I let her walk all the way to what I guessed was her car, a brand-new Audi with the highest trim level. Marco’s little princess wasn’t so little after all. I’d barely kept my composure when she’d entered the room, figurative guns blazing.

I said nothing. Until she reached for the door handle and it clicked without opening. Her purse strap fell down her arm and knocked her off balance. Holding my new set of keys in the air, I put on my most innocent smile and called to her, “I believe we’re taking this one.” With my head, I directed her attention to the Avalanche I had brought around front while I’d waited for her to get ready.

“I don’t think so.” Vanessa snatched at the door handle again, to no avail. I clicked the fob in my hand.

“It seems your father equipped me with your spare as well.” I couldn’t contain the near giddiness that I felt, and I’m sure she could see it from all the way across the yard.

“You have got to be kidding me.” She didn’t budge.

“No, ma’am. Boss’s orders.” With my other hand in my pocket, I pushed the button to unlock the Avalanche and grandly opened the passenger door for her. “Your carriage awaits, princess.”

I saw her muttering something under her breath, but she did so while slowly crossing the circular driveway to the Avalanche. However, she didn’t come to the passenger side, where I still held the door. Instead, she marched defiantly to the driver’s side and climbed in. Considering it a win, I said nothing and climbed in.

Now, this close to her, I couldn’t help but catch the flowery scent of her perfume filling the cab of my truck. I tried to distract myself by looking down, but that just brought me to her toned, tan leg, her muscle tense as she floored it.

“This thing is a monstrosity. You’re lucky I haven’t been outside in a week.” The sound of her voice, even through this facade of anger, had a lyrical quality to it. I wondered if she sang but knew better than to say a word. Instead, I let her peel out of the driveway, narrowly missing the garish, iron gate that was slow to open.

We rode in silence for a few minutes as I allowed her to familiarize herself with the controls of the large truck. I was sure she’d never driven anything like this before. She handled it masterfully, though. I caught myself being impressed and a little turned on at the way she kept her right hand resting on the gear shift. I absently watched her fingers curve around its head.

“…all along, didn’t you?”

I perked my head up in a ‘come again’ motion.

“I said, you knew we’d be riding in the same car all along, didn’t you?” She’d caught me, but she didn’t look annoyed.

“I would never separate myself from the target,” I recovered, scanning the perimeter.

“First I’m a girl; now I’m a target.” She turned her head, and what had started out as a scowl turned to a smirk. “Demoted already?” Now, the cat-playing-with-her-food look was unmistakable.

I opened my mouth to give her some witty retort when I saw it. Out of the corner of my eye, a black Cadillac with limo tint. I abandoned our game and hit the speaker button on the steering wheel.

“Hey!” She jumped at my reach into her personal space.

“Call Cruz,” I annunciated.

“Calling Cruz on cell,” the car responded.

“What’s going on?” Vanessa’s eyes darted around.

“Sir?” Cruz picked up on the first ring.

“Cruz, did you get the ID on that Caddy? It’s back.”

“Not yet, Martin. Should be any minute now. Should we proceed with plan B?”

“Affirmative.” I hit the ‘End Call’ button on the dashboard screen. “I need you to turn left on Madison.”

Her eyes grew wide. “That’s in the wrong direction. What’s going on?”

“A black car with dark, tinted windows is following us. I saw it on the way in, and it’s back.” I cleared my face of any expression. “We have it under control, but I need you to drive to the parking garage on Canal, by the convention center.”

“Um… OK.” She bit her lip.

“You’re doing fine,” I reassured her and saw the air go out of her. Not as tough as you look. “Have you seen the car before?”

“No. But I was always trying to lose my dad’s goons—” She inhaled. “Sorry, I just…”

“I’ve been called worse.”

“I have to call the restaurant if we’re taking a detour.” Vanessa tried to keep the annoyed tone in her voice, but she was rattled. This was real for her now.

“Sure.” I dialed the number she gave me. From the change in Vanessa’s voice and the way her fingers tightened around the gear shift, I assumed this was the Ophelia she didn’t like. She gave instructions for the woman to pack up specific things from her office, mostly personal items. I caught her emphasizing the words ‘my mother’s’ this or that and also assumed this Ophelia and ‘her father’ were the reason for her anger.

Minutes later, we pulled into the parking garage, and I guided Vanessa to the empty space beside my Rover. Quickly, I grabbed our belongings from the backseat of the Avalanche and returned the keys to their hiding space under the wheel well. “Come on.” I hurried her along.

“Great. From one gas guzzler to another. Haven’t you heard of MPGs?”

“Yeah, Rhonda here thinks they’re delicious; now come on.”

“Rhonda Rover?” She chuckled under her breath. “Of course.” She got her jibe in but didn’t protest getting into the truck, or moving to the passenger seat this time.

As we pulled out of the parking lot, slowly as to not draw attention to ourselves, I petted the dashboard. “Don’t listen to her, baby. She’s just jealous.”