Page 14 of Walking the Edge

If she knew they were in the depths of a New Orleans winter, why didn’t she wear warmer clothes? He waved his jacket at her. “You sure?”

“Positive.” She charged down the sidewalk again, calling back over her shoulder, “Don’t worry about me.”

Mitch pushed his arms into the sleeves and caught up to her without breaking a sweat. “I’m not leaving, so get used to me.”

Cath glanced at him when they reached Jackson Square. “I’m fine, and it’s stupid for you to go out of your way to accompany me. I really do have to be somewhere else now.”

Somewhere she planned to meet his fugitive? “I’ll walk you there.”

“You’re wasting your time, Mr. Guidry.” She wiped the sheen of moisture from her face. “I’m immune to intimidation.”

Oh man, she had this so wrong. His mother had taught him how to be polite and respect others, especially mothers and other females. “That would be counterproductive.”

“Counterproductive?” Her mouth dropped open. “Then why are you standing over me like some ogre?”

“I am taller.” He lifted an eyebrow, daring her to disagree. “Even with your shoes.”

Her blue eyes narrowed. “You’ve been glaring at me.”

Now who was trying to intimidate? He’d wanted to look elsewhere, but once she’d started talking, he’d been entranced.

“You even grabbed me.” She gestured toward the cathedral. “Over there.”

“Next time remind me, and I’ll let you fall on your face. But for your information, since you’ve apparently forgotten, you are the one who started that discussion about my brother.”

“Is the ‘utility company employee’”—she made air quotes—“really your brother?”

Mitch tapped the pocket holding his cell, his gut clenching. He’d left the hospital only after getting Jack to take his place, but he should have a sitrep by now.

“Well?” She gripped the ends of her shawl.

“He’s my brother.” Mitch wanted to wipe the smug look off her face. “So what?”

“Just curious.” She shrugged.

His patience finally pointed to empty. He crossed his arms. “Why don’t I believe that?”

“It’s the truth. Like everything else I’ve told you tonight.” She stopped under a corner streetlight, her shoulders drooping.

She looked so worn out, his gut hurt.

Wait a minute. Bounty hunters weren’t supposed to have feelings. Not on the job. They just needed to execute. If she’d tell him where she was headed and why she wanted to lose him, he could ease up.

She studied him. “Why didn’t you ask me your questions before?”

“Before?”

She huffed a sigh. “When you came running up Royal Street to join the ghost tour.”

He’d have saved himself a lot of grief if he had. “You’d already started your tour. I didn’t think you’d want to air your dirty linen in front of your customers.”

Her pretty mouth dropped open.

Gotcha.

“Let’s make a deal.” She squared her shoulders. “I’ll take one question if you promise to walk away after I answer.”

Mitch waved her offer away. “You lost your chance.”

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