Page 59 of Hidden Chance

“Stew.”

“Stew?”

“Yeah. I love stew.”

The elevator opened, and she hurried off with Pike close behind.

“Hey, slow down. What’s the rush?”

“Sorry.” She slowed. “I just want to get home.”

“I’m sorry you had to go through that. I can see you’re really rattled, but guys like that are often all bark and no bite. Although, I’m not gonna lie. I kind of wish he would try something. I wouldn’t mind taking a swing at him.”

Hannah wouldn’t have minded him doing it either. Pike wouldn’t stand a chance in a fight against Robby. He was a little taller, but Robby had all the skill.

“A brawl at the office, huh? That would certainly get HR’s attention.”

“We’re not in the office now. I’d have a lot more leeway out here.”

She smiled and let him think it was for him. “My car’s around the block. You don’t have to go all the way out there.”

“It will put my mind at ease.”

She endured more small talk until she was close enough to push the button and unlock the doors. “That’s me. And there’s no Robby. I’ll see you Monday.”

“Hey.” He took her arm to stop her. She wanted to shrink away from his touch but controlled herself. Just afew more seconds and she’d be free. “You look after yourself, okay?”

“I will.”

“And remember?—”

“If I need anything, I’ll call.”

He smiled, then leaned in and kissed her cheek. Thank goodness he couldn’t see her grimace. “Sweet dreams.”

“Bye.” She hurried to her car and drove out of the parking lot as fast as she could without looking suspicious. She didn’t know how she’d be able to return to the office. Turning Pike down for his advances was one thing, but knowing he was connected to Burma made her a little afraid of him. If he was capable of that, what else was he capable of?

Chapter 15

Hannah scannedthe streets as she drove, looking for any sign of Robby. A car behind her turned with her several times, but on the next left, it went straight. He must know how to find her outside of the office, but she was worried he wouldn’t contact her until after the weekend. With everything that had happened, all she wanted was someone to talk to. And by someone, she meant Robby. He could help make sense of everything, and with the way Pike had said goodbye, she needed someone around who she felt safe with. Despite being knocked out and kidnapped by Robby, he was the only person she trusted right now.

When she parked on the street near her house, the figure on her porch startled her at first until she recognized who it was and smiled with a mix of relief and elation.

After pulling the groceries from her back seat, shestifled the grin as she climbed the steps. “You look cold. How long have you been out here?”

“Not long. I left right after you did. Wondered what took you so long, but now I see you made a stop on the way.”

“I realized halfway home that I didn’t have any food.”

“I tried to meet you at your car in the city.”

“Ah.”

“I take it Pike insisted.”

“I tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. I was afraid to push too hard. Thought it would be better to give in so I could get home.”

Robby took the bag of groceries so she could unlock the door. “I want you to know I was there, waiting until you were safe.”

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