Morgan moves between me and the back door. “Like fuck it is. You’re not taking her.”
“Listen to me carefully.” I step closer, looming over her. At 6’4, it’s easy to loom. “The police will be looking for Scarlett, once Harvey or Henry-”
“Maury, his name is Maury,” Scarlett interrupts, “and are you remembering you just set fire to my family’s business? I’d think you were taking me away to bury me somewhere, aside from the fact that you stopped to get me medical help and showed your face to another potential witness, which really makes no sense, now that I think about it.”
“You’re not helping your case, sweetheart. Regardless, I’ve punished your patheticsyndicate for stealing from my family and killing our men.”
Folding my arms, I lean against the door, avoiding an angry swipe from that damned cat’s paw as I get too close. “I’m thinking your arsehole stepfamily will believe you’re behind it. You disappeared with a strange man, any footage from security cameras around the area will make it look like you came with me willingly.”
Both girls open their mouths to argue, look at each other, and back at me.
“After delving into the Banner Syndicate history last night, I know enough that you’re treated like a servant,” I continue. “Though I didn’t think that would extend to office custodial work as well. So, the question is, why are you sticking around for this kind of abuse?”
Scarlett’s complexion pales under the soot streaks. “Exactly who are you working for? Another crime family? What did my idiot stepbrother do now?”
“As I’ve said, he killed our men. He stole from us. Like the drunk in the bar picking the biggest, meanest guy to fight.”
“Trying to improve his reputation,” she rubs her eyes. “Of course. Thank you for not killing any of our people.”
Consulting my watch, “We don’t have a lotof time, Scarlett Banner. Your stepbrother and mother are going to be furious. This is a humiliating blow. They will be looking for someone to blame, and if they think you are connected, your life will go from bad to worse. Much worse. Do you understand?”
The girls look at each other again, a silent conversation that I finally have to interrupt. “There is nothing left for you here, and if you stick around, your witchy friend will not be left unscathed if your stepmother is as spiteful as I think she is.”
“This doesn’t make any sense,” Scarlett weaves slightly, trying to keep her balance and I hold her good arm to keep her steady. “Why would you want me to go with you?”
Looking down into her wide blue eyes, bay water blue, I realize I know the answer. But I canna tell her.
Chapter Eight
In which Scarlett gets to know the most handsome arsonist in all of New England.
Scarlett…
Did I step into some alternate reality?
Because that’s the only thing that makes sense right now.
This enormous man came barreling through the flames to rescue me from a firehe set.He saved my life, got me patched up and now, he thinks he’s going to protect me from my own family’s syndicate?
The worst part? He’s probably right. Marlena and Kylewillblame me. He didn’t just torch the face of our legitimate business, hedemolishedit. Along with whatever “fearsome” reputation that fool Kyle was attempting to build.
All of this still doesn’t answer the question. Why? Why would he want me to come with him? He knows how much the Wicked Steps despise me, that I have no value as a hostage.
He’s watching me now, one dark brow risinghaughtily. Even under all that soot and ash smeared on his face, it’s clear he’s got cheekbones high enough to hang your sweater on, a full, sultry mouth. His eyes, though…
They’re amber, a translucent shade that glows and it’s mesmerizing.
Throw in the fact that he has biceps the size of my thigh and he’s built big enough to lift a car? He’s almost offensively attractive.
“Shouldn’t I be more afraid right now?” I’m asking Morgan, but he’s the one who answers.
“Not of me. My family doesn’t hurt women. We never have.”
“There’s no logical reason you could have for wanting to help her,” Morgan says, still wedged protectively between him and me.
He frowns thoughtfully. “I saved your life, Scarlett. It means I’m responsible for it now.” His full lips part and it looks like he’s going to add something, but he presses them together instead.
Am I considering this? No. This is a screaming example of poor life choices.
