Though it looked like any other tinted SUV, this thing was unlike any vehicle she’d ever ridden in…
Blacked-out beyond the legal limits for civilians, the thing had an armored shell, bullet resistant glass, run-flat tires, and blast protected floors.
When he’d been telling her all the reasons why she was safer riding in this than his truck, Archer had listed off several other impressive features. But those were the ones Cassie could remember off the top of her head.
Probably because those features were what really mattered most.
If someone shot at them, the glass wouldn’t shatter, and the armored metal would provide a barrier between the striking bullet and the vehicle’s interior. More to the point, they’d keep those bullets from strikingthem.
Even more to the point, let’s hope there are no bullets or blasts to begin with!
Okay, so yeah. She had to give that one to her subconscious. No bombs or bullets was definitely her first choice.
“You okay?”
Cassie jumped a little in her seat when Archer’s voice suddenly filled enclosed space. “I’m fine,” she lied.
Nothing about this day was fine.
Not the fact that Russ was dead or that his family had gone against the wishes she knew he possessed and had his bodycremated before she’d ever gotten word. The whispers, sneers, and snickers alone had nearly been enough to drive her right back out the door of that church.
Cassie thought about the woman who’d ‘accidentally’ bumped into her. She thought about Alistair and his horrible, hateful words…
I would have loved to have watched them shove that needle into your arm.
Her fists curled together in her lap as the altercation between him, her, and Archer replayed over and over again in her mind. Would this nightmare ever end?
She was beginning to think it would go on forever.
If you’re convicted like Alistair wants, you’ll be stuck in it for the rest of your miserable days.
“Hey.” A masculine hand reached over and covered hers. “It’s going to be okay.”
“I know.” Another lie.
She knew nothing of the sort.
Cassie glanced down and studied their joined hands. Twisting one of hers over, she linked her fingers with his and gave him a gentle squeeze.
How nice it would be if they were holding hands for an entirely different reason. If they were a normal couple riding in a normal, non-armored car without having to worry about psycho killers, prison, and angry, mourning fathers accosting them in a cemetery parking lot.
They slowed for a turn, and Cassie blinked. Glancing up, she was surprised to see they’d just pulled into her driveway.
Archer put the SUV in park and tapped the mic in his ear. “We’re good. Thanks, guys. I’ll touch base later.”
He reached for the door, but she stopped him before it opened.
“Thank you,” she offered softly. “For what you did back there.”
Archer didn’t move at first. He just sat there, frozen with his back to her. For a second, Cassie thought she’d somehow angered him. Which didn’t make any sense, whatsoever. But then…
Using his left hand, he slid those sunglasses—that were far,farsexier than they should’ve been—onto the top of his head. Leaning back, he released his hold on the door’s handle and shifted his body around so he was almost fully facing her.
Dark, intense, carefully controlled anger filled his gorgeous eyes. Moving slowly, almost methodically, they lowered to where she was still holding onto his muscular arm. Cassie released him, fearing he was about to yell at her for touching him.
What he actually said, however…thewayhe said it…the way he looked at her when he said it…left her even more surprised than if he’d yelled.
Surprised.