She was a damned idiot. She wasn’t a police detective tailing someone now, but rather, just a woman on a fool’s errand. Would she approach him with his beautiful date? Or wait until she left? Would she even leave or would they go back to his or her place? The thought made her stomach clench.
The town car headed into the trendy SoHo district, then stopped outside a restaurant. I really must be a masochist, she told herself as she parked across the street. Lucas stepped out followed by his date, and they headed inside. Petite Louve announced the elegantly-scrawled sign over the door. The restaurant sure was busy for Monday night. Several more cars arrived with people dressed to the nines. The last car that she observed was a gray Dodge Charger, and a woman wearing a red gown alighted by herself.
Sinking deep into her seat, she crossed her arms and let out a huff. She wanted to leave, but somehow, her guilt was making her stay. But then, she didn’t know what she was supposed to do. Crash the party? Force him to talk to her?
She slipped out of the car into the cold night, hoping that maybe some fresh air would help her brain think clearer. She stepped onto the sidewalk and began to pace. Go home, get to bed, and forget about Lucas Anderson. That’s what she should do, but her traitorous brain kept flashing images of Lucas and his date tangled up in the sheets.
A frustrated sound gurgled from her throat, and heat rose in her cheeks. She should—
The hairs on the back of her neck prickled. Someone was watching her.
Slowly, she pivoted. What. The. Hell.
A man was leaning against the hood of her car, arms folded casually over his chest, his brilliant blue eyes pinning her to the spot. A gasp escaped her mouth. At first, she thought he was an old man, with his silvery white hair, but when she looked at his smooth, wrinkle-free face, it was obvious he was only a few years older than her. Also, he was huge. Not just tall, but broad too. It was freezing out, but he was only wearing a white T-shirt. Tattoos snaked up his wrists and probably across his chest. How could she have missed hearing such a gigantic man approach her?
“What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same.” His voice was low and held a quiet menace. “Are you following the Andersons?”
“No.”
“Don’t lie to me.” There was a slight hint of an accent, one she couldn’t place.
“Are you one of the security guards from Fenrir?”
“I’ve been tasked to protect Ms. Anderson.”
“Ms. Anderson?”
“The sister of the man you follow.”
“I’m not following him,” she denied, but his raised brow told her he didn’t believe her.
“Are you on official business, Detective?”
“How the hell did you know—” She closed her mouth. If he was Fenrir Security, of course he knew about her. They probably had her photo up in their office like a wanted poster. There was no use lying to him. Besides, his eyes, the color of which reminded her of the domed rooftops of Santorini, drilled into her with a laser-like focus. “I just need to do something. I just don’t know what.” God, she sounded pathetic. She probably looked pathetic too, chasing after a man across Manhattan. A man on a date with another woman.
His stony expression changed. “You need him.”
“N-no!” she denied again. “I just … I should …” God, why was this so hard? And also, this man was a complete stranger to her, and she shouldn’t be discussing her business—work or otherwise—with him. “I’ll leave, okay? You can tell your bosses you got rid of me. Maybe they’ll give you a raise.” And you can afford a freakin’ coat.
“Do not.”
Huh?
“Detective, we have this saying where I’m from. That sometimes, you must take your heart in your teeth.”
“Excuse me?”
“It means you must be brave. Dare to do something.” He looked across the street, toward the restaurant.
How could this stranger read her like a book? Searching his face, she wondered if that look on his face was the same as hers—it was a look of longing. And that’s what he had recognized in her.
A kind of clarity washed over her. Maybe she should confront Lucas. As soon as possible. Her heart dropped like a rock to her stomach. She needed Lucas, but would he talk to her? Well, there was only one way to find out.
“Thank you,” she murmured. I hope you can be brave too, she added silently, then slipped back into her car. It would be humbling, but she was going to have to put on her big girl panties. And dare to do something.
Chapter Twelve
“Everything all right, Lucas?”
His companion stared up at him, her delicate brows drawn together. “Yes, Barbara, I’m fine.”
She smiled and ran her hand up his arm. “Then why do you seem like you’re a million miles away?” Her flowery scent curled around him like talons. “You haven’t even commented on how I look. This dress is the latest Armani from Milan, plus I just had my hair done.” She shook her head, her golden curls shimmering.
“You look beautiful, Barbara.” He forced himself to let his gaze linger longer. “As always.”
“Thank you for inviting me here,” she said, her eyes sparkling. “And here I thought you would never call me. I’m so happy to be meeting your parents.”
“You’ve met them before at clan functions,” he said.
“Yes, but not as your date.” She glanced around. “Especially at such an intimate family gathering with important guests.”
Her emphasis on the words date and family made him wince inwardly, but he pasted a smile on his face. “You’re welcome.”
He turned his attention back to his father, who was seated at the head of the table as he told a funny story about
