Page 11 of The Problem with Princes
I shake my head. “I don’t think so. My mother taught me not to talk to strangers.” I take a few steps back, pulling Texie with me. Is MA his employer? I can’t imagine anyone else who could be. Except perhaps, MSG. I shake my head at the alphabet soup I’ve created. Unfortunately, thanks to many police procedurals (that’s their official name, I think), I can imagine with little difficulty what MSG might want with me. Or rather to do to me. But if this guy is with MA, what could he possibly want with me? He wouldn’t really track me down to get the rest of the money for his shoes, would he?
The man shifts on his feet. “I mean you no harm, miss.”
I snort. "Isn’t that just what someone who means me harm would say?”
He looks at me, his forehead creasing. “I…I don’t understand.”
“Who is your employer?” I fold my arms across my chest and jut out a hip.
The man licks his lips. “I am not at liberty to say at this time.”
“What if I refuse to go with you? Are you going to force me?” My bravado ends somewhere just past my jaw line. My knees are shaky, and my heart feels like it might come up my throat at any moment. But I mentally shake myself. I am pretty sure I’m not supposed to show fear. Or is that just with bears and other wild animals?
The man shrugs. “I can’t force you, Miss Martindale. But it is to your advantage to go. My employer wishes to speak with you about what happened yesterday afternoon.”
I swallow. Which incident? Coffee or car?
Surely, Modern Ares is over the whole coffee thing. But I have already told them everything I know about Mr. Skateboard Guy.And I’m still not convinced that MSG isn’t behind this. Why don’t crime procedurals ever teach you how to handle these types of situations?
“I can allow you to go up by yourself if that will put you more at ease.” He takes a step back, clearly meaning it as a show of good faith.
Do I dare go? I look over at Texie. She is staring at me with wide eyes.
“Miss Kincade may accompany you.”
These words only seem to widen Texie’s eyes.“How does he know my name?” She hisses in my ear.
My curiosity pushes me to take the chance. A part of my brain doesn’t believe MSG would make such a public display of collecting me. Especially if he was planning to do me harm. And we have definitely become a public display. The other part of my brain wants to know if this is Modern Ares’s doing. And if it is, what can he possibly want from me now?
I frown. Is this the reason all the girls in mystery shows do such stupid things? If I was in a movie, would people be yelling at the screen,don’t do it, stupid girl,just to watch me do it anyway? Yeah, it looks like they would.
Texie grabs me by the arm. “We’re not actually going to go, are we?”
I shrug one shoulder in anI think sogesture.
She looks at me. “Are you kidding me right now?”
“What do you think is going to happen?” I ask partially because I’m curious what her answer will be. But mostly I’m trying to appear unafraid. I’m actually pretty grateful to this maxi dress right now. It is totally hiding my shaking knees.
“I think we might get killed.”
I guffaw. “You watch too many crime shows.”
“Maybe I should stay down here.” She smiles sweetly at me. “Because if we’re both killed, who’s going to tell the story back home?” She takes in a breath, and I know she is in this with me.
“Very funny.” I raise my brow at her. “I think he works for Modern Ares. What do you think? Do we take a chance?”
Her countenance completely changes. “You think so?” She scrutinizes the man more completely.
I nod.
“Oh, then yeah. I think we take the chance.”
Has she learned nothing from watching crime shows? She caved like a wet paper towel. And all because he has a pretty face.
I glance over and glare one last time at the man behind the counter. He gives me a big grin and a thumbs up. What is that all about?
The big man motions us to the bank of elevators and presses his hand to the scanner on the inside panel. He offers a smile before backing out into the lobby. I think he thinks his smile is helping the situation. It’s not.
