Page 70 of The Shadows We Keep

I turn slowly to meet his eyes, letting my annoyance show. I should have known better.

When has running from this man ever gotten me what I wanted?

“You’re not making me meet with these people who have been watching me, Harkin. What if they have some sinister motive? What if you’re leading me to my slaughter? Come on, use your fucking head!” I bite out.

I thought this man was supposed to be smart.

His body slinks back against the other door, taking me in as my temper gets the best of me—as it usually does.

“Are you done?” he asks with a smirk. “What did I tell you?” He pauses, waiting for my answer that doesn’t come.

Shaking his head he says, “Over my dead body would I ever put you in a situation for something to happen. I don’t trust these people. But I need you to be close. If it’s something inconsequential you come in, we figure it out and move on. No more worries of these men following you.”

“And if it’s not?” I ask worriedly.

“Well, then I know where you are. I get all the information out of them and then we figure out our next move.”

“Seems to me like I could have just gone home, and you could have monitored me with that fancy hidden camera you refuse to remove from my room,” I sass.

He looks unimpressed by my suggestion.

“It’s too late now. I have to be there in ten minutes. These aren’t the kind of men you keep waiting.” He hurries into the driver’s seat, starting the car and blasting the heat.

I don’t make to move up front. The fool interrupted my sleep schedule. Stretching my legs out across the bench seat, I slip down, cozying into my puffy parka.

Harkin looks back at me and smiles.

The SUV pulls upto a nondescript brick building at the edge of town. Vast windows face the parking lot. The ones that aren’t busted out look coated in grime and years of dust, blocking a view of the inside. Empty pallets and other discarded items line the edges. The building looks deserted, the perfect place for a sketchy meet up.

“Okay, stay here. Don’t get out of the car and don’t leave. The windows on this SUV are tinted so dark, that even with a nose pressed to the glass they won’t be able to see in. They won’t know you’re here unless you show yourself. Got it?” he asks, staring at me through the rearview mirror.

I huff at his insulting directions.

Again, could have just let me go home and we wouldn’t have to worry about them finding me, sitting a hundred feet from the building.

Harkin whips around in his seat when I don’t answer. “Keira.”

That one word’s laced with seriousness, but it’s the air of concern around him that finally makes me fold.

“Yeah, I got it.”

He nods, trusting me enough to listen to him this time.

Although, history shows I’m not one to follow directions. He leans over popping the glove box open, pulling out a gun and two mags, checking to make sure they’re loaded. Quickly loading one into place, he turns back to me handing the two pieces over.

“Do you know how to use this?”

I wrap my hand around the cold metal, cocking it to load a bullet into the chamber and checking the side to make sure the safety is in place. I slide the extra mag in my pocket.

“You know Glock makes a better concealed carry 9mm, right?”

“I’ll take that as a yes, then.” He laughs.

“What about you?” I ask, wondering if he should take this with him instead.

“Don’t worry about me, little one. I much prefer my blades to bullets, but even I know when not to bring a knife to a gunfight.” He smirks. “Stay here. Don’t open the doors for anyone. I’ll be back.”

His long strides cross the wet pavement quickly. When he approaches the building, he doesn’t slow, disappearing through an open passage where a door once hung.

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