“That’s not what we’re doing,” Brady said smoothly. “We’re challenging you to try things a different way.”
Gideon jumped in. “If you’re confident that your tech outshines a man, you shouldn’t be afraid to let us put it to the test.”
I couldn’t help rising to his rather obvious bait. “I’m not afraid.”
“You definitely don’t look like a woman who shies away from a challenge,” Brady said with a nod.
Try as I might, I couldn’t keep my righteous anger at the same level when I looked at him.
Frantically, I tried to think of a way out of this without backing down. “I have multiple social media accounts to juggle. And a very tight recording schedule.”
“And you can keep making videos and streaming. So will we,” Gideon replied. Easy for him to say; their channel was small potatoes compared to mine. “I bet your fans are on board.”
Almost involuntarily, I glanced over at Penny and the phone she was holding. Cole noticed. “What are they saying?”
Penny caught my eye, and reluctantly, I nodded. It wouldn't do any good to hide what they were seeing; everyone on the livestream could see it anyway. Penny started reading off the phone. “Do it. Show them you’re not afraid. Wipe the floor with them, Lila.”
“Guess that answers that question,” Brady said softly.
I wanted to close my eyes. I wanted to take some time. I needed to think—but I didn’t have that luxury. Not during a livestream. “If you pull me out of the real world to play pioneer girl for a week, I need more than a public apology when I prove you wrong.”
“What do you want?” Cole asked.
“A week’s stay in real comfort.” I named one of Chicago’s best hotels. “I’ll need it after my time out in the sticks.”
Brady and Cole exchanged glances. They didn’t look happy, but it was Gideon who answered. “Deal.”
Fire ran through my veins. At the very least, I’d get a lot of good footage of me wiping the floor with these boundary-crossing jerks. The thought of taking my revenge on this trio made me almost look forward to it. I stared directly into the camera and gave my viewers what I hoped was a determined smile. “Looks like I’m taking a trip. Their little inn may never be the same after my visit.”
“Or you might not be,” Brady said.
Guess time would tell which one of us was right. Spoiler alert: I’d make damn sure it was me.
7
LILA
The moment I stepped onto the small platform of the Elburn station and looked around, my heart sank. A few people were waiting to board the train back to Chicago, but not many. It was clear this was the end of the line.
I’d never taken the Metra this far west of Chicago, but it already felt like I was light years from home—and this wasn’t even my final destination. Brady and Colton—no, his name was Cole—were supposed to pick me up and take me on to Smallville, or whatever it was called.
But I didn’t see either of them, unless they’d donned disguises again, so I took a moment to pretend I was anywhere else but here.
Maybe back on the train. Yeah, that was a good place to be. Unlike Penny, who’d be driving her ancient car out here later in the day, I was all about public transportation. The El in Chicago got me everywhere I needed to be, except when I could walk. I loved walking around the city. There was always something going on. Always something to see. Always something to do. Plus, no one even batted an eye when I live-streamed with my followers.
Normally, I also enjoyed riding on the larger commuter train that shuttled people out to the suburbs, but every station we passed on the way here was smaller than the last one. When I squinted down the tracks, I couldn’t even see the skyscrapers in the distance.
A horn interrupted my thoughts. A groan escaped my lips as I saw a white, rusty pickup truck heading my way. Well, mostly white. It appeared that the passenger door had been liberated from a gray pickup of the same make.
Wonderful.
The brakes squealed as the truck came to a halt in the parking lot. The two men—cousins, I now knew—were in the front. Where the hell did they expect me to sit?
Their method of transportation—though it was admittedly at least a half-step up from Penny’s—was the exact opposite of the gleaming facilities they’d lured me to a week ago. Of course, now I knew that they’d just borrowed a buddy’s office, but still, I’d hoped that their tastes hadn’t changed.
But now I was beginning to suspect they didn’t have any, especially when Brady climbed out of the passenger side, revealing his faded and ripped jeans. His shirt was plaid and button-down, and all he needed was a cowboy hat to complete the country bumpkin look.
The really annoying thing was that he still looked hot, even though he obviously hadn’t spent much time on his clothing choices today. Since these guys likely considered me public enemy number one, perhaps that made sense.