“You almost made me believe you.”
Her eyes widened before she looked away. The silence grew between us, which I didn’t like. I could’ve turned on some music, but I preferred the sound of her honey and milk voice whether she was singing or talking.
“Jodi used to represent you?” I asked into the stillness within the vehicle.
“The PR firm used to,” she answered. “Technically, they still do, I guess.”
“But it was Jodi who used to clean up your messes, as she put it?”
Another pause. Too bad. I wasn’t about to let it drop. I waited for her response, glancing over at her expectantly.
“Something like that.”
“Something like that or that exactly?”
She sucked her teeth. “Am I being interrogated?” She turned her body fully toward me. “Are you planning to sell anything I tell you to a gossip blog or something?”
I reared my head back and gave her a searing glare. “Do I look like one of those lame dumbasses who’d do something so pathetic?” My tone was as sharp as hers was accusatory.
She didn’t say anything immediately. Instead, she continued to stare before easing herself back in the passenger seat.
“Jodi has cleaned up a couple of my messes over the years.” She snorted. “Truthfully, most of them weren’t even made by me.” She shrugged. “Nothing outrageous, to be honest. Some of them were even manufactured.”
“Really?”
“Ever heard of the saying, all news is good news?”
It was my turn to snort. “Yeah.”
“A lot of people in my world take that very seriously.”
She sounded tired, weary. I reached over with my right hand, taking her hand into mine. I squeezed it comfortingly. Warmth shrouded my skin at the small but meaningful, skin to skin contact.
Lena’s hold on my hand tightened as well before she snatched it back. I caught her glaring at me from the corner of my eye.
“We’re here,” I said as we arrived at the parking lot where Lena’s rental sat.
When she reached for the door handle, I stopped her with a hand to her thigh.
“Let me.”
I got out and circled the front of my car, opening the door for her.
“Thanks,” she told me before trying to move around me to get to her car.
I sidestepped, getting in her way.
“What are you doing?” She glanced around. Those plump lips fell ajar. “My cousin taught me self-defense.”
I stepped back, only slightly, with a smirk on my lips. “She seems like the type who’d teach you how to fight.”
“She is,” Lena assured.
“I wouldn’t hurt you,” I told her. “You’re safe with me.” I’d never made such a promise to any woman before. Yet, the thought of taking those words back didn’t sit well with me either.
Lena’s shoulders eased, and the fear that played at the corners of her narrowed eyes toned down.
I lifted my hand and traced my pointer finger across her collarbone. She shivered but didn’t move away.
