your chance.” He liked to finish what he started. And besides, he was sort of enjoying it.
Resigned, Molly crossed her legs and arms and shrugged.
Prompting her, Dare said, “You argued over the rims? There at the shop?”
“More or less. When he flat out said that I could afford them, and he wanted them, I just laughed. I mean, what do I want with rims? It’s not so much that he asked me to buy him things, but how he did it. Just … demanding almost. And then he got furious, causing a big scene.”
Dare shook his head.
“It was ridiculous and embarrassing, and when I told him to knock it off, he stormed out.”
“Must have been an uncomfortable ride home.” Although he figured that in most situations, Molly could hold her own.
She snorted. “I wouldn’t know. I took a cab.”
“He left without you?”
“He was still railing when I left the store to follow him, so I refused to get in the car until he calmed down. Calming down wasn’t his priority, so, yeah, he left me standing there.” She let out a long breath. “And for me, that was that. Later, Adrian tried apologizing, but I’m not big on public humiliation.”
“Few people are.”
“There’d been little things before then, and it all added up. The scene in the car shop was enough for me to realize how his true colors had begun to show once I started making more money with my writing. I made a choice not to be used.”
At least she hadn’t been in love with him, Dare thought. A woman in love didn’t let a few money disagreements, regardless of how unpleasant they might be, end things. “All done.”
She ran a hand over her hair, then looked at the small pile of hair on the table, comprised of the knots they’d pulled free and had to remove from the comb.
“Looks like we killed a rat.”
He almost smiled—and his cell rang. While he answered the call from Chris, Molly tidied up again, then took the brush he’d bought and went into the bathroom. He heard the blow-dryer turn on with a loud whir. She closed the door to spare him the noise.
“What do you have for me, Chris?”
“Your ticket, plus one, leaving SDM in three hours on a private Beechjet with seating for seven. I know that’s quick, but you said ASAP, right? Can you make that okay?”
Chris knew to always lead with the details. “You checked out the pilots?”
“Yup. Squeaky-clean records for both of them.”
“Then, yeah, we’ll be there.”
“One of the pilots gave me his number, so take it down just in case. He said with what you’re paying him, he can be flexible.”
Dare shook his head. Chris took far too much enjoyment in spending his money. After he’d written down the pilot’s name and cell number and stowed the paper in his pocket, Dare decided to clue Chris in. “Just so you know, I’m bringing plus one home with me.”
Chris fell silent, but it didn’t last long. “No shit? A girl?”
“Woman.” Dare again looked out at the parking lot. The truck was gone, but he didn’t trust it. He sensed they were being watched, and he fucking well didn’t like it.
“And you’re bringing her here?”
Yeah, unheard of. He’d kept his home sacrosanct from his business, but…. “It’s complicated.” Molly was nowhere near ready to travel yet. The long trip back to Kentucky would be grueling for her. But right now, it was the only way he knew to keep her safe until he got things figured out. “She’s hiring me to protect her.”
“From what?”
Dare dropped the curtain and looked toward the bathroom door. He pictured her in there, worn out but determined to get her hair dried. She was an enigma with a huge problem.
He shook his head, more at himself than for any other reason. “Honestly, Chris, I wish to hell I knew.”
CHAPTER FOUR
WHEN MOLLY EMERGED looking like a different woman, Dare did a double take. Her hair was … really nice; not the plain brown he’d assumed but a light brown with red and gold highlights that looked natural instead of salon-created.
Seeing it semi-fixed, soft and curling around her face, altered her appearance drastically, giving her a very feminine edge that was only enhanced by the vulnerability still visible from her bruises and tiredness.
Who knew a woman’s hair played such a major role in her looks?
It was, Dare supposed, one of the many secrets to female routines. Not that he had a lot of experience with that, since he’d never been involved with any one woman long enough to dwell on her personal-grooming habits.
With the limited means at hand, Molly’s hair was far from polished, hanging loose and shining to just below her shoulders. As Dare stared at her, she tucked one side behind her ear.
To cover his surprise, Dare said, “We’re flying out in three hours.”
Her eyes flared. “Okay. But … going where, exactly?”
As if he dragged home rescue victims on a regular basis, Dare shrugged. “My place, first. I have a few things I have to do at home. Then I’ll accompany you to your place.”
Taking his words like a blow, she went to the bed and gingerly sat at the edge. “Oh. Okay.”
“I’ll be with you.”
She tried a smile that fell flat.
“Molly. You have to go back to your place sooner or later, right?”
“Of course I do.” She put her shoulders back in telling reaction. “I need to talk with my editor and agent. I have … plants to water.” She chewed her lip. “I need my flash drives and my own clothes and …” She shook her head. “Going back will be good.”
Had she considered refusing? Dare frowned, then retrieved the first-aid kit from his bag. Given his line of work, he carried a more extensive supply of medicines and bandages than what was found in an average first-aid kit. He dragged a chair over and turned it to face her.
When he sat, he looked at her and saw again that she avoided his gaze. “That’s it? Wholehearted acceptance, but no questions?”
She inhaled, expanding that impressive chest so that she filled out the oversized shirt. Her gaze skittered up to meet his. “You don’t seem real forthcoming with information, and I don’t want to do anything to make you regret your decision to stick with me.”
An upfront answer. He should have known where her thoughts had taken her. “You think you’ve been a big imposition?”
She
