Authors: Lori Foster

Back in Black (14 page)

BOOK: Back in Black

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Millie saw Brett first and jumped up, surprising him with an embrace. “Thank you again, Brett. I can’t believe I got stuck like that. Everyone was just so pushy and rushed.”

He looped an arm around her shoulders. “When they get scared, people forget manners and common sense all too quick.”

Audrey said nothing, and that worried Brett.

Inhaling, Millie launched into more speech. “Not you, though. It was pretty impressive how you just stopped the flow of human traffic. I almost got flattened, but people had to go around you, you were so immovable.”

He tipped his head at Audrey, wondering why she wouldn’t look at him. “I’m a little bit bigger than you, Millie. Makes it easier for me.”

“Your friend, Gregor, was wonderful, too. Very take-charge.”

What the hell was going on? Why was Millie so chatty while Audrey sat in stern silence?

Almost in apology, Millie patted his arm, and when Brett looked at her, she whispered, “She knows.”

Brett felt his stomach knot. “Knows what?”

Still in a whisper, Millie said, “That you’re a fighter. Gregor, too. Jacki told her.” And with a wince: “I’m sorry.”

CHAPTER 7

A
UDREY flinched when she saw the disappointment on Brett’s face and the censure on Millie’s. He really was a nice guy—but her personal prejudice ran deep. Millie knew that, and she knew why.

Tonight they’d been through hell. Over her shoulder, she glanced back at the group of gawkers. Some were titillated, some frightened, some blasé. None of them had deserved this.

Most were without their coats, having left the building in such a rush. As the air thickened with the moisture from the impending storm, women huddled up to men for warmth.

Audrey would have loved to steal some of Brett’s warmth. But he’d lied to her, if not outright, then still by way of omission.

With her arms wrapped around herself and her shoulders hunched, she sat on the curb, shivering. At least Millie still wore her coat, had never taken it off, not when she hadn’t planned to stay.

As if she’d read Audrey’s thoughts, Millie bit her lip, and in an effort to break the strained silence, she said to Brett, “I’d only stopped by to say that I was going to take in a late movie. I knew Audrey wouldn’t be able to call me, because I’d have to turn off my cell. I just . . .”

She looked to Audrey for help, but Audrey turned away. God, she felt so stupid. Brett had walked her through the bar, handing out flyers to his
friends
. . . she remembered some of the looks she’d gotten, how puzzled many of the men had been.

The joke was on her. Had they laughed behind her back?

Sighing, Millie continued. “I knew you were planning to take her home but I wanted to—”

“He’s not,” Audrey said with no inflection at all. Now that she knew everything, she had no reason to let him continue with the deception.

Brett put his hands on his hips and glared down at her. “So that’s it? From one extreme to the next, just because I’m an athlete?”

“A
fighter
,” Audrey stressed, even as heat rushed to her face. Brett knew how attracted she was to him—because she’d thrown herself at him.

“Same damn thing,” Brett said right back.

Though Brett’s tone wasn’t loud, his annoyance couldn’t be missed. Several people looked their way, including Jacki and Gregor.

No way would Audrey let him cause a scene. Millie hated crowds, and she especially hated being the center of attention.

A hand to her stomach, Millie seated herself beside Audrey. “I’ll drive you home, Audrey, you know that.”

No doubt Millie was anxious to get away before the situation got any worse.

Without humor, Audrey laughed. “You’ve already missed the movie now anyway, right?” She started to stand.

Millie put a hand to her knee, stalling her. “I’ll take you home, but Audrey, think about it. It was the club owner, the workers, and the
fighters
who took charge to make sure everyone got clear of the building.”

As thunder rumbled and the first few raindrops began to fall, Audrey stared at Millie. “You’re defending him? To
me
?”

The weather worked wonders at breaking up the scene. Women rushed to their cars with men following behind. Lightning split the dark sky, prompting police officers to pull on rain slickers.

Like a different man, not angry but very impersonal, Brett stared at Audrey as he asked Millie, “Where are you parked?”

“Just down the street.”

“I’ll walk you ladies to the car before I go.”

Just like that, Audrey thought. With no explanation, no defense?

Millie gave Audrey a
Do something
look. In a hiss, she said, “The night should not end this way.”

No, it shouldn’t. She had a few things to say to Mr. Brett Bullman. Pushing to her feet, Audrey faced him. “You played me for a fool.”

“No, I just hedged my bets.” He glanced up at the sky, then pulled off his flannel and put it around her. “Doesn’t matter now, though, does it?” He started them toward the car.

He
sounded hurt? But he was the one who’d duped her! And why walk her to the car now? He had to know she wasn’t going home with him. Not now, not ever.

A little voice inside herself suggested that maybe there were things about Brett that were true—like the protective instincts she’d witnessed tonight.

Audrey started to doubt herself.

Until Brett suddenly said, “You weren’t too worried about a bomb, were you, Audrey?”

“What?” She stalled, but Brett kept her moving until they were close to the car.

Looking suspicious, and disgruntled because of it, he used his hold on her arm to turn her to face him. “As I recall, you were more intent on ogling Gregor than on getting out of the building.”

She inflated with umbrage.

Yanking herself free of Brett’s hold, she squared her shoulders and stared him in the eyes. “Are you accusing me of something?”

Shoving his hands into his pockets, Brett shrugged. Audrey thought he looked cold, standing there in the damp wind in only a T-shirt. But he didn’t shiver, he just kept his arms closer to his body, his shoulders slightly lifted.

The wind plastered his shirt to his body, showing off wide shoulders and a solid chest.

Not that she cared about any of that.

His jaw tightened. “Got any men in your organization?”

