Page 45 of Back in Black

Casting a furtive look around them, he winced. “Bring it down, will you?” He moved closer to explain, “Rumors can get started that way.”

Audrey couldn’t believe his belated concern. “Youstarted them!”

“And I apologized.” He ran a hand through his already rumpled hair. “It’s just . . . well, you sort of took everything in stride—”

“Oh, right.” Sarcasm rippled through her; her ponytail bobbed as she shook her head. “I guess I was supposed to scream in terror and panic?”

He eyed her militant stance.

She wasn’t through. “Maybe I should have collapsed, so you could have thrown me over your shoulder and carried me out like a hero?”

“Maybe.” At her ridiculous description one side of his mouth quirked. “I wouldn’t have minded. But you didn’t need rescuing at all, did you?”

“Neither did you,” she threw back at him. “But I didn’t sling accusations at you because of that.”

“I needed help,” Millie reminded them.

Audrey spared her a glance. She knew Millie wanted to help, but this was too personal.

She hadn’t known Brett long, but what he thought was important to her. “I’m incapable of something so unethical, Brett.”

Appearing regretful, he nodded. “I’m sorry. Again.” He glanced back at the police lights and chaos of investigation. “I hope like hell it was only a prank.”

“Me, too.” Audrey thought of the panic that the threat had caused. “But whether it was or not, it’s still unconscionable.”

“Yeah.” Affectionate once more, Brett again draped his flannel around her. He bent his knees to give her a cajoling smile. “Forgive me?”

She couldn’t quite meet his gaze. “Not much has changed, Brett. You’re still a fighter.” And he’d still misled her.

As if her stubbornness broke him down, he pretended weak knees.

“Come on, girl.” Grinning at her, he straightened again. “At least give me a chance to show you that fighters are nice guys, too.”

Not moving away from his nearness, Audrey slanted him a look. “I don’t know. The way you acted tonight wasn’t very nice.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “You’re right. I guess I’m not used to women taking threats in stride.”

“I’m a tomboy.” She always had been. Panicking was not her m.o. Fixing the issue—that was the course she liked to take whenever possible.

It was also how she’d gotten so involved in WAVS.

“Sexy tomboy,” he said, and then his grin faded. “The thing is, Audrey, I’m not going to be the only one to consider you. You were just at the club to protest the SBC. And the guy who called in the threat said he wanted to take out Drew Black and whatever fighters he could.”

Devastated, Audrey sucked in a breath. “And you thought that wasme?”

“Or a guy working for you.” Shaking his head in apology, he said, “I know how much you dislike him. And thanks to those flyers we handed out, so does everyone who frequents the club.”

“You’re right.” Good God, she could be a prime suspect. Her stomach went queasy. She looked at the officer and thought about going to him now, to get it out of the way. But he was so busy . . .

“It’s cold and it’s rainy,” Brett told her. “Let me take you home.”

Audrey weakened, but she didn’t give in. Not entirely. “Thanks, but it’s been a crazy night. I need some time to think.”

His disappointment showed, but still he opened the car door for her. “No pressure. But Audrey? If you change your mind, I’ll be at Havoc’s gym most days till five.”

And with that, he walked away.

Audrey watched him go with a pang of regret and a wealth of confusion. She understood his allegation; she really did. To most, she’d be a likely suspect. But that didn’t make it any easier.

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