“Because I love old Bitsy. She’s been good to me,” Nick said before his grin widened. “Besides, when the big EMP strike hits, your and Mav’s fancy electronic cars won’t be nothing but pretty lawn ornaments, while this beast will be hauling your asses around.”
“It’s okay. If it hits, I’ll most likely be up in the air, falling to the ground.”
“Well, that’s a positive way to look at things,” Nick said with a roll of his eyes.
The truck roared to life, and they headed from the parking lot in the direction of the urgent care center, where the staff knew the Armstrong brothers by name. Injuries tended to happen when you were adrenaline junkies.
When his brother stopped talking, Cooper reached into his pocket and pulled out the velvet box he’d been holding on to for three days.
Unexpectedly, he had fallen in love with Stormy. And though she was upset with him right now, when she was calm and the two of them were talking in a reasonable manner, they could get on with their lives.
That improved his mood. Why wouldn’t it work out?
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
What was she going to do? Stormy was so flustered she couldn’t even think. Instead of even trying, she hurried back to the house and called a cab. She had a few items to grab; the rest she didn’t care about. She needed time to come to terms with the situation and she needed to do it away from Cooper.
They were going to talk again, but she couldn’t even imagine looking at his face right now. Had this all been his way of getting money? Didn’t he have enough? How much did one person need?
She walked into the house, then rushed to her room and packed what she would need for the next couple weeks. She’d send a friend for the rest later.
Stepping into the kitchen, she pulled out a pen and paper and jotted down a quick note. She then took the picture of the ultrasound out of her purse. He had a right to know, even if she didn’t want to share this joy with him.
Just as she stood up, she heard the front door slam, and her heart lodged in her throat. No! This wasn’t happening.
“Stormy!”
A sigh of relief washed through her. Though she didn’t want to face any of the Armstrong brothers right now, she’d rather deal with Nick than Cooper.
She stayed quiet, hoping he wouldn’t think she was there. When she thought she heard him go up the stairs, she left the note and picture and then rushed to the front door.
“Stormy? What’s up with the bag?” Nick asked, blocking her escape.
“Hey, Nick. I . . . um . . . I’ve got to go,” she said, trying to decide if she could rush him to get past.
“Go where?” He wasn’t budging.
“I just have to go,” she told him.
“Stormy . . .” He seemed at a loss for words.
“Please . . .” Her voice choked. “No!” She pushed past him, and in his surprise he let her go.
She rushed out to the waiting cab, nearly weeping again, she was so grateful it was there. Getting into the backseat, she told the driver to just go. He was confused a moment, but then he pulled out onto the street, not asking any questions.
She told him the address of where they were going after he was a couple blocks away from the house. She leaned back, grateful to have gotten away in one piece.
“What the hell?” The cab driver suddenly swerved, making Stormy’s stomach heave. “I’m sorry ma’am. There’s a problem.”
She looked out the window and was horrified to see Nick’s truck blocking them. Had he chased the cab down?
“Stormy, come with me!”
He’d thrown open her door and was standing there looking fierce.
“Nick, what in the world are you doing?”
“I’m keeping you from making one hell of a mistake,” he said, reaching in and taking her arm.
“Ma’am, do I need to call the police?” the cabbie asked, only looking half interested in what was going on.
“No, you don’t need to call the flipping police,” Nick snapped. “Do I look like a maniac?”
The cab driver’s brows rose up as if telling Nick that yes, indeed he did.
“No. You don’t need to call the police,” Stormy said before things got too out of control.
Nick tossed some money at the cabbie, then grabbed her bag and her arm and led her from the cab and to his truck. She reluctantly allowed him to drag her behind him.
She climbed into his dirty truck. “Are you kidnapping me?” she asked, getting some of her bite back.
“Yes,” he said, not worried about her temper.
“Well, since you got rid of my ride, then you can take me where I’m going,” she told him. Even though she wasn’t sure she wanted any of the Armstrong men to know where she was going, she wasn’t left with much choice now. She could go to the train station. Then he wouldn’t have a clue.