Love You Madly(20)

What kind of damage could that do to a person?

Turn someone into a completely rotten, mean-spirited person? Who treated everyone like shit for…what? Maybe to push them away? She’d flinched when he mentioned the pantsing incident from high school. Had been unable to meet his gaze. Could Her Royal Highness actually feel guilty over the whole debacle?

His limited understanding of psychology told him that sometimes the biggest bullies act out of their own insecurity and fear. Not that he was excusing her vicious behavior, but maybe…he could understand it.

Then there was that moment when she’d left his car tonight, her eyes dark pools of sadness. Forlorn. Hell. She clearly didn’t want to be alone. Most people would have a group of friends or family to help see them through. He gathered that Meredith was pretty much alone.

Well, what the hell did she expect when she made bitchiness an art form? You reap what you sow and all that shit, right?

So why was he softening toward the strong, independent brunette?

A lone figure appeared around the corner. Female, he quickly discerned from the sway of the hips and long denim-covered legs, even with the head bowed low and covered by a hoodie.

The temperature was still in the upper eighties—who in their right mind would be wearing a sweatshirt?

The figure drew closer, and he could make out enough details to realize exactly who it was.

Idiot.





Chapter Six

What was she thinking coming out here? Alone? Yes, it was Utah, not Detroit or a back alley in Queens, but there was still a lot of illegal activity that went on. Dangerous activity.

Which she was going to discover from the look of the group of guys she was about to pass. They called something out to her, and she only tucked her head farther down, ignoring them. Not going to help her case.

He swung the car door open and climbed out, unsure of his plan, just keen on getting her out of harm’s way.

“Marguerite?” he shouted and headed toward her. She and everyone looked his way. “What the hell are you doing out here?” he shouted angrily and threw his hands up.

He could see Meredith’s uncertainty and after another moment’s hesitation, she reluctantly walked over. The group, seeing his approach, sniggered. Another car crept up to the curb, and their attention was diverted when a dark-haired girl leaned out the window, smiling. One of the guys strutted over to her car while the rest shuffled farther down the sidewalk.#p#分页标题#e#

In case any of the group was still watching, he made a show of gripping Meredith’s arm like a jealous boyfriend and drew her back toward the car. He’d save his real anger for once they were both safely inside.

She paused outside Bonnie’s passenger door and looked over at him in confusion. He climbed inside and waited for her to follow. She might actually have smiled before she opened the door and dropped into the seat. “This is an interesting upgrade from your previous ride.”

“I’m borrowing it.” He waited another moment then added with practiced patience that he didn’t feel, “Do you mind telling me what you think you were doing coming down here alone?”

“Excuse me?” she asked in her most haughty tone. “Am I missing something? Last I checked, I’m a competent adult and I can go anywhere I damn well please. The risk is mine. I might ask the same thing of you. Why is it okay for you to come down here alone and not me?”

“Seriously? You think you could have handled yourself with that group of kids if I hadn’t arrived? What would you have done, glared at them to death?”

“I have a Taser—if it became necessary. And it wouldn’t have. I can handle myself.”

“A Taser? Where the hell—” Realizing the argument was going nowhere, he took another tactic. “Do you remember promising me just a few hours ago that you would let me run this investigation? Because, if I’m not mistaken, you came down here alone to try and find Darcy. Without notifying me and potentially putting the investigation at risk.”

“Yes. I did, but…” She sighed and slid the hoodie off and looked out the window. Her voice turned resigned, not angry and defiant like he expected. “I went home and tried to sleep, but all I could think about was how my daughter could be somewhere crying, hurt, scared, and alone and needing me. I couldn’t sleep, and I couldn’t just stay home and do…nothing. I had to get out, and the only place I could think of going was the last place anyone saw her. Something that occurred to you, too, or you wouldn’t be here. Right?”

He let his anger, as short-lived as it was, go and nodded. “How about next time you decide to explore any new leads or possibilities, you still give me a call? You need to make sure you have someone who knows where you are if there’s trouble. Deal?”