“Possibly, yeah. But again?—”
“I know, I know,” I say, waving him off. “You have no proof of anything.”
“Exactly.”
The thought of Brynn being anywhere near a guy who runs with known traffickers fills me with a cold fury. Maybe that’s not what he does, but the simple fact that he’s in proximity to it is enough for me. I am not going to let this piece of shit get anywhere near Brynn.
“I don’t like that look on your face,” Curtis says. “Don’t do anything stupid.”
“Me?”
“You!”
I flash him a smirk. I’m going to protect her. If this guy gets in my way or tries to keep me from doing that, he’s going to pay a price. I won’t do anything stupid or illegal. But maybe, if it comes to it, I’ll be able to get Curtis the proof he needs to take him down once and for all.
The only thing that matters to me is making sure Brynn is safe.
4
CHAPTER 4
BRYNN
Itried calling him back half a dozen times after Shelby pulled that little stunt, but he never picked up. He ignored my messages and texts. I’ve been hoping that he was just so annoyed by me telling him I wasn’t going to go out with him that he decided he didn’t need to respond. But when I see him walking through the door of the coffee house, my heart sinks.
He walks to the counter, his smile wide. Shelby nudges me in the ribs with her elbow and giggles as she flounces away.
“Ready?” he asks.
“Didn’t you get any of my texts or messages?”
“Yeah, but I figured you were just nervous. I decided I’d give you a second chance,” he says with a laugh that sounds a little harsh.
I shake my head. “No, I really meant it. I don’t want to go out with you.”
He chuckles. “Come on. Why not?”
“Do I really need a reason?” I huff.
“Of course not,” he replies. “I’m just curious, is all.”
I sigh and shake my head, irritated that I’m being made to feel like I have to explain myself to him. It reminds me of my ex all over again. I shouldn’t have to give a reason for not wanting to sleep with somebody and I shouldn’t have to give a reason for not wanting to go out with them. Why can’t men just accept my answers without making me justify them?
Cole doesn’t seem like a man used to hearing the word ‘no’. And the way he’s looking at me makes me feel like he’s going to keep pestering me if I don’t give him some reason for not wanting to go out with him… which irritates me even more.
“Listen, I’m just not in a place where I want to date right now,” I tell him. “School keeps me really busy, and I don’t have the time?—”
“It’s just dinner,” he cuts me off.
“I’m really not interested. But thank you.”
His eyes sparkle, and his grin turns feral. “How can you know if you’re not interested if you don’t even give it a try?”
My blood starts to boil, and I clench my jaw. I catch Shelby glancing at me from across the shop, and she’s got a questioning expression on her face, clearly not hearing this exchange. Cole is getting pushy, and I don’t like it. And I don’t like the way he’s staring at me, as if I belong to him or something.
“I appreciate the offer,” I say through gritted teeth. “But I’m not interested. Now, I have to get back to work?—”
“Come on, Brynn. It’s just dinner?—”
