Page 25 of Crossing Paths
“Sometimes.” She lifted her shoulders in a shrug that wasn’t as nonchalant as she tried to make it look. “The number of break-ins has decreased since John’s friend installed the security system though.”
“Glad thebreak-inshavedecreased.” He shifted into drive almost violently, but the SUV rolled forward gently, so at least he wasn’t taking his rage out on the gas pedal. Still, Norah eyed him warily as he continued, “Is this the same security system Leifsen disarmed in order tokidnapyour sister?”
Something in his chilly words made her feel defensive, but she reminded herself he was angry because he didn’t want her in danger. She wasn’t sure why he cared about someone who was just a client, but she knew she’d hate it if someone hurt or threatened Dash. As the glass house, she wasn’t about to start chucking stones. Besides, it felt good to be valued.
“Yes.” She didn’t try to soften her bald honesty, even though his knuckles were white and she could see the muscles move in his cheek as he clenched and unclenched his jaw. “However, very few petty criminals have the same skills as Leifsen. I’m not sure how my mom managed to disarm it, but she’s always been wily about things like that.”
The sound he made, a sort of mutteredhmph, was decades too old for him, as if he’d been momentarily possessed by his grandpa. Norah curled her lips in to hold back her smile, sinceshe didn’t think he’d approve of her levity while they were having a Very Serious Conversation. At least it was on his end. Despite her best efforts to keep a straight face, she was pretty sure he knew she was amused, judging by the sideways glare he was giving her.
She cleared her throat. “We also established safety protocols after Cara was…taken.” It was still hard to say without her throat closing up, so she concentrated on the dashboard as she spoke, working hard to keep her voice steady. “We’re rarely home alone now.”
By his grunt, he wasn’t appeased by this.
“We also carry Tasers, pepper spray, and our phones at all times.”
Turning his head briefly, he eyed her as if looking for weapons. “You have all that on you now?”
“Yes.” Patting her pockets to reassure herself that they were still there, she felt a rectangular shape that reminded her of what else she carried. “Also a pocketknife in case we get restrained with zip ties. According to Cara, more people carry zip ties around than we think.”
The steering wheel squeaked in protest under Dash’s grip.
“Don’t break your nice car.”
“It’s fine.” From his tone, he didn’t thinkanythingwas fine, but Norah let that go. “I want a list.”
She blinked. “A list of what?”
“Every single…person who’s even thought about breaking into your home.”
“I’m not giving you a kill list. You already get to lightly beat up—I meanchat with—Leifsen if you find him first.” She eyedhis profile. It was odd, but she actually preferred looking at him from the left. From the right, he appeared to be intimidatingly perfect, someone she would never have had the courage to speak to that first day at the gym. His scars made him more human, less godlike. “You can swear around me, you know.”
It was his turn to pause. “What?”
“I can tell you’re self-bleeping. My ears won’t fall off if you curse.” The SUV turned into the lot at Dutch’s, distracting her. She’d been so focused on watching Dash that she hadn’t paid attention to their surroundings as he drove.
“Maybe they won’t fall off, but you don’t need to hear that…stuff.”
Unimpressed, she made a scoffing sound. “Women swear. We don’t need to be protected from hearing bad words.”
“I try not to swear in front of anyone.” He parked and turned off the SUV before shifting to look at her fully. “My gran was a stickler for manners.”
“Your gran?” This was the first personal thing he’d shared with her, and it felt like he’d given her something fragile and precious.
“Yeah, my little sister and I moved in with her when I was twelve and my dad went to prison.”
Norah blinked as she processed that short, matter-of-fact statement just loaded with information. “My dad’s been to prison too. Several times.”
He dipped his head in a nod, and she suspected he’d already known that.
“Your mom?” she asked.
“Took off soon after my sister was born. I was two.”
It was Norah’s turn to nod. She was careful to keep any trace of sympathy or pity from showing, since she hated that reaction when other people found out about her parents. “Do you ever feel like it’s genetically inevitable that you’ll commit a crime and be locked up?”
He paused, his usual scowl easing into bemusement. “No?”
Just me then.
