Page 87 of With A Little Luck
There’s no reason she would be sitting in abject terror unless…
Fuck my life.
This day is never going to end.
Where is Knox?
He’s built a much better rapport with the quirky woman.
I knock again, this time with more force.
If she attempted to put the vehicle in reverse, she would run over my feet if I didn’t jump back.
“Sutton, roll down the window.” It’s firm but not a bark.
I’ll take that route next if necessary.
She jerks to the side and slams her finger on the button to open the window. “I didn’t see anything—I swear!”
Well, that was the least convincing lie I’ve ever heard, and I’ve listened to some real pieces of shit try to bargain right before I took their lives. Oh yes, I’ve heard many lies in an attempt to save themselves, but somehow this woman is the most transparent of them all. If she truly believes her life is in danger, I would think she could put a little more effort into being convincing.
I quirk an eyebrow.
She twists, grabbing something from the passenger seat and holding it out the window. “Your friend forgot this. That’s the only reason I followed you. I mean, I was going to give him my number, but…”
Taking the beanie from her outstretched hand, I mentally weigh the chances Quincy will forgive me if I have to kill her work friend. At least, to my knowledge, they’re only coworkers. I don’t consider those I’m forced to be friendly with for work purposes to be actual confidants, but Quincy is especially soft.
I don’t believe she would take it well if Sutton went missing. Dropping the beanie into the top of the small jewelry bag, I open the car door and grab the tops of my dress pants at the knees, pulling them up enough that I’m able to squat down.
Christ.
She must be traumatized if she put on her seat belt only to sit in the car for at least thirty minutes without ever leaving.
“Can I be honest with you, Sutton?”
Her eyes widen, and she leans deeper into the vehicle in an attempt to get away from me. “I won’t call the cops or anything. It was clear you were just defending yourself. I didn’t even really see anything. Oh God, except all that blood.”
“Listen to me carefully,” I say, forcing every bit of alpha command that I’m capable of into my words. “You care about Quincy. It’s easy to see. You’ve been a great friend to her when no one else at work has given her the time of day.” Okay, that’s just my personal observation, but I’m astute. “Quincy is tangled up in something that she had no part of getting herself into. I can’t give you specific details, but I can assure you that I’m here to keep her safe. If you were to turn me in, I wouldn’t be around to protect her.”
“Wait, what?” Sutton’s jaw falls. “You told me you haven’t seen her.”
“Yes, well, I was attempting to keep you out of their line of sight,” I say calmly. “Quincy is safe. I will make sure you speak to her, but for her sake, and the baby’s, I would appreciate keeping what happened earlier between us. She doesn’t need any additional stress.”
“I know how to keep my mouth shut,” she says, nodding repeatedly. “Please don’t kill me.”
“I don’t harm innocent people.” I shove my glasses up with my free hand. “Quincy is being hunted because of her association to her daughter’s father. She’s done nothing wrong. They’ve found her guilty simply because of her proximity to him.”
And me, too, but I keep that morsel of information to myself.
“Where is she?”
“She’s close and safe. Hartley is with her.” I offer a polite smile. “The type of men we’re dealing with are not deterred by cops or laws. They planned an execution in the middle of town…”
“But there were others watching your back,” she says, like she’s trying to force the pieces together.
I nod. “And I’m lucky they were.”
“I don’t want Quincy to get hurt.” Her voice wavers, and her eyes dart away.
