Page 26 of Down Knot Out
I glance at Chloe to find her inspecting the concrete pillars and parked cars like she expects athreat to leap out of the shadows. Something’s wrong beyond our transportation troubles.
“Three hours?” I confirm, watching as Chloe’s knuckles go white around the strap of her purse.
“Minimum.” Kyle’s sigh transmits as static. “Might be longer. Some issue with the propeller shaft. I’m at the marina now watching them pull it out of the water.”
I rub my temple where pain pulses like a second heartbeat. “All right. Call when you know more.”
“Will do. How’s your head?” The concern in Kyle’s voice warms me.
“Nothing serious. Just Post-Concussion Syndrome.” I keep my attention on Chloe, who keeps scanning the garage, her body tense as a drawn bow. “I’ll explain later.”
We disconnect, and I slip the phone back into my pocket, fingers brushing the hard object hidden there as I stride back to her.
“Well, it appears we have some time to kill after all.” I step closer to Chloe, lowering my voice. “That lunch offer still stands.”
She catches her bottom lip between her teeth as anxiety radiates from her, causing me to frown.
“Chloe.” I keep my voice steady despite the adrenaline now mixing with the pain in my skull. “What’s wrong?”
She releases her lip, the plump flesh now bruised. “My mother ambushed me earlier.”
“When?” Alarmed, I scan the garage myself now, searching for the dark pink hair that complements Chloe’s lighter shade.
“While you were back in x-ray.” She shifts her weight from foot to foot. “I’m pretty sure she’s having me followed.”
My jaw clenches so tight my teeth grind. “Let’s go to the car.”
I place my hand at the small of her back, not pushing but guiding, my touch light enough that she can step away if she wants.
She doesn’t. Instead, she moves with me, our steps quickening in unconscious synchrony as we weave between parked vehicles. The SUV we keep at the docks for town use sits in the far corner of the level, black and nondescript.
“Keys?” I hold out my hand, and Chloe fumbles in her purse.
When she drops them into my palm, her fingers brush mine, sending electricity up my arm despite the circumstances. I press the unlock button twice, watching as the lights flash.
I scan the area once more before I open the driver’s side door. “Are you okay to drive? Or do you need me to?”
“No, I’m fine.” She lets me help her up into the seat, needing to hop a little to get inside, and she doesn’t protest when I buckle her in before I shut the door.
I circle around, never taking my attention off our surroundings until I’m inside with the door locked.
Then I turn to Chloe. “Did she hurt you?”
“Only my emotions.” She rubs her wrist, where I spot red welts now that I’m looking.
Rage boils inside me, my head pounding harder. “Did you call the police?”
“No.” Her fingers curl around the steering wheel but she doesn’t start the engine. “But I threatened to.”
My heartbeat slows a little. “What did she want?”
Chloe’s bitter laugh holds no humor as she stares through the windshield at the concrete wall ahead. “Money, what else?”
The thought of Vivian Sinclair anywhere near Chloe infuriates me, but the disappointment on Chloe’s face, the hurt from a mother who only shows up when she wants something, has me aching to pull her into my arms. I grip the door handle instead, the metal cool beneath my palm.
“What did you tell her?” I ask, my tone neutral when I want to rage.
“That she’s not getting another penny from me.” Her voice turns hard as flint. “I’m done with her.”
