She crossed her arms over her chest. “Look, all I need is someone to follow me to the hotel. And well, I’d really appreciate it if you could walk me in but I could always have hotel security do that if you’re too busy.”
“I have a better idea. Why don’t you take a ride with me?”
She shrugged. “I’d rather not leave the BMW, but I suppose I could make Connor come get it tomorrow.”
“Who’s Connor?”
“He’s the guy who’s supposed to be protecting me but was being a dick so I ditched him.”
The cop gripped her elbow and herded her toward his squad car. “Turn around,” he directed. “This is for your protection as well as mine. You aren’t being arrested. I’m detaining you for further questioning.”
Before she realized what was going on, he had her handcuffed and was stuffing her into the backseat of his car. Damn, but the man was good.
But he’d handcuffed her! She stared at him in outrage. “What the hell did you cuff me for?”
He shut the door and then proceeded to talk on his radio. A few seconds later, he opened his door and slid into the driver’s seat.
Realization hit her. “You’re the crazy stalker, aren’t you? You’re not even a real cop. Have you been following me?”
He eyed her in the rearview mirror as he pulled away. “Lady, you came to me.”
“Oh. Yeah.”
Okay, so he wasn’t the crazy guy. Which meant he thought she was crazy. She flopped her head back against the seat and stared upward. Helpless laughter escaped. Oh well, at least she was safe!
While it irritated Connor to leave immediately because he didn’t want Lyric to think she had him on a leash, he was being paid to protect her, which meant he had to go chasing after her when she pulled a stupid stunt.
Hot-wiring a rental and taking off on her own qualified.
He leaned against the hood of Micah’s truck and waited impatiently as Angelina was fussed over by Faith and Julie. Micah walked out ahead of Angelina and stood beside Connor.
“You realize I’ve waited a long time for this,” Micah said casually.
Connor raised an eyebrow. “Do I even want to know what you’re talking about?”
Micah chuckled. “Being able to give you shit over a woman.”
Connor scowled. “You say that like this situation can be compared to yours or Nathan’s. Lyric is a job.”
“Uh-huh. She’s a beautiful woman.”
“And? That matters why?”
Micah shrugged. “Just an observation. She’s beautiful and brassy. A little unconventional.”
“A little?”
“I’d say she’s perfect for you,” Micah said with a shit-eating grin.
Connor held up his middle finger. “Just remember. I didn’t want this job. I thought it would be perfect for you, but Pop threw a fit because he said Angelina wouldn’t like it. Same for Nathan and Gray because their women wouldn’t be happy.” He snorted. “So I get stuck with a woman who drives me crazy so it doesn’t interfere with your love life.”
Micah’s grin broadened. “I appreciate that.”
Angelina hurried up. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to take so long. I know you have to go, Connor.”
Micah pulled her up against him and kissed the top of her head. “Yes, by all means. He’s chomping at the bit to get back, so let’s get on the road.”
“Fuck you,” Connor grumbled as he climbed into the extended cab.
It was a good bit out of the way for Micah to drive Connor to the downtown hotel, and Connor fumed the entire way. They were just a few blocks from the hotel when Connor’s cell phone rang.
He fished it out of his pocket and frowned when he looked at the number. It wasn’t in his contact list but the number was a local one.
“Connor Malone,” he said shortly.
“Mr. Malone, this is Sergeant Willis with the Houston Police Department. I believe you know a Lyric Jones?”
Connor closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose between his fingers. “What’s she done?” he asked wearily.
Twenty minutes later, Connor climbed out of Micah’s truck in front of the police station where Lyric was being held.
“You sure you don’t want us to wait?” Micah asked.
Connor shook his head. “I’ll call a cab. You and Angelina go home. This could take a while.”
“Okay, man. Let me know if you need anything.”
Connor waved and stalked toward the entrance. At the front desk, he asked for Sergeant Willis, and the clerk jerked a thumb over his shoulder.
Connor walked through the swinging gate to the array of desks separated by thin partitions. He stopped and stared when he caught sight of Lyric sitting on top of one of the desks holding court among a half dozen policemen.
Her legs dangled and she was talking and waving her hands in animated fashion. Her cheek dimpled with a smile and her eyes twinkled. It dawned on him that she hadn’t smiled much and certainly not so unreservedly.
Micah was right. She was fucking beautiful.
Her eyes dimmed when she caught sight of him and she crossed her arms over her chest as she stared past the cops. They turned and followed her gaze to where Connor stood, and he got the impression he wasn’t a very popular guy right now.
He folded his arms in an imitation of hers and cast a baleful look in her direction.
One of the cops, a guy who made Connor feel small, and Connor wasn’t a small guy, headed in Connor’s direction, a frown etched into his face.
“You the guy who’s supposed to be looking out for Lyric?”
Connor sighed and nodded. “You Sergeant Willis?”
“Yeah, I am. Lyric said you were being a dickhead so she took off. She stopped me to ask me for an escort. Said some crazy stalker is after her.”
“Well, at least she had the sense to ask for help,” Connor muttered.
“She shouldn’t be out on her own.”
Connor stared the officer down. “Try telling her that.”
Sergeant Willis nodded. “We did. We sat her down after we figured out who she was. We gave her a Breathalyzer. I thought she’d been drinking.”
Connor chuckled. “She’s a handful.”
“She’s nice. Not at all uppity like some of the magazines say. She gave all the boys autographs and let them take pictures with her. She even offered us tickets to the rodeo the night she’s performing.”
Leave it to Lyric to make conquests and make Connor look like a first-class asshole for not falling under her spell. She could be positively charming when she wanted to be.
“Can I take her home now?” Connor asked cautiously.
Sergeant Willis hesitated. “If she wants to go.”
Connor scowled. “She’ll go. She’s been enough trouble for one day.”
He stepped around the sergeant and strode to where Lyric was still sitting on the edge of the desk.
“Are you ready to go?”
Lyric frowned. “No. I don’t want to go anywhere with you. You’re fired. These nice officers have offered to take me back to my hotel.”
Connor sighed and resisted the urge to wrap his hands in her hair and kiss her right there on the desk. The last thing he needed was to get arrested.
“You can’t fire me, Lyric. We’ve been through this before.”
Her frown grew fiercer and she glanced toward Sergeant Willis. “He can’t make me do anything, right?”
Sergeant Willis shook his head. “No, ma’am, he can’t. If you want him gone, say the word. You can even get a restraining order.”
“Oh, for the love of God, Lyric. Be reasonable.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Me be reasonable? You’re the asshole here. I’ve been accommodating. I’ve done everything you asked me to. I even wore this ridiculous outfit so I wouldn’t offend any of your friends. I agreed to let you stay in my hotel room. How am I the unreasonable one here?”