Page 183 of Beyond the Badge: Nox

It was too damn warm outside for a sweatshirt. That wasn’t suspicious at all.

Her spine began to tingle and tighten.

Should she engage or ignore?

“Ma’am!”

Shit.Her heart began to pound in her chest. Coming across a stranger in an alley in a town with a population of only one was a bit unnerving. “Yes?”

He jerked his chin toward the fence. “What’s in that building?”

“I don’t know,” she lied since the Blue Avengers wanted the fact that The Plant was their clubhouse kept under wraps.

For good reason.

“You’re headin’ in there. Gotta have a reason for that.”

When he stepped closer, she took a step back. “I sell real estate and the owners are thinking about selling. I’m here to meet them,” she lied again.

It was best if he thought other people would be showing up soon.

Something about him was definitely “off.” So, no matter what, she wouldn’t open the gate while he stood there. She couldn’t imagine anyone came to this town unless they were there to create trouble.

Or were lost.

This man did not appear to be lost. Though, he could be homeless.

The best thing to do would be to get back into her car, drive away and call Nox to let him know about this guy skulking around. She could return after the man moved on.

“Nice cage.”

His use of a term only bikers living the MC lifestyle used made the alarm bells ring in her head and goosebumps to break out all over her body. She never heard weekend warriors or wannabes, as her father called them, use “cage” for a car.

Despite not wanting to take her eyes off him, with him standing between her and her Benz, her gaze automatically slid to her car when the thought popped into her head.

Maybe he only wanted her car.

The high-end Mercedes was sitting there running with the keyless fob in the cup holder. As well as her wallet on the passenger seat.

Good going, Liyah. Not smart. You should know better.

“What do you want?” she asked him.

“Wanna know what’s behind the fence.”

“Like I said, I’m only here to obtain a listing from the owner.”

“Thinkin’ you’re bullshittin’ me.”

“I’d show you my business card but it’s in the car.”

His gaze once again landed on her AMG GT. A vehicle that cost her six figures.

“I can grab it for you.” Her plan was, if it worked, she’d climb in her car while pretending to get a card and then get the hell out of there.

“Who’re the owners of the buildin’?”

“Sorry, I can’t remember their names off the top of my head. I’d have to check my paperwork.”

---