Page 49 of Be My Wife

“Ehem.”

My eyes burst open.

There’s a man standing in front of me. Pale skin. Head of thick, silver hair. Blue eyes that are staring right at me.

Thinking he’s lost, I step forward. “Can I help you?”

“Ma’am.” He gestures to a big black SUV waiting on the curb. It’s the latest model. There’s no way I’d take anything that looked like that into my Aunt Becca’s neighborhood.

I give the man a once-over. He’s wearing a black jacket over a crisp white shirt and black trousers. With fluid, elegant movements, he opens the back door and stands regally next to it.

My jaw drops.

Wow.

Are kidnappers getting that brazen now? Does he think I’ll just jump into his car if he just opens the door? What is he going to do next? Wave candy around?

I seize up, my eyes narrowing suspiciously. “Who are you?”

“Gerard Mane, ma’am.” He puts on a hat I didn’t notice he’d been holding. “Your driver.”

Driver? “Sorry. You must have me mixed up with someone else.”

“Mrs. Harrington?”

I pull my hand into a fist. “No. My name is Elizabeth. E-liz-a-beth.” I know I’m being unnecessarily heated. This guy is just trying to do his job, not get a lesson on basic name pronunciation.

His face remains impartial. “Mr. Levy informed me that I’m to report to work again.” He bows his head. “It would be an honor to serve you.”

I stare at him.

Hear the plea beneath the words.

He got his job back because of me.

He needs me to get in the car so he can keep it.

Damn.

My compassion stirs.

Even though the cake place is only three blocks away, I get into the car.

Gerard closes the door behind me. Jogs around. Gets into the other side.

As he pulls off into traffic, I ask, “Are we picking up Brogan too?”

“Mr. Harrington will meet us there separately.”

“I see.” So Brogan somehow wiggled out of the chauffeured ride.

Lucky man.

I study Gerard’s profile. “How long were you Ms. Eldrina’s driver?”

“Since the company went public, ma’am.”

“Please. It’s just Elizabeth.”

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