All traces of humor left his face. “And you don’t know what you’re dealing with here in Haven. If you’re not careful, you could get hurt.” His thumb smoothed over my arm. “And it will be a whole lot worse than a little scratch.”
“I’m not scared.” Not of this town and not of him. Not really.
Then I realized…those were almost the same words I’d said to Granny Helen.
In the next instant, the guy totally blew my mind because he said, “Brent thinks I’m interested in you, so he’s trying to beat me to the punch.”
Wait, what? I did a quick interpretation and my jaw sagged a bit. “You’re saying he’s asking me out because—”
“Because he thinks he’s taking something I want.”
My breath caught in my throat.
His eyes glittered at me. “He’s using you, Anna,” he said flatly. “Don’t let him do that.”
I wet my lips. “I don’t let anyone use me.” But that was a lie. I had before…the cops in Chicago had used me on their cases, and once, my Dad had used my difference. Yet hearing these words from Rafe, well, they pissed me off. No, he pissed me off. “And I’m guessing the fact that maybe he just likes me never once crossed your mind?”
I could actually hear his teeth snap together. “I know him well,” he gritted, “Brent can be a real ass.”
“And so can you.”
He blinked. “I’m trying to help you!”
“Really?” It didn’t so much look that way from where I was standing. “From what I’ve gathered at school, Brent’s the good guy, the class hero. Everyone seems to like him.” I stared back at him. “People aren’t quite so complimentary about you.”
“That so?” He took a stalking step toward me.
I didn’t back up. I was too mad then. “Yeah, that’s so.”
“Then why are you here with me?”
Because I’m an idiot. “Because I needed a ride, and if you don’t mind, I’d really like to finish up that ride and get home.” And away from you. I didn’t say that part. I was being a lady, but I figured the words must be pretty clear to read on my face.
“Fine.”
I marched by him. My shoulder brushed his.
“I don’t want to see you hurt.” The words were growled at me.
I frowned at him. “No one’s going to hurt me.” Then, because I had to ask—just couldn’t let it go, I said, “Brent thinks you want me? Do you…um, I mean…” Great, so smooth. “What do you—”
He shook his head and that cut off my stumbling words. His blue gaze seemed to burn me, but then he simply told me, “I can’t.”
What kind of answer was that?
He headed back to the motorcycle and climbed on.
I guess it was the only answer I was getting.
I can’t. Perhaps it was better than him saying, “You suck,” but I still took it the same way. I climbed on the bike behind him, and I tried to leave some space between us. “Just get me home.” I pulled on the helmet.
I thought Rafe said something else, but I couldn’t hear him. Maybe I didn’t want to hear him.
He spun the motorcycle around. A shower of dust and dirt rose in our wake. Then the bike pushed forward, and we snaked off that little path. The main road curved and shifted, and with every move, I had to inch a little closer to Rafe, had to hold on a little tighter. He was driving faster than he should, and I wondered if he was doing that so I had to hold tight.
We cleared one more curve, and then I saw the flashing police lights. Two deputy cars. My dad stood near his vehicle, and he glanced up at the sound of the motorcycle’s snarling engine.
I knew trouble when I saw it. So did my dad.
Rafe braked, and yanked off his helmet. Much, much slower, I removed mine. “What’s going on?” Rafe demanded and the worry in his voice gave me a moment’s pause.
My dad’s cold gaze raked over him, then came to rest on me. His blond eyebrows rose, and I knew I was toast. “Nice bus, Anna.”
“I, um, missed the bus?” I tried for innocence.
Those eyebrows didn’t lower.
I tried again. “He’s our neighbor, Dad, he was just giving me a ride—”
“I know exactly who Rafe is.” Sometimes, icicles could drip from my dad’s voice.
Other voices rose and fell, and two deputies emerged from the brush. They were carrying a big bag, sort of like the kind that folks would put their suits in when they went on trips. Long, black, thick.
My stomach clenched.
“What’s in the bag?” Rafe demanded.
I knew what was in the bag, and I suspected Rafe knew, too. I climbed off the motorcycle. Now I could see a few more people at the scene. A forest ranger was on the right, near the edge of the road. He was talking into his phone.