“Well, I believe you have properly intimidated the people you’ll be questioning today. They’ll probably be worried that if they answer a question wrong, this will be the end result.” Mr. Fresby motioned with his head, laughing a little evilly himself. “I think it’ll work to your advantage. Especially, since I didn’t stop you with Mr. Bailey.”
We all glanced up where he had indicated and saw employees staring out of their widows, faces and palms planted against the windowpanes. Huh. I wasn’t sure what to think ofthat, other than it may actually hinder what I was supposed to be here for. Maybe, not. I guess I would see.
Miranda chose that moment to distract Cole from his moment of vengeance.
I scowled.
She started asking him quiet questions. Her hands landed on his chest. And stayed there. Cole didn’t push her away.
My scowl turned downright scary. Naughty and imaginative designs flew through my mind and my fists clenched as I took in her position.
Standing next to me, Zane stated, “Ember, she’s our client.”
I cocked my head. “Think she can swim?”
He sighed. “Dunno.”
“Wouldn’t really matter. Stash’s still down there. He would save her.”
“Again. She’s our client.”
I stepped forward, plan firm. It was a full go inside my head.
Zane grabbed my wrist and threw me over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry, turned and walked away from everyone. He wasn’t any fun.
***
Brent shoutedat Zane when we were about twenty feet from the building, me bouncing over Zane’s shoulder and very grateful that I hadn’t eaten all my breakfast. Cole yelled next, but Zane kept on walking. I lifted my head and saw them rushing after us. I let myself fall back over him since my back muscles groaned in protest at the lifted position. I really needed to start working out. Being tiny doesn’t mean I’m in shape. It just means I’m tiny.
Zane stepped inside the building with everyone following at varying times. Brent and Cole were obviously the first to arrive. They slid to a stop next to us as Zane set me down. They eachgrabbed one of my arms and yanked me back against them, checking me over. Now, I may be tiny and out of shape, but I’m not frail. Plus, I was ticked off at Cole.
I pushed him away, glaring.
“What happened?” Cole asked, glancing back and forth between Zane and me.
Zane stated, sounding bored with the whole affair, “The next time you let a woman flirt with you, I suggest you don’t do it in front of Cujo here.” He lifted a thumb in my direction.
I bared my teeth. I could sure give him Cujo if he ever called me that again.
“What?” Cole asked, his eyes dancing over my face and his forehead crinkled.
Zane’s eyes lifted to the Heavens. I was right there with him. He sighed and thumped Cole on the forehead. “Miranda, you twit.”
Zane left us then, strolling over to speak/intercept said Miranda, who was just walking in and staring at Cole with a tiny pucker between her eyebrows. The poor dear really was quite slow for such a ball breaker. The man had just chased off after another woman. Get with the program, sweetie.
Brent was chuckling behind me and I shook him off. I was so glad he found this amusing. I glared at him and he walked off, hands in the air, to help Chloe with the bags as she pushed through the doors. Before leaving, I think he almost gave Cole a sympathetic glance.
It turned into a smirk.
Cole was watching me and rubbing his chin. “You’re jealous.”
Finally, he got it.
I didn’t say anything, but scowled harder.
His lips twitched, but he stayed serious. “She wasn’t flirting with me, Ember. She’s just the touchy feely sort.” He shrugged. “When she flirts it more blatant.”
And this is one prime example why I’m bi.
