Page 46 of Tabitha

Because that would mean…he’s interested in me?

I grimace at the thought. Thankfully, before I can make a fool of myself, Banks chuckles and digs the keys out of his pocket, then holds them out for me. “Sure.”

I’m sure I’m missing some nuance. I don’t understand his amusement and suspect he’s making fun of me, but I accept the key, anyway. As I round the car, I look at him, only to find him still grinning.

Weird man.

I get behind the wheel of the Ford Mustang GT. It’s a bright rust orange color that draws the eye. As I slip behind the wheel, the leather seats hug my form, the new vehicle smell filling my lungs. While I normally don’t care for Fords, even I can admit that the GT is a beauty.

I grimace and toss the key fob in the cup holder, then press the start button.

What was wrong with a good key ignition?

I drop the car into gear, then crank on the wheel and stomp on the gas. The reaction time is beautiful, and I’m smiling as the car whips out onto the road and does a complete three-sixty. I don’t even wait for the car to straighten before I’m shifting gears and flying down the road, laughing when I see two men curse and leap out of the way.

“You’re good,” Banks comments, more appreciation in his voice than reprimand.

I look over at him, almost having forgotten about him as I take a curve a little too fast, and smirk. “I’m better than good.”

He just smiles and leans back in his seat, allowing me to take the lead.

Maybe I should be worried about being alone with him, but I actually relish the idea of him making a move.

It means that I can take out the threat without having to waste four weeks of my time.

Much to my disappointment, he just closes his eyes and enjoys the ride.

Bummer.

But I’m a patient woman. He just needs to spend more time with me. I’m told I can drive a saint crazy.

It’s only a matter of time before he slips up, then I can make my move.

I can’t wait!

* * *

RIVER

Ishift in the backseat of the truck and lean forward poking my head between Bast and Gage, practically bouncing in my seat as I not so silently urge Bast to go faster. “It’s the pedal on the right. Use it.”

Bast isn’t even phased by me yelling in his ear. “You know the police chief will have our asses in jail if we go even a mile over the speed limit.”

I grit my teeth as I seethe. “There is no telling what that bastard will do to her. I can’t believe you just let her go off alone with that psychopath with no one to watch her back. If anything happens to her—”

“For god’s sake, River, knock it off.” Gage huffs out an annoyed breath, glaring at me over his shoulder. “She’s an adult. She can go off with whomever she wants.”

And that’s how I know he’s worried as well. He never loses his temper. He’s an iceman, always cool, calm, and collected, more comfortable behind a computer screen or gun than around people.

“He kills people for a living,” I argue, pushing home the point.

“She will be in public with him,” Bast reminds me, though I don’t miss the way his hands tighten on the steering wheel. We both know that Banks owns the whole fucking town. If he wanted her to disappear, no one would say a word.

It’s the same thing that happened to McNeil.

Just when I’m ready to climb between the seats and crawl into Bast’s lap to drive myself, Pierce speaks for the first time. “While I don’t like Tabitha being out of my sight, she’s more than capable of taking care of herself until we join them.”

With a huff, I throw myself back against the seat and cross my arms.

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