Page 105 of Stealth Mission

He must have followed me to town too.

Across the street. Arms crossed. Looking gigantic and very pissed.

He pushes off from the lamp post and heads my way.

Eeek.

The way he’s looking at me makes me feel like a scolded child.

“You left without telling me.”

Uh. I look around, but there’s nowhere to go. I have a feeling he’d just chase me down and make me listen to him. “You were busy. I didn’t even know where you went, but I wasn’t going to hunt you down and bother you.”

His head tilts. Then it swings side to side. And his lips do that scary thing he does that reminds me of a dog that’s about to bite.

“How am I supposed to protect you if you run off, Marianna?”

“Well.” I fumble for a reply. “I guess that’s kind of hard.”

“Did you talk to the banker?”

The rapidfire change of subject makes my head spin. But it’s the fact that he knows I was going to the bank that sends a chill down my spine.

“How do you know about that?”

He glances down Main Street toward Banco de Karma.

But he doesn’t say anything. Silent and calculating, something dark swirls in his gaze.

“I asked?—”

“I have my contacts.”

The door next to me swings open, sending a rush of air over my skin. Evan strides out with Scout and Peter on his heels.

All of the men look at each other. Not too happy.

I offer a shrug. “Hey guys. Look who showed up.”

Evan immediately moves to my side and rests a hand on my shoulder. It’s a possessive move. “What’s going on here?”

Vik pins Evan with a look. “You got her?”

Some kind of silent man-speak happens. The change in Evan is subtle but it’s there. A tensing that makes him seem to get bigger. “Yeah, I got her.”

“Good. I got some business at the bank.”

Chapter Thirty-Eight

There’s not much to say. Vik stalks off, his long legs and I’m-going-to-kick-some-ass gait eating up the sidewalk.

Peter tips his chin. “See you soon, Marianna. Don’t forget about dinner.”

Marianna waves tiredly, her pain showing now. “Tell Elsa, hello. I’ll be in touch.”

“Let’s get you home.”

“Since you destroyed the truck…” Scout motions to a green Jeep that’s parked across the street. “You’ve got to ride with me.”

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