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“You’re not guilty.That’s what you’ve been claiming all along, right?”
“I’ve been saying that, yes.”Slightly breathless.
“Then I’m offering you a team-up.After I finish my business with Ivan, you and I will find the real killer.Because what I want—most of all—is to make certain the killer is captured.”He nodded.“Deal?”
The silence ticked past.
“Youthink I’m innocent?”Naomi finally asked, voice husky.
“Aren’t you?”
She rocked forward.“Get my dog, and we have a deal.”
Hell, yes.“Get that ass into the truck, get out of here, andthenwe have a deal.”
She climbed back into the truck.Slammed the door.Cranked the engine.Well, on the third, sputtering try, Naomi cranked the engine.Only instead of driving away, she lowered the window.“I have a confession.”
Already?Damn.He’d expected more resistance.Eb put his forearm on the side of the door.Leaned in toward her.
“I always thought you were far too damn sexy, Ebenezer Jones.”
What.The.Fuck?
“And I always wondered…what would have happened if I met you before Hudson?Just how different would my life have been?”
Shock froze him.
“Better step back,” she advised, voice sugary sweet.“I’d hate to run over your foot on my way out of here.”
He stepped back.
She rattled off an address.Not like he needed it.He had her address saved on his phone.Imprinted on his brain.
“See you soon,” his prey told him.All merry and bright.Like they were planning to meet up for tea or some shit.All signs of tears were gone.
In silence, Eb watched her drive away.
I always wondered…what would have happened if I met you before Hudson?Just how different would my life have been?
How different would his own life have been?
Would he be the dead one lying in a cold grave?
Eb waited until her taillights vanished, then he turned and stared at the rundown bar.After a moment, he squared his shoulders and headed for the entrance.
He wondered how many bastards he’d have to fight in order to get back one dog for a lady who looked like pure temptation but had a heart of absolute ice.
Naomi waiteduntil she rounded the curve and…
She hit the brakes.Then whipped that truck around.
Ebenezer Jones, I don’t trust you for a second.
What did he think?That she’d been born yesterday?Hell, no, she wasn’t just going to drive away like a good little girl while he took care of business.
She’d tried to be good.Too many times.That routine didn’t work for her.
These days, she didn’t take orders from anyone.