Imogen must have felt the change in my demeanor because she lifted her head and looked around before snuggling closer into me. Maybe she had a sixth sense that something was wrong, or perhaps my stiffening body language unsettled her, because she started to whine.
My feet carried me closer to the car, and I tried to make out the shadowed figure in the driver’s seat. Looking down at the license plate, I repeated it a few times in my head as I turned back and made for my truck, whispering it under my breath. The second I strapped Imogen into her safety seat, I pulled my cell from my pocket and sent myself a voice note of the license number before locking the doors and striding purposefully back toward the car.
As I approached the vehicle, I heard the engine fire up. My steps quickened until I began to sprint, but as I reached the Impala, it pulled away and sped down the road with its tires squealing.
Every hair on the back of my neck stood up as I jumped into my truck, reversed, and pulled away down the street, heading in the same direction as the car, except there was no sign of it.
I reasoned with myself that it could’ve been nothing, but I couldn’t shake the bad feeling creeping through my chest.
Imogen was quiet and watchful throughout the journey to Rosie’s place. I tried to lighten the mood by singing along with the music, but it was like my girl knew something wasn’t right. The entire incident had unnerved me, and I couldn’t helpkeeping my head on a swivel throughout the drive, looking out for anything that seemed amiss.
By the time I hit Rosie’s place, I’d calmed down slightly. I grinned at the sight of Gabby bombing out of the front door and tearing down the path, heading straight for me.
“Gaga! Gaga!”Imogen shrieked.
“Yeah, alright, kid. Don’t rub it in,” I grumbled, putting the truck into park and switching off the engine.
Gabby threw the door open and called out, “Mom and Deej are just coming,” and then crooned, “Hey, Imogen. You look pretty today.”
My girl giggled.
I craned my neck to see Gabby climbing into the middle seat. “You were quick out today.”
“Yeah,” she confirmed. “I wanted to sit next to Imogen.” She hooked her pinkie with Immie’s thumb and smiled down at her.
Voices filtered in from outside. I turned my head to see Rosie and DJ walking down the path toward the truck. Rosie was carrying what looked like some kind of cake with tinfoil over the top to keep it fresh.
I opened the door and swung out, giving them a chin lift. “Hey, bud. Jump in while I have a quick chat with your mom.”
“Everythin’ okay,” he asked quizzically.
“Yeah,” I told him. “Won’t be long.”
He took the cake off Rosie and made for the truck while I pulled her away a few feet.
“Hey!” she said, leaning up and pecking my cheek. “You okay?”
I took her hand in mine and splayed our fingers together. “Have you noticed anything weird going on lately?”
Her eyebrows furrowed. “Can’t say I have. Why? What’s happened?”
“I think I saw someone take photographs of me and Imogen from a car parked close to the gym.”
A look of fear slid across her face. “Are you sure?”
“As sure as I can be. I saw the camera flash through the car window, even though it was tinted. I couldn’t make out who it was, and when I went over to question them, they drove away like Satan himself was up their ass. Luckily, I got their license details.”
Her thumb brushed soothingly across my hand. “Did you see anything at all?”
“Couldn’t see his face. He was driving a black Impala, but not one I recognized.”
I caught her sharp look before she could disguise it.
“Evan,” she cut out. “He’s trying to find dirt on me, and he’s using you to do it.”
“We don’t know that for sure.”
She threw her arms in the air. “Who else could it be? I told you, my ex plays dirty. He’ll do everything he can to win. His ego’s so bruised, he can’t fucking stand it.” She started to pace a few feet and then back again. “I can’tbelievehim.”
