Page 76 of Arranged Control

Sometime in the odd moments between kissing him the first time and losing him that night he went to the meeting.

It happened so gradually I didn’t even notice until it was gone.

I’m so busy thinking about Seamus that I nearly don’t notice when his brother almost hits me with a car.

I walk out into traffic, distracted, not realizing the light has changed, which is basically the most dangerous thing you can do in New York. An SUV slams on its brakes, coming to a screeching stop inches from my legs. I’m mortified and stunned, especially when I realize it’s Finn staring at me over the wheel, grinning sheepishly.

We meet each other’s gaze across the intersection. I don’t move to get out of his way even though people are staring. A car nearby honks.

Slowly, I approach the passenger side door and yank it open.

“Why are you trying to run me over, Finn?”

He shrinks back nervously. “That was an accident, I swear. You threw yourself in front of me. I thought you were trying to get hit.”

“You’re avoiding the question. What are you doing here?”

He glances in the rearview. A car’s laying on its horn. “Get in and we’ll talk, okay?”

“I guess you can’t run me over if I’m in your car.” I climb into the passenger seat and slam the door.

He pulls forward, driving around the block. “Would it help if I said Seamus doesn’t know I’m here?”

“I’m not sure,” I admit. A part of me likes that Seamus is still worried about my safety. The way he’s been acting lately, it’s easy to forget he even gives a damn. “Are things really that bad?”

“Honestly, I don’t know.” He keeps driving, not looking at me, circling around the block over and over. “The security team he’s got assigned to you is probably enough. I was just stopping by to check in, that’s all.”

“And conveniently nearly slammed me with your car.”

“Again, I’m pretty sure that was your fault. Who runs out into traffic in New York? You’re lucky it was me driving. Otherwise, you’d be roadkill.”

“I hate that you have a point.” I lean back in the seat, crossing my arms over my chest. “Have you talked to him lately?”

“Yeah, we talk.”

“Has he said anything? You know about—” I don’t finish that sentence. I feel stupid enough asking like I’m some high school girl worried her crush isn’t thinking about her.

Finn’s quiet. He stares straight ahead. I hate that reaction and wish someone would be straightforward with me for once. But slowly, he lets out a breath and shakes his head.

“Things are complicated,” he says at last.

“Thanks, that’s super helpful, like I hadn’t noticed already.” But the way he says it makes something tug at the back of my head. “You know why he pulled away, don’t you?”

He glances at me. “You’re a clever one. I gotta be careful around you.”

“Thereisa reason then. Something happened with Molchanie and he won’t tell me.”

“If he’s not saying, then he’s got his reasons.”

“You know though.”

“I have a few good guesses.”

“Would you tell me? I’m sick of wandering around in the dark. Clearly, it’s got something to do with me. I have a right to know if some crazy assassin is trying to murder me.”

He tilts his head, considering. “I can say that Molchanie is most likely not trying to kill you, but anything past that is between you and my brother.”

“You’re a lot of help.” I tap my knuckles against the car door, feeling frustrated and pent-up. “Might as well just drop me off at the deli on the corner. I was on my way to lunch before you tried to ram me.”