Page 98 of The Quiet Witness

But she didn’t need to. Realization already glinted across his eyes. “You haven’t been taught yet?”

“No. I’ve wanted to for a long time, but it just never really happened.”

It hadn’t really been a priority for her foster family. Easier to keep someone below the thumb if they didn’t know how to operate a car.

“Right.” He glanced in the rear view mirror, one hand tightening on the wheel. “That’s something we’ll have to remedy.”

She followed his flitting gaze. “Wait, you’re going to teach me how to drive?”

He shot another glance up to the rear view mirror. “Can’t be more dangerous than teaching you self-defense.” He merged into the outermost right lane.

“I wouldn’t be too sure of that.” She clenched her hands in her lap, noticing a Mercedes merge to the right. Straight behind them.

Lucien pressed down on the gas while Kate kept a tight watch on the arrow of the speedometer. “I know you like to gas it, Luc—”

He jerked the wheel to the right. Kate bumped against the door with her elbow, tingles running through her arm from the impact. They crossed over the striped buffer zone, narrowly catching the exit. “What is all this about?!” She shrieked.

Kate whirled around, catching sight of the same sleek black Mercedes narrowly missing the exit.

Lucien stepped on the brake, downshifting in the turn before glancing at her apologetically. “Sorry, nearly missed the exit.”

“Missed the exit, my ass! Was that Max?”

“Max? No. I just don’t like it when they stick to my butt like a bumper sticker.”

“Bullshit, Lucien, total and utter bullshit. How about the truth for once?”

“I haven’t yet gained the ability to see through cars, sweetheart.” He glanced at her, took in her defensive stance. “All I know is the driver merged when I did, gained on us. And I… would rather be safe than sorry.”

“Well…” She huffed, letting some of the tension seep out in a sigh. “If you’re gonna teach me to drive like that, I might not have my license, but I’m pretty sure that was illegal.”

“Looks like you’ll pass your driving test with flying colors.” He took a right, driving up to a deserted country road. “Just don’t become one of those nagging Nancys in my car when you’ve got it.”

“It’ll be a while yet.” She muttered.

“Not really.”

“How do you figure?”

“Well… welcome, student to your very first lesson.”

“But what about whoever’s been trailing us?”

“If,” He corrected her. “Besides, if he was, we’ve officially lost him now.” He narrowed his gaze at her with mock authority. “Quit stalling, get out of the passenger seat and behind the wheel.”

Chapter 40

Among the Fields

“This is so freaking scary.” Kate gripped the steering wheel with white knuckles.

Lucien drummed his fingers on his knee beside her. “A confession of fear from you? Damn.” He wrung his hands together. “I should have thought of this before.”

There was nothing but open fields to her left and right, with high grasses swaying in the wind. So, why was she shaking like a leaf on that very wind?

Her driving instructor continued. “What a way to inflict mental torture, remind me when we butt heads next time.”

“Might be sooner than you think,” she muttered under her breath. Picturing the way his grin would already be spreading wide. Kate whirled around to face him, fixing him with a stare. “Is this the way it’s gonna be?”