Page 16 of Greed
“What do you mean?”
“Well, there are the few moves you learn in a self-defense class that help you resist an assault, or there is the real Krav Maga—developed by Israel forces and is ruthless, vicious and designed to maim and disable your opponent as quickly as possible.”
She gaped. “Um. I take classes at the Y every Thursday.”
So it was the useless kind, he’d bet. Some hackneyed instructor who’d learned techniques from another hackney instructor, none of them ever seeing real combat or having been a smaller person overcome by a much larger one. All it would take would be one misread situation and it could mean the end of her life.
The thought made him queasy.
Lilo stuck out her chin, lifted her skirt and slipped out a long rod from a strap attached to her thigh. “I also have this.”
He blinked. “Is that a cattle prod?”
“Yes, and I’m not afraid to use it.”
“Wow. Okay.” He took a step back.
“Not on you! But I’m a female crime reporter in Cardinal City. I sometimes have to go to undesirable places on my own. It’s for protection. The point is, I’m not as weak as I look, so you can just put that thought right out of your mind.”
Griffin couldn’t stop the growl rising in the back of his throat. The fact that a woman had to walk around Cardinal City with a weapon to protect herself didn’t sit well. She should be able to walk the streets feeling safe. Lilo should feel safe.
“You’re going to get yourself killed,” he said.
“I’d be happy to give you a demonstration if you don’t believe me.” Her saccharine sweet smile held a hint of tease.
“So you can take care of yourself. Then why were you about to let Doppenger take your story?”
She paled and averted her gaze. “You heard that, huh?”
“It didn’t seem like you were fighting your own battle then.”
“We have history.” She packed away her cattle prod.
“What does he have over you?”
“Pardon?”
“For you to yield to him so often.”
Lilo got out of the vehicle and shut the door. “We used to date. That’s all.”
“But… he’s older than you.”
“Oh, don’t look so surprised. He’s not that much older. Just over ten years and, besides, true love knows no boundaries.”
Griffin frowned. Lilo and that greed-monger? Together? And he still tried to worm his way into her life. “So, was it?”
“Was it what?”
“True love.”
When Lilo cocked her head and contemplated Griffin, he knew he’d overstepped.
Why did he say it? It wasn’t like he cared.
“Never mind,” he added quickly. “It’s not my place to ask. Let’s go.”
As they walked to the entrance, he couldn’t help wondering what had happened to a girl like Lilo to make her the woman she was today. What was it about that family connection that showed her the worst of Cardinal City, yet instead of succumbing to the sin, she fought against it?
