Crash pulled up a barstool and leaned his ass back against it, his arms folded. From this position, he towered over Shannon, and a smile pulled at his mouth as she slid a glance up at him. It was easy to see, she didn’t like having to look up at him.
Cole nodded toward the bag on the floor. “Babe, tell me you didn’t pack a bag before you left the house. That’d be a major red flag.”
“Give me some credit, please.”
Cole raised his eyebrows, waiting for an explanation.
She huffed out a breath. “I picked up the bag and some necessities at the mall. If I’m going to hide out, I’ll need a few things.”
Crash looked over at Cole and asked with a grin, “Is this what they mean by ‘high-maintenance’?”
Cole grinned back. “Yeah, I think she’d be the definition.”
If looks could kill, Crash thought as Shannon swung an icy glare his way.
“Which mall?” Cole asked, drawing her attention back to him.
“Santana Row.”
Crash let out a whistle. “High class.”
“I wasn’t speaking to you, was I?” Shannon sneered at him.
“Look, bitch-” Crash came off his barstool, his arms unfolding as he stepped toward her.
Cole stopped him with a raised hand and a look. Then his eyes returned to her. “Watch it, Shannon. You’re the one asking for a favor here. I can walk out that door.”
“Can we talk, just the two of us?” she asked, giving Crash a glare.
“No,” Cole replied.
“Bet that’s not a word you’re used to, is it, Princess?” Crash taunted with a smirk.
Her chin came up, and Crash could practically see her eyes ice over with a glacial freeze. He grinned, enjoying putting her in her place. “It’s a word you’re gonna be hearing a fuck of a lot in the near future. So, get used to it, sweetheart.”
“Let’s cut to the chase. Tell me what we’re dealing with here, Shannon. And I’ll decide if I can help you or not. When did you breakup with this guy?”
After another glare at Crash, she returned her eyes to Cole, and her demeanor changed. Back to the little miss innocent, Crash observed. Jesus, did she think she could play him? Cole would see through that in a New York minute.
“I’ve tried to break it off with him and…well, he just won’t take no for an answer. And, now…now he seems to know every move I make. He knows where I’ve been, who I’ve seen, who I’ve talked on the phone with. And, well, frankly, he’s starting to scare me, Cole.”
Crash watched her bite her lip, and he knew she was holding something back. He knew Cole would see it, too. He was damn good at reading people.
Cole remained silent, waiting for her to continue.
“He’s leaving for Europe for the summer in a few weeks. If I can just avoid him until then, Cole, I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
“This kid’s got some rich parents, too, I take it?”
“Yes, something like that.”
“And the police? Your father? They can’t help you?”
“He’s crazy, Cole. He threatened to hurt me or my family if I go to the police.”
“Threatened you? Outright?”
“Well, not in so many words, they were more like veiled threats, but I know that’s what he wanted me to think.”