Sleek Comes the Night Read online

“I can find my own way!” Mira snapped as soon as they were beyond earshot.

  “And I’ll get blamed when you abscond.” He stomped the garden path with poor grace. She snickered and he misunderstood, accustomed to explaining his vocabulary. “It means escape.”

  “I know what it means. Did you win the spelling-bee when you were a kid?”

  “Something like that. I got a trophy. It’s better than what you got.”

  She failed to rise to the bait, lapsing back into moody silence. He fought curiosity, refusing to engage her so she could flay him with more insults or nasty scowls. They rounded the house via English cottage shrubbery, embedded lights waking several steps ahead of their progress.

  Nic admired the black ‘Benz sports-car stopped at a wayward angle next to his father’s dull work sedan. Mira proceeded around the bonnet and slid onto buttery upholstery. He decided to torture her, just a tad.

  “You going to return that coat?” he demanded through the open door. She threw knives at him and commenced shrugging it off, a shoulder and the enticing curve of half a breast too rapidly exposed. “Quit! It was a joke. Did you get done for public nudity?”

  “I murdered a boy who pissed me off,” she snarled, redressing a beat before the indecent.

  The alluring image branded his retinas. She was mind-blowingly endowed. Shame about the personality. Nic pressed his lips together to gather composure.

  “I don’t give a crap if you make it to the South Pole,” he said after a pause. “You’re the most obnoxious person I’ve ever met.” Who cares if you’re the hottest, most sizzling babe in history. “Even if they flog me, it’ll be worth putting distance between us.”

  The frostiness thawed briefly and she actually looked satisfied, crossing her arms as if embracing herself. “I hope that’s a promise.”

  “I never break my word.” Nic turned heel, fuming.

  What had he done to deserve this? He made it to the blessed front door, only to realise even if he had a key, his blasted brother dead-bolted it. He thumped lacquered wood, mentally begging anything divine to give him a break. A gust of wind blew leaves to his feet and the sturdy door whispered ajar.

  “Sam?”

  Nic started with shock, positive it had been locked and chained. There was no-one on the other side. Inside the dark foyer, he pivoted using the door for camouflage, and peered out into the night. The Mercedes had vanished without a sound. There didn’t seem time. He experienced a mix of relief and puzzlement. At least the irksome passenger was gone. Hopefully for good.

  ***

  Chapter Four