Page 9 of Romeo

“I like to know who I’m dealing with.”

“And how did accusing me of murdering my grandfather tell you who you’re dealing with?”

I study her.“You’re used to doing things alone,” I tell her.“To having people let you down.Because of that, you’ve put up walls and learned to survive on your own.”

“I’m independent.How obnoxiously original.”She sneers.“Tell me, Mr.Hunt, what other delightful observations have you made about me in the two minutes we’ve been standing here?”

Her irritation at me honestly only makes me like her more.“Not just independent.Capable too.It took me a bit longer to find you than I thought it would.Honestly, I’ve tracked hardened criminals faster than that.”

“And just how long did it take you to find me?”

“A day.”

“So now you’re placating me?”

“No.I’m being honest.As I told you, Miss Landers, I am exceptional at what I do.”Reaching into my pocket, I withdraw a piece of mint flavored gum and pop it into my mouth.It’s a nervous habit I developed after coming home from my last deployment.My way of coping with the dark memories that eat away at my consciousness.

“Fine, Mr.Hunt.You’ve found me.Gold star for you.What exactly are you planning to do now?”She crosses her arms.

“I told you.I was hired to take you home.”

“And I toldyou.I have no intention of going home.Not until I have a name to deliver the cops.”

“Why?”

“Excuse me?”

“Your family has immense resources.Why are you so intent on bringing the killer in yourself?”She doesn’t answer, though her expression reflects that it’s not out of stubbornness.Or, at least, not entirely.

“I don’t see a point in sharing my personal life with you, Mr.Hunt.”

“Riley,” I reply.“I don’t want to be called Mr.Hunt.”

She grins, absolute joy at the fact that she’s struck a nerve with me.“Well,Mr.Hunt, I don’t see a point in being on a first-name basis as I don’t have to go anywhere with you.”

There’s that fight again.

“Legally, no, you don’t have to go with me.I’m not a police officer, and you’re not under arrest.But I’ll just keep finding you.And maybe next time, I’ll bring Odie along for the ride.Maybe he can talk some sense into you.”

She uncrosses her arms and clenches both hands into fists at her sides.“You’re being impossible.”

“I’m doing my job.I don’t fail at things, Ms.Landers.And before you can say something, that’s not arrogance talking—it’s fact.I see jobs through, for better or worse, and I will not have a failure tally on my record or the record of my company.”

“Then I hate to disappoint you, but I will absolutelynotbe going with you.”

She’s dug her heels in, and honestly, if I could be sure she’d be safe, I’d probably just let her be, call her brother, and tell him where to find her so he could come scoop her up.But she was attacked mere minutes ago, and leaving her here could be leaving her to die.

There’s only so long she can outrun this killer, and it wouldn’t sit well on my conscience to just leave her here to die.

“What if I can ensure your brother’s safety?”I ask.

“And just how do you plan to do that?”

“By making sure the killer can’t find you.”

She stares back at me, brow arched, body language stiff as she considers.“I don’t trust you.”

“I don’t expect you to.Given that we just met, I’d say it would be rather ridiculous if you trusted me already.Though I have been told I have a charming smile.”