Page 12 of Silk and Steel

“None taken. I served on the same SEAL team with the warden’s son. He agreed to let me come and poke around a little.”

I chuckle, and he gives me a look.

“Why is that funny?”

I hold up my hand quickly.

“Oh, um, it’s not funny ha ha, just funny peculiar that someone in your line of work also networks. I network all the time. It’s how I get most of my gigs.”

I realize I’m rambling and shut up. Damn, he is so, so very good-looking. I’m not sure if I want all that intensity directed at me twenty-four hours a day…but I’d kind of like to find out.

“How long have you been a civilian?”

“Not long.”

“That explains a lot.”

A deep frown etches itself on Cole’s face, but he doesn't look my way or speak. Great, I’ve offended the award-winning SEAL responsible for my life. I try to think of something else to say, but nothing sounds any better in my head. I wind up just sitting there in silence while we roll out of downtown.

I guess the silence is getting to Cole too, because after a while he turns to me and arches his brows.

“Would you like to turn on the radio? I have satellite, no commercials. The dashboard tablet will let you find whatever you want to listen to.”

“Yeah, okay.”

I shuffle through the various genre stations, glancing over at him.

“Do you have any objections to pop?”

“No, not really.”

“What kind of music do you like?”

“Whatever.”

Okay, he asked for it. I put on the dance pop station, and the first thing that comes on is Boys R Us’ new song, The Pledge.

If the music bothers Cole, he gives no sign. I sing along to the song, because in my mind I’m working on a simulation of the choreography. I really hope that TJ pulls it together, because if not we’ll have our work cut out for us.

Cole is lost in his own head. I kind of want to get to know him better, but I don’t want to bother him. His intensity breeds a certain caution inside of me.

Part of my mind is still practical. It admonishes me for worrying about Cole when Julian could be lurking around any corner. I start craning my neck to look behind us. It’s hard to see the other drivers clearly. Any one of them could be Julian or his accomplices, trailing behind us.

“What are you doing?” Cole asks.

“I guess I’m worried that we’re being followed.”

“Oh. That’s not how you go about it.”

I turn to face him and frown.

“I’m not supposed to look?”

“Not like that. If there is someone following you, they’ll know that you’re suspicious. You check the rearview and the side view mirrors instead.”

I check the mirrors like he says. It’s a little easier to see the drivers this way, but I still can’t make much detail out.

“I still can’t see much.”

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