Chapter