Page 44 of Positively Pricked
Chapter 14
In unison, the guard and I turned to look.
I spotted Zane, standing a few paces away. He was wearing dark pants, a dark jacket, and an expression so dark that I instinctively backed up.
But I had no room. My butt hit the side of my car, and my keys slipped from my fingers and clattered to the pavement.
I didn't even look down, and neither did the guard. Both of us were still staring at Zane, who eyed the guard with cold contempt.
The guard practically gulped, "Mister Bennington."
Zane said nothing, but his look said it all. He wasnotpleased.
The guard looked to me and said, "Mister Bennington's right. You should probably get going."
Zane spoke again. "No. Not her.You."
The guard's eyebrows furrowed. He looked to Zane and said, "But I've got two hours left on my shift."
Zane's expression didn't change. "Not my problem."
It seemed a funny thing to say. After all, itwouldbe Zane's problem if there was no one around to let people in or out of his neighborhood.
Wouldn’t it?
The guard tried again. "But—"
"But nothing," Zane said. "Get the fuck out.Now."
The guard turned accusing eyes on me. "This isyourfault."
I almost laughed in his face. "Myfault?"
Okay, maybe the guy did have a point. After all, Zane had decided to fire him nearly an hour ago, thanks to my careless confession on his front lawn. But there was no way the guard could know that.
So, why was he blamingme?
And seriously, what did he expect? He'd just been caught red-handed, away from his station, putting the moves on someone who obviously wasn't interested.
It's not like I put a gun to his head.
The guard turned back to Zane and said, "But I was just escorting her to her car. It's in my job-description. She asked me to." He turned back to me and urged, "Go on. Tell him."
What a total crock.
I made a scoffing sound. "No way."
He gave me a pleading look. "Why not?"
"Because it's a lie."
The guard leaned closer and said in a low whisper, "C'mon. Help a guy out, will ya?"
Like the sap I was, I almost wanted to say yes. I liked helping people. And I hated Zane Bennington. But evenIknew that lying for the guy would be a huge mistake, especially if I cared one bit for whatever random female crossed his path next.
Besides, from what I knew of Zane, lying for the guy wouldn't do a lick of good, anyway.
I crossed my arms. "No."
