Free Spark by Aliyah Burke Page B

ask
me to.”
    Her clit throbbed, and she struggled to find moisture
for her throat. “I’ll keep that in mind.” Her lighthearted teasing
fell away at the sight of the tinted windowed car behind her dead
one.
    “You are about to panic. Those men after you?” He
slowed the big tow truck.
    She had to answer him or he would think she was
certifiable. “Yes.” Her voice was small and shaky. A fact she
despised.
    “Avert your head and put on the ball cap.” He slid
his across the seat after removing it from his head. Vance wheeled
about in the road and backed up the rest of the way, giving her
more of a chance to cover up.
    “Stay here,” he ordered, hopping out.
    She had no intention of going anywhere. As much as
she could, she observed him. He’d not pressed the issue of them
being after her. Just went with it.
    She couldn’t explain her relief at that.
     
    Vance strode toward the Chevy Impala. Only a couple
years old, there were a few rust spots on the blue pain. Rental. “Can I help you gentlemen?” he asked, drawing on his
gloves as he neared.
    “Where’s the person who was driving this car?” One of
the trio—the tallest—barked his question.
    “No idea.” He made a perusal around the car, wanting
to inspect the tires and tow ability or if he’d have to return with
his flatbed. Looked well enough to tow.
    The man crossed his arms as Vance returned to his
truck for the sling. “So, who’s in the truck with you?”
    Vance lifted an eyebrow. “My woman.” He turned on the
motor.
    “Who did you say?” he yelled.
    Vance responded in kind. “My woman.” He made sure his
voice carried over the motor to both the men waiting and the woman
in the truck.
    The shortest of the trio walked toward him, his
swagger laughable. Napoleon complex. Vance just began
hooking up the car. When he stood, he smiled a bit at the blonde
who climbed out of the patrol car behind the trio’s vehicle.
    “Hey, Vance,” she called out.
    “Deputy,” he said easily.
    She approached them, one hand resting easily on the
butt of her sidearm. Not threatening, just broadcasting awareness
and readiness.
    “What’s going on here?”
    “I was just telling these men I hadn’t any clue whose
car it was I just got the tow call.”
    Deputy Vicki Boshay, bless her, never missed a beat.
“I heard the sheriff asked you to tow it.” Her attention migrated
back to the men. “There a reason y’all are around the vehicle? Is
it yours?”
    “We’re looking for our friend.” Middle height man
rocked back on his heels as he responded. “Is there anything in the
car?”
    “Doesn’t matter,” Vicki said.
    Vance continued hooking it up.
    “Why not?” the same one asked.
    Vance watched with growing interest. Vicki rubbed her
thumb along the corner of her mouth.
    “You said a friend. So if, in fact, this is their
car, you can’t have their things. That would be stealing.”
    They all shared looks.
    Tall man cleared his throat. “What else is around
here?”
    “Cottonwood Falls is about ten miles that way. Where
are you men from?” she questioned.
    “Baltimore.”
    “Really?” She made a point to stare at the California
license plate.
    “It’s a rental.”
    “So, you flew in?” Vance joined the conversation.
    “No, drove. Through Atlanta.”
    “So, you don’t know what’s around here but claim to
have arrived from Baltimore via Atlanta?” At their nods, Vicki
continued, “I find that interesting and definitely suspect. See,
most folks who get to Cottonwood Falls from Atlanta approach from
the other side of town and would have already been through it at
this particular juncture.
    “What about your girlfriend?” Tall Man asked. “Has
she seen that car around in your town? And possibly the
driver?”
    “Let me go ask her.” Vance ran over Vicki’s question
in his mind. She had a point there. They should have come from the
other side of town.
    He strode up to the passenger door and opened it.
Kendria watched him