Page 12 of Speak No Evil

Staying with the car was the safest thing she could do, what he wanted her to do. But he also didn’t want to hang around any longer than necessary. He met her at the rear of the Jeep and lowered his voice. “We need to stay in the shadows. We don’t know what or who we’re dealing with here.”

With no sidewalk or curb, she clutched his arm, pressing so close he again caught the floral scent of her soap or bath powder. The intimacy that scent evoked made his blood race. He stared ahead, squelching those urges and held aside a branch for her to go first. “After what happened in the city, we need to be suspicious of anything out of the ordinary.”

She clung to his arm again. “You think they’re related?”

“I don’t know, but it’s prudent to be careful.” He stopped as the lights on the second floor of her house came into view. He took her hand. “Crouch down. We’ll creep up but not too close. Look across the intersection and into the bushes. There’s a solid black bulk.”

They crept closer, hiding in the shadow of a tall oak. He caught the gleam of a hubcap now. “He’s got a New York plate.” Will squinted but the shrubbery made the plate number indiscernible. “I’m going closer.”

“I’m going back.” She let go of him and spun around.

He glanced back at the big SUV then followed her. Staying with her was more important than getting a plate, which he couldn’t do if he had an encounter with anyone inside the car. When he caught up to her, he said. “You’re right. We need to leave.”

She dashed the last twenty feet and, as soon as he clicked the doors open, climbed in immediately.

“You okay?”

“Freaked out.” She laughed. “Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize.” He started the engine. “I think anyone would. This is creepy.”

“I’m going to call the cops.” She lifted her tote.

“Good idea. But I wouldn’t be surprised if they find nobody here.”

She pulled a band out of her pocket and caught her hair in a stubby ponytail before retrieving her phone. “W-Why?”

“It’s just a feeling, Gwen. I don’t know any more than you do, believe me. If, and that’s a big if, this guy is waiting for you, he knows where you live and can come back any time he wants.”

She stiffened. “Are you sure? We didn’t stop. I didn’t get out. We merely drove past, and there’s no reason he would know to be watching for your Jeep. Nobody followed us from the city, right?”

He nodded.

“Since I’m sitting in the passenger seat, I doubt he would have seen me. Especially, since it’s dark. He probably doesn’t even know what I look like.”

“You sure about that? He might have seen you somewhere that you didn’t notice.”

“Don’t say that.” She sagged against the seat. “I’ve been worrying whether that’s true about the creep who followed us earlier.” She straightened suddenly. “You realize someone could come after you because you were seen with me?”

“I can defend myself.”

“I have no doubt about that, Will.” Her gaze found his for a long second. “But it’s my fault you’re involved in this mess, whatever it is, to start with.”

Her look sparked something hot inside him, but he ignored his reaction. Now was not the time. “This situation is no-fault.” He faced her. “You are not to blame. I take full responsibility for coming with you.” Protecting you.

He reached across the console to squeeze her hand, but she slipped out of his hold and looked out the rear window at the quiet, dark street. Sweat glistened above her pretty brows, and the air in the car stretched tight like a rubber band. “I cannot believe someone is watching my apartment. This isn’t just some guy getting kicks from following me around the city. That’s almost understandable because New York is one of the world’s biggest cities, but Thornwood is a quiet suburb.”

Gwen swiped at her cheeks. Her cell phone slipped off her lap onto the floorboards.

Was she crying? Will pushed back his seat and reached for her. “Come here.”

He lifted her and cradled her in his lap. She rested her head on his shoulder. He smoothed back the lock of soft hair that had escaped her pony tail. “Hey, don’t let the situation get to you.”

“Easy for you to say. It’s not your apartment that’s being watched,” she protested, her voice muffled against his shirt collar.

He pulled her closer, loving the feel of her against his body. His pulse revved, and his body tightened. He should let go and lift her back to her seat, but he wanted to hold her, wanted to soothe her.

She got to him all right, but good.

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