out of the hands of whoever was trying to kill them. The leading contenders were Benito Petacci, the patriarch of the family; Sir Godfrey Robbins, who was terrified of something Claire knew; and Emil Franklin, the mysterious Swiss banker. Plenty of time to figure out who it was and neutralize the threat once he had her safe.
“See anything?” he asked.
“Not so far, but they could be keeping their headlights off as well. If they were as far behind us as I think, we may have gotten away clean.”
“Let’s not count on that. They didn’t use vehicles to get to your millhouse. We have no idea where they parked. Keep using the mirrors to check.”
“You do know it’s too bloody dark to see anything, right?”
“Yeah, but it makes me feel better to know you’re doing it.”
Fletch floored the SUV, trying to get more speed. He was already doing eighty, which on these backroads with no headlights and no moon or stars seemed to be about the limit he could push. If he missed a turn or rolled the vehicle, he could kill them both.
He flexed his fingers around the steering wheel, tightening his grip.Not on my watch. He pushed for a little more speed, careening down the road. He needed to get them up on the highway. On these deserted backroads, there was no one who might see them, no bored cop looking to make a name for himself. It was just him and Claire; her life and future in his hands, and he meant to keep her safe.
“For what it’s worth, Fletch?”
“Yeah?”
“When I think of all the men I’ve ever known, you’re the only one for whom I would have ever considered walking away from my legacy.”
“Your grandfather didn’t leave you with a legacy; he left you with a damn millstone around your neck. What is it Sir Godfrey is afraid of?”
“Oh, that’s a long and tawdry story. If we make it through the night, you can buy me breakfast at the Savoy, and I’ll tell you all about it.”
“Where’s the damn necklace, Claire?”
“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said in a voice dripping with feigned innocence.
Fletch snorted. “Yeah, we’re going to have a long talk about that, as well.”
“You actually want to talk to me? And here I thought all you wanted to do was fuck.”
He hazarded a glance in her direction and relaxed as he saw her grinning at him. She really was enjoying herself. “I can multi-task. How far are we from the main highway.”
“Less than a mile. The road flows right onto the access road and then up onto the highway.”
“My guess is if they have given chase, they’re going to want to avoid those traffic cameras.”
“Left here and then Gertrude should stop ‘course correcting’ and get us to your safehouse. Any chance we can stop for a burger? I had to leave my pizza behind and I’m hungry.”
Fletch sneaked another glance. She really was having a good time and it turned him on in a way nothing else had. She was baiting him—just for the fun of it. Well, two could play.
“I have to tell you the only decent burger in London is at the Savoy, but if we make it to the safehouse in one piece, I will personally grill you a burger that’ll knock your socks off.”
“Can I have cheese?”
