Page 167 of Saving Her

“Anissa.” He purrs the greeting, his mouth holding the faintest taunt of a grin. “Nice to see you.”

“Cut the crap, Cole. She’s scared. I need to take her in for questioning. It’s time this was handled by the book.”

His expression tightens. “No. You’re done here.” He jerks a hand at the patrol car, signaling for the officer to leave. “Pretend this never happened.”

She scoffs. “This isn’t Greece. I’m no longer your toy. And I sure as hell won’t go on my merry way when someone is shooting up Portland.”

Cole’s gaze snaps to mine. “You were shot at?” He doesn’t wait for my response as his attention skates over the car, then back to Anissa. “Get out of here,” he orders. “We can catch up to discuss this some other time. Preferably over dinner.”

“I’m not having dinner with you,” she growls. “And I’m not leaving until I’m assured she’s going to be safe.”

He smiles, the show of teeth more of a snarl. “Then I assure you she will be just fine. If she hadn’t stolen a hitman’s car none of this would’ve happened. You and I both know the target on Hunter’s back can sometimes outrank mine.”

A hitman’s car.

Oh, shit, afucking hitman’s car.

I hang my head and close my eyes. Of all the things that could’ve slipped my attention, Hunter’s notorious criminal reputation shouldn’t have been one of them.

The pair continue to bark, one barb after another, the conversation brushing past my ears without sinking past my self-loathing.

I just want to go home.

Not to my parents or my brother, but to the only place I’ve felt safe in a long time.

I want to be with Luca, even though I’m forcing myself to hate him at the same time.

“Please, Agent Fox.” The plea is murmured from my parched mouth. “Just let me go.” I open my eyes to meet her gaze. “I can’t stay out here.”

She frowns at me with concern and confusion. “Are you sure?”

I nod. “Positive.”

She sucks in a deep breath and straightens her shoulders. “This can’t happen again, Cole. I swear to God I won’t keep covering for you.”

He chuckles. “Sure you will.”

“I’m fucking serious, you smug prick.” She reaches into her suit jacket, pulls out a business card and hands it to me. “Call me if you need me. Anytime. Day or night. I’ll be happy to help.”

I take the offering, brushing my finger over the embossed lettering before placing it in my pocket. “Thank you.”

“What about me?” Cole drawls. “Can I call you anytime, day or night?”

She rolls her eyes, not bothering to reply as she starts for her car.

“Come on, Nis. Where’s the love?”

“Fuck you, Cole,” she yells in the distance.

He laughs, creeping closer to Hunter’s car, his attention on her for long seconds until his arm comes to rest on the window ledge.

When his eyes turn to mine the humor is no longer there. No smile. No friendly familiarity. “It’s good to see you again, Penny. Although, it would’ve been appreciated if this were under better circumstances.” There’s a lingering threat in his tone. An ice-cold sterility that leaves me chilled. “Did you see who shot at you?”

I shake my head and stare out the windshield, no longer able to meet his gaze. This is why I didn’t want to leave the house. Because of people like him and feelings like this.

“Maybe next time you’ll make a smarter choice about which car you steal.”

“There won’t be a next time,” I whisper.

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