Page 9 of Xavier

“Look,” she said. “I’m tired and need to get home before midnight.”

“Or you’ll turn into a pumpkin?”

She snorted. “I’m not Cinderella. Far from it.”

“And I’m no Prince Charming.” He chuckled. “Far from it.” His eyes narrowed as he studied her forehead. “You’re bleeding.”

She raised a hand, touched a spot just below her hairline and winced. When she brought her hand down, she frowned. “So, it seems.”

“I’m taking you to the hospital.” Xavier cupped her elbow and turned her toward the truck.

Lissette pulled back. “No. I’m fine. It’s just a nick. I don’t need to go to a hospital.”

“You could have a concussion,” Xavier’s brow furrowed. “You can’t mess around with concussions or brain injuries.”

“I didn’t bang my head. It’s just a scratch.” She couldn’t go to the hospital and risk someone reporting the attack.

He stared at her for a long moment. “Well, we need to run by the sheriff’s department and let them know you were attacked and almost kidnapped.”

Lissette held up her hands. “No hospitals and no law enforcement. I’m going home now. Thanks for getting me out of that situation.” She turned away.

Before she could take a single step, his hand gripped her arm. “You really need to let the sheriff know what happened,” he said.

“The last thing she wanted was for anyone at the sheriff’s department to find out about the attack, especially one particular deputy. “No,” she said firmly.

“What if those jerks come back for you?”

“I’ll handle it,” she said quietly. “Now, just let it go and let me go.” Lissette pulled her arm from his grip. “I really have to be home before midnight.”

“You could have a concussion. Or those men could be back before you get home.”

“That’s my problem.” She shook her head. “I’m not your responsibility. So, step aside.”

Xavier released his grip on her arms. “I’m sorry I delayed you. At least let me make it up to you by taking you to your home. I would feel responsible if something bad happened to you.”

“Again,” she insisted, “I’m not your responsibility.”

“If you don’t let me take you, I’ll just follow,” he said with a crooked grin.

She matched his grin with a twisted one of her own. “I’m not responsible for your poor decisions.” With that comment, she turned and walked away, hurrying toward the marina.

“Damned woman,” Xavier muttered behind her. Footsteps crunched against loose gravel on the pavement behind her.

Xavier fell in step beside her and held out his hand. “Is this something that belongs to you?”

She stared down at the hasp that had been in the canvas tote. She took the item from him. When her fingers brushed across his palm, another jolt of electricity ripped through her.

She really needed to stay away from this man. And she would have—except he was following her. “Where did you get this?”

“I found it on the ground in the alley just now,” he said. “Is it important?”

“Maybe.” She tucked the hasp into her pocket. “Thanks.” Not willing to go into detail about the hasp or what she’d lost with the canvas tote, she struck out again for the marina, hoping Xavier wouldn’t follow this time.

He did.

“Where do you live?” he asked, catching up and matching her pace.

“With my grandmother,” she answered briefly. It was enough.