Page 44 of Back in Black

Millie gave Audrey aDo somethinglook. In a hiss, she said, “The night should not end this way.”

No, it shouldn’t. She had a few things to say to Mr. Brett Bullman. Pushing to her feet, Audrey faced him. “You played me for a fool.”

“No, I just hedged my bets.” He glanced up at the sky, then pulled off his flannel and put it around her. “Doesn’t matter now, though, does it?” He started them toward the car.

Hesounded hurt? But he was the one who’d duped her! And why walk her to the car now? He had to know she wasn’t going home with him. Not now, not ever.

A little voice inside herself suggested that maybe there were things about Brett that were true—like the protective instincts she’d witnessed tonight.

Audrey started to doubt herself.

Until Brett suddenly said, “You weren’t too worried about a bomb, were you, Audrey?”

“What?” She stalled, but Brett kept her moving until they were close to the car.

Looking suspicious, and disgruntled because of it, he used his hold on her arm to turn her to face him. “As I recall, you were more intent on ogling Gregor than on getting out of the building.”

She inflated with umbrage.

Yanking herself free of Brett’s hold, she squared her shoulders and stared him in the eyes. “Are you accusing me of something?”

Shoving his hands into his pockets, Brett shrugged. Audrey thought he looked cold, standing there in the damp wind in only a T-shirt. But he didn’t shiver, he just kept his arms closer to his body, his shoulders slightly lifted.

The wind plastered his shirt to his body, showing off wide shoulders and a solid chest.

Not that she cared about any of that.

His jaw tightened. “Got any men in your organization?”

“Why?” Never would she back down against a slur to her reputation. “No, wait, let me guess. Did a man call in the threat?”

“Are you out of your mind?” Millie finally caught on to Brett’s accusations. “You actually think that Audrey placed a bomb threat? Good Lord, you don’t know her at all, do you? Audrey would never do such a thing.” She harrumphed. “And to think I was defending you!”

Brett didn’t look at Millie; his attention stayed focused on Audrey. “Is that a yes or a no?”

Movements stiff with anger, Audrey peeled off his flannel and threw it at him. “There are no men taking an active role in WAVS.”

Millie scoffed at him. “The name ought to tell you that. It’sWomenAgainst Violent Sports.”

“But,” Audrey said, interrupting her, “in case you want to accuse them, we have been backed by male senators and state representatives, and plenty of supportive men have given us cash donations for printing literature about the sport—literature thatyouhelped to disperse underfalse interest.”

He dared to laugh, mocking her. “I thought I was pretty damned clear about my interest. And at least I was willing to listen to another opinion, which is more than you can say, right?”

“You didn’t give me a chance!”

“Come on, Audrey. What you thought of fighters was pretty clear. What was it Millie called us? Brutal specimens?”

Millie flushed. “I, ah . . .”

“I figured if you knew I was a fighter, you wouldn’t give me the time of day. And I was right, wasn’t I? The second you found out, you were pissed.”

Oh, no. She would not let him turn this around on her. “Becauseyoudidn’t tell me.” Audrey’s voice dropped, and she couldn’t hide the resentment. “I had to find out from your friends. Do you know how stupid that makes me feel?”

His brows pulled down more. He drew a breath. “I’m sorry,” he said on an exhalation.

Millie softened.

Audrey wasn’t so quick. Too much had happened today for a simple “I’m sorry” to make a dent. “For what, Brett? Not telling me that you’re a fighter? Or for accusing me of sending a bomb threat?”

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