Michelle were gone, she didnt like staying by herself on the small property in Comanche Wells. It was remote, and dangerous, if any of Gabriels enemies ever set themselves on retaliation. It had happened once in the past. Fortunately, Gabriel had been at home.
Shed already called for a tow truck, but the account she used was briefly tied up. It would be just a few minutes, they promised. She hung up and smiled ruefully.
A car approached from the direction of the theater, slowed and then whipped in just in front of where she was parked. A tall man got out and came back to her window.
She froze until she realized who it was. She powered the window down.
This is a hell of a place to be sitting with a flat tire, Wolf Patterson said shortly. Come on. Ill drive you home.
But I have to stay with the car. Ive called the tow truck, and they will be here in a few minutes.
Well wait for the wrecker in my car, he said firmly. Im not leaving you out here alone.
She was grateful. She didnt want to have to say so.
He chuckled softly as he got a glimpse of her expression when he opened the door of her car. Accepting help from the enemy wont cause you to break out in hives.
Want to bet? she asked. But with a resigned sigh, she got into his car.
* * *
IT WAS A MERCEDES. Shed never driven one, but she knew a lot of people who did. They were almost indestructible, and they lasted forever.
She was curious about the windows. They looked odd. So did the construction of the doors.
He saw her curiosity. Armor plating, he said easily. Bulletproof glass.
She stared at him. You have a lot of people using rocket launchers against you, do you?
He just smiled.
She wondered about him. He spoke several impossible languages. He wasnt well-known locally, although hed lived in Jacobs County for several years. Of all the spare tidbits of information shed been able to gather about him, hed once worked for the elite FBI Hostage Rescue Unit. But apparently, he was involved in other activities since then, none of which were ever spoken about.
Gabriel found him amusing. He only said that Wolf had moved to Jacobsville because he was looking for a little peace and quiet. Nothing more.
My brother knows you.
Yes.
She glanced at him. He was looking at his cell phone, pushing through screens, apparently sending emails to someone.
She averted her eyes. He was probably talking to his date, maybe apologizing for keeping her waiting.
She wanted to tell him he could go, shed wait for the wrecker alone; she wouldnt mind. But she did mind. She was afraid of the dark, of men who might show up when she was helpless. She hated her own fear.
He glanced at her hands. She was worrying the purse again.
He put away the cell phone. I dont bite.
She actually jumped. She swallowed. Sorry.
His eyes narrowed. Hed been deliberately provoking her for a long time, ever since she ran into him with her car and then accused him of causing the accident. She was aggressive in her way. But alone with him, she was afraid. Very much afraid. Such a beautiful woman, with so many hang-ups.
Why are you so nervous? he asked quietly.
She forced a smile. Im not nervous, she said. She looked around for car lights.
His eyes were narrow, assessing. There was a pileup just outside the downtown loop, he told her. Thats what I was checking for on my phone. The wrecker should be here shortly.
She nodded. Thanks, she said jerkily.
He lifted an eyebrow. Do you really think youre that attractive? he asked in a cool drawl.
Her shocked eyes went up to meet his. Excuse me?
There was something ice-cold in his look, in his manner. She was bringing back memories he hated, memories of another beautiful brunette, provocative, coy, manipulative. Youre sitting there tied in knots. You look as if you expect me to leap on you. His sensual lips pulled up into a cold smile. Youd be lucky, he added provocatively. Im very selective about women. You wouldnt even make the first cut.
She stopped twisting the purse. Lucky me, she said with an icy smile. Because I wouldnt have you on toast!
His eyes flashed. He wanted to throw things. He couldnt leave her here alone, but he wanted to. She made him furious.
She started to get out of the car.
He locked the door from a control panel. Youre not going anywhere until the wrecker gets here. He leaned toward her abruptly, without warning.
She shot back against the door, suddenly trembling. Her eyes were wide and frightened. Her body was like taut rope. She just looked at him, shivering.
He cursed under
his breath.
She swallowed. Swallowed again. She couldnt even look at him. She hated showing that weakness. Aggression always provoked it. Shed never dealt with her past. She couldnt get over it, get through it.
Headlights came up from behind and slowed. Its the tow truck, Sara said. Please let me out, she choked out.
He unlocked the door. She scrambled out and ran to the vehicles driver.
He got out, too, cursing himself for that look on her face. Shed done nothing to cause him to attack her, nothing except show fear. It wasnt like him to attack women, to threaten them. He was disturbed by his own response to her.