Okay, so they were brave words. And she wasn’t really sure she had the courage to back them up. But just as she was trying to decide how to get rid of him, because there was no way she was staying in this house with him, she heard a vehicle pull up outside. Max darted to the side of the window and pulled back the screen curtain slightly
“Who the fuck is that? Shit. It’s one of those uptight holier-than-thou prick heads from Sanctuary Ranch.”
“How do you know?” she asked. Was it Kent?
“It’s written on the side of his truck, of course.” His voice clearly told her she was an idiot.
Patience. Just get rid of him. Then she could figure out a way to get out of here. How long would it take to sell her house?
Or maybe she should just move and leave it behind? Take her paycheck and go.
It wouldn’t be enough to get her far. Probably not enough to buy one of those fake identities. How did someone go about finding a person who made a fake identity? She guessed Max would know.
A knock at the door had her startling. Her brother turned to her. “No one can know I’m here. Got it?”
“What if he wants to come in? Maybe you should leave.”
He shook his head. “Need a place to stay for a bit.”
Oh God, he was staying? She had to wrap her arms around her, jumping as another knock hit the door, this one a bit more impatient.
“Get rid of him, Abby. Or else.”
Chapter Nine
She walked to the door and took a steadying breath. She glanced over her shoulder once to where Max stood. He scowled at her threateningly.
With a shaking hand, she opened the door.
Surprise filled her as she saw it wasn’t Kent standing there. Followed promptly by disappointment. She squelched that. She didn’t want it to be Kent. He was a jerk. He’d kissed her, then told her it had been a mistake.
So, she should be relieved to see Macca standing there. And that’s what she tried to convince herself anyway.
“Macca, hi!” She made certain to keep her injured hand behind the door. Only opening it partway, in the hope he would get the hint that she was busy.
“Hi there, love. You okay?” His voice was easygoing, but there was an intense gleam in his eyes. For once she wasn’t focused on his movie star looks or that accent. She just knew she had to get him to leave. Or else.
She really didn’t know what ‘or else’ meant. She’d never thought of Max as a violent person. A liar, thief and jerk sure. But not violent. Only her throbbing arm spoke a different story. And if he could hurt her, his only family, then what would he do to Macca?
“Me? I’m fine. Nothing wrong with me.” She bobbed her head up and down, grinning like a Cheshire cat. His gaze narrowed and she realized she probably looked like an idiot.
Laying it on too thick, Abby.
Christ, she was so bad at lying. Seemed Max had gotten all that ability. She toned it down. Less of the crazy head bobbing.
“You are, huh?” he murmured.
“Really, I’m just tired. I was going to go have a nap. Can I do something for you?”
“I was just in town and thought I’d stop by to see if you’d gotten new tires for your car.” He raised an eyebrow and gazed at her car pointedly.
“Oh, right. Yes. I’ve just been so busy working that haven’t had time. But I’ll get that organized straight away.”
“They’re dangerous to drive on,” he said in a low voice that sent a shiver across her skin. “I don’t want you getting into an accident, so do it sooner rather than later, yeah?”
She nodded nervously. Those eyes studied her.
Jesus, Abby. Stop nodding. She stopped so abruptly that her neck muscles protested and she winced. Getting slammed against a wall was doing nothing for her tired body.