Twice as Hot (Tales of an Extraordinary Girl #2)(57)

Best of all, I knew deep down he'd approach me again. He'd enjoyed our interactions; that much was obvious. More than that, he was still determined to prove to me we could be happy together.

Maybe-perhaps-hopefully I'd finally convince him to return to Rome what was rightfully his. Because, and surely he would realize this, that was the only way to make me truly happy.

Rome withdrew his cell and pressed a single button. He was speaking to...John? a moment later. "We need cleanup on Pine." Pause. "Two dead, one escapee and civilians all over the place." Another pause.

"Yeah, we're good. On our way to the airstrip now. I'll need someone to pick up my clothes and equipment."

He disconnected.

Over and over the car whipped me to the side, Rome taking the turns at an alarming rate.

"Ever get a good look at your attackers?" he asked me.

I wrapped my arms around my middle. My ice had melted on me, too, leaving me damp, so the air-conditioning was colder than it should have been. "No. Did you?"

"Not really. They pulled on masks as they got out of the car. So where'd you learn to shoot like that and where'd you store your gun? You didn't leave it behind, did you? Because I know it's not currently in your possession."

"I told you. I never had a gun. Well, not on me."

He flicked me a quick glance over his shoulder. "No, you said you didn't have a gun. What do you mean, you never had one? You fired at the bad guys."

"No. I didn't shoot those men. Someone else did."

The car jerked - I think Rome's foot flexed on the pedal. He turned his head to flick me another glance, this one through narrowed lids. Not wanting to admit to the rest just yet, I looked away from him and focused on Sherridan, who was curled on the floorboard of the passenger seat and staring at me through the slit between the bucket chairs.

You okay?she mouthed.

I nodded. You?

So far.

In unison we reached for each other and twined our fingers.

"Shit. They've already started to block off the exits," Rome muttered. The car slowed, eased into another driveway, then backed out and headed in the opposite direction. "We're going to have to brave an interrogation. Belle, Sherridan, switch places."

Switch - "What? Why?"

"Do it. Now." No compromise.

Sherridan and I shared a wide-eyed, confused look before squishing together, shimmying around each other and changing locations. The bright sun was suddenly glaring at me, spotlighting me.

"Good. Now sit up and buckle."

My heart was currently in the process of racing our car. My heart was winning, and my blood was chilling. "I thought we needed to hide."

"I doubt the bad guys will try anything with this much fuzz on location." Fair enough. I buckled, my hand shaking, and the moisture on the gauges crystallized again. I wanted to reach out, touch Rome in some way, absorb his strength, his heat, but didn't.

"What are you going to tell the police?"

"I'll get to that. First, tell me about the gun you don't have." Was he trying to distract me? Well, it was working. That didn't mean I was ready to give him the truth, though. I swallowed, searching my brain for the least incriminating excuse. "Guardian angel?" I said weakly. I'd meant it as a statement, not a question. How many times had I done something similar in the past few days? I had to gain better control of my voice inflections.

A muscle ticked in his jaw. "Try again."

No matter how I laid this out, Rome was going to hate it. He would shout, maybe lecture me. "Someone was there, all right?" I tossed the words like a weapon. "Someone was there, helping me. Shooting the bastards to protect me."

"Someone - a man?"

"Yes."

"Was he cute?" Sherridan asked.

"Yes, but you're not dating him." You're not going near him, I silently added. I didn't know what I'd do if Memory Man decided he wanted Sherridan's memories of me, too.

"And you didn't think to tell me he was there?" Rome asked quietly. "I could have talked to the man, learned more about his purpose."

"He took off when you arrived." I think. M-Squared was wily, I'd give him that.

"Or so you think," was the harsh reply, as though he'd read my mind.

"I'm sensing anger, Rome," Sherridan said. "The guy saved her. You should kiss his ass in thanks, not yell at Belle because you failed her."

I loved Sherridan.

Rome ran his tongue over his teeth. "I can drop you off here, you know."

"All right, kiddies," I said, clapping to gain their attention. "That's enough. Rome didn't let me down, and Sherridan's staying right where she is." Who would ever have thought I'd be placed in the role of moderator? Usually, I had to be moderated.

"What'd the guy say to you?" Rome demanded, not allowing the subject to drop.

"Nothing." I rolled up the ends of my jeans, removed my shoes and tugged off my socks. They were too wet, having collected most of the water that had dripped from my skin. "Well, he told me not to be afraid of him and that he'd help me."

"That's something. But who was...he. Oh, hell, no." The steering wheel whined as it bent backward.