Almost Midnight (Shadow Falls: After Dark #3.5)(110)

She started walking away, and Cary didn’t remove his hand. She got a few feet away, turned her back toward Brandon, and then seethed. “Let go of me.”

He did, but his frown said he disliked her tone. Thankfully, she didn’t give a frack about what he liked or disliked.

“What is he?” he asked.

“My boss,” she offered, knowing what he really asked, but too pissed to answer.

“You know what I mean.”

She had to take a few gulps of air to calm herself enough to explain. “I got just what you got.” Meaning his scent.

“And yet you are hanging out with him?”

“I work with him at the gallery.” The fact that she wanted a completely different kind of relationship wasn’t any of Cary’s damn business.

“I think Holiday would be very disappointed in you,” he growled.

“Holiday knows where I am!”

“Then dare I say I’m disappointed in you. Since when do you go around flaunting yourself to the likes of him?”

Her mouth dropped open. “First, I’m not flaunting myself. Second, if I was flaunting myself it’s my prerogative. So take your attitude and stick it where the sun doesn’t shine.”

“What about us?” he growled.

“How many times do I have to tell you that there isn’t an ‘us.’ There never was an us. Just an idea of us. And I no longer like that idea! And frankly neither did you when you made plans to leave first thing this summer.”

“You are dumping me for him?”

“No, I told you that you and I weren’t going to make it before I ever interviewed at the gallery.”

“But you aren’t denying that you and he are more than employer and employee?”

“I don’t have to deny anything to you.”

“Fine, but you’ll regret this,” he snapped, his threat clear in his tone.

She looked at his bright eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Holiday and Burnett trust me. If I go to them with problems about someone, don’t you think they’ll listen?”

She immediately understood what he was saying. “What problems? I haven’t done anything!”

“But who do you think they’d trust more, me or one of their freeloading students?” he said. “So why don’t you just come back with me?”

“Why don’t you go to hell! I’m pretty sure there’s a special spot for you there.” She didn’t know what made her angrier: the blackmail threat, or his freeloading comment. Because damn him, she wasn’t freeloading. She’d already spoken to Holiday about paying her back.

She swung around and left Cary.

She walked over to Brandon who stood watching them, concern tightening his expression. Aware her eyes were probably a pissed-off orange, she glanced away, keeping her eyes away from his gaze. She could hear her heart thumping in her ears and she recognized the emotions making it race. And it wasn’t just anger.

Fear.

If I go to them with problems about someone, don’t you think they’ll listen? As much as she wished it wasn’t so, Cary was right. Holiday and Burnett would believe Cary over her. How could they not? She was, after all, the daughter of a rogue.

“Let’s go,” she said, glancing down and busying her hands by putting on the helmet.

Brandon hesitated one second. “Fine, but it’s another thing I’m going to need an explanation about.” He crawled onto the bike and she crawled on behind him.

She wrapped her arms around Brandon and leaned in. “Cary Cannon is an *. How’s that for an explanation?”

“I figured that out all by myself,” Brandon said, as he started the motor and drove off.

She felt Cary’s glare on them all the way out of the parking lot.

*

Fredericka held on tight during the ride. When he pulled up in front of the gallery, another car was parked in front.

“Damn it. We’ve got company,” Brandon muttered. A frown sounded in his voice, and she felt his muscles tense beneath her hands. She wasn’t sure if he was annoyed because he’d have to delay their conversation or because he didn’t like the person waiting in the silver Saturn parked in front of the mailbox.

Or maybe both.

However, for Fredericka it gave her just a few more minutes to decide how to answer Brandon’s questions about Cary.

The garage door opened and Brandon pulled in.

“I’ll be right back.” He took his helmet off. His bandana stayed in place. “If you don’t mind, go on in and I’ll be in shortly.” He frowned. “It’s an old boyfriend of my sister’s.”

“Sure.” She watched him walk out, but couldn’t help wondering why his sister didn’t take care of her own boyfriend issues. Or maybe that was just what brothers were for. She wouldn’t know, never having had one.

Having already gotten caught eavesdropping, she escaped into the house. Her first step inside made her realize again how pretty the yellows and reds made the kitchen. But as warm as the colors were, the room was cold.

She walked into what would be the gallery part of the house. An odd quietness seemed to echo within the rooms. She realized what it was, or wasn’t. Her gaze moved to the wind chimes. Dead still.