“Why?” Never would she back down against a slur to her reputation. “No, wait, let me guess. Did a man call in the threat?”

“Are you out of your mind?” Millie finally caught on to Brett’s accusations. “You actually think that Audrey placed a bomb threat? Good Lord, you don’t know her at all, do you? Audrey would never do such a thing.” She harrumphed. “And to think I was defending you!”

Brett didn’t look at Millie; his attention stayed focused on Audrey. “Is that a yes or a no?”

Movements stiff with anger, Audrey peeled off his flannel and threw it at him. “There are no men taking an active role in WAVS.”

Millie scoffed at him. “The name ought to tell you that. It’s
Women
Against Violent Sports.”

“But,” Audrey said, interrupting her, “in case you want to accuse them, we have been backed by male senators and state representatives, and plenty of supportive men have given us cash donations for printing literature about the sport—literature that
you
helped to disperse under
false interest
.”

He dared to laugh, mocking her. “I thought I was pretty damned clear about my interest. And at least I was willing to listen to another opinion, which is more than you can say, right?”

“You didn’t give me a chance!”

“Come on, Audrey. What you thought of fighters was pretty clear. What was it Millie called us? Brutal specimens?”

Millie flushed. “I, ah . . .”

“I figured if you knew I was a fighter, you wouldn’t give me the time of day. And I was right, wasn’t I? The second you found out, you were pissed.”

Oh, no. She would not let him turn this around on her. “Because
you
didn’t tell me.” Audrey’s voice dropped, and she couldn’t hide the resentment. “I had to find out from your friends. Do you know how stupid that makes me feel?”

His brows pulled down more. He drew a breath. “I’m sorry,” he said on an exhalation.

Millie softened.

Audrey wasn’t so quick. Too much had happened today for a simple “I’m sorry” to make a dent. “For what, Brett? Not telling me that you’re a fighter? Or for accusing me of sending a bomb threat?”

Casting a furtive look around them, he winced. “Bring it down, will you?” He moved closer to explain, “Rumors can get started that way.”

Audrey couldn’t believe his belated concern. “
You
started them!”

“And I apologized.” He ran a hand through his already rumpled hair. “It’s just . . . well, you sort of took everything in stride—”

“Oh, right.” Sarcasm rippled through her; her ponytail bobbed as she shook her head. “I guess I was supposed to scream in terror and panic?”

He eyed her militant stance.

She wasn’t through. “Maybe I should have collapsed, so you could have thrown me over your shoulder and carried me out like a hero?”

“Maybe.” At her ridiculous description one side of his mouth quirked. “I wouldn’t have minded. But you didn’t need rescuing at all, did you?”

“Neither did you,” she threw back at him. “But I didn’t sling accusations at you because of that.”

“I needed help,” Millie reminded them.

Audrey spared her a glance. She knew Millie wanted to help, but this was too personal.

She hadn’t known Brett long, but what he thought was important to her. “I’m incapable of something so unethical, Brett.”

Appearing regretful, he nodded. “I’m sorry. Again.” He glanced back at the police lights and chaos of investigation. “I hope like hell it was only a prank.”

“Me, too.” Audrey thought of the panic that the threat had caused. “But whether it was or not, it’s still unconscionable.”

“Yeah.” Affectionate once more, Brett again draped his flannel around her. He bent his knees to give her a cajoling smile. “Forgive me?”

She couldn’t quite meet his gaze. “Not much has changed, Brett. You’re still a fighter.” And he’d still misled her.

As if her stubbornness broke him down, he pretended weak knees.

“Come on, girl.” Grinning at her, he straightened again. “At least give me a chance to show you that fighters are nice guys, too.”

Not moving away from his nearness, Audrey slanted him a look. “I don’t know. The way you acted tonight wasn’t very nice.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “You’re right. I guess I’m not used to women taking threats in stride.”

“I’m a tomboy.” She always had been. Panicking was not her m.o. Fixing the issue—that was the course she liked to take whenever possible.

It was also how she’d gotten so involved in WAVS.

“Sexy tomboy,” he said, and then his grin faded. “The thing is, Audrey, I’m not going to be the only one to consider you. You were just at the club to protest the SBC. And the guy who called in the threat said he wanted to take out Drew Black and whatever fighters he could.”

Devastated, Audrey sucked in a breath. “And you thought that was
me
?”

“Or a guy working for you.” Shaking his head in apology, he said, “I know how much you dislike him. And thanks to those flyers we handed out, so does everyone who frequents the club.”

“You’re right.” Good God, she could be a prime suspect. Her stomach went queasy. She looked at the officer and thought about going to him now, to get it out of the way. But he was so busy . . .

“It’s cold and it’s rainy,” Brett told her. “Let me take you home.”

Audrey weakened, but she didn’t give in. Not entirely. “Thanks, but it’s been a crazy night. I need some time to think.”

His disappointment showed, but still he opened the car door for her. “No pressure. But Audrey? If you change your mind, I’ll be at Havoc’s gym most days till five.”

And with that, he walked away.

Audrey watched him go with a pang of regret and a wealth of confusion. She understood his allegation; she really did. To most, she’d be a likely suspect. But that didn’t make it any easier.

It suddenly dawned on her that Millie had gone too quiet.

“Hey.” She touched her arm. “Are you okay?”

Millie nodded, but she looked shaken. “It’s so stupid, but it still shakes me up to think about that man.”

“Drew Black.”

She looked away. “I’m sure he has a lot of enemies, but I can’t believe the caller named him as a target.” Shaking it off, Millie started her car and put it in drive. “One of these days, he’s going to get someone hurt.”

Or worse, Audrey thought. One day, Drew Black might get someone killed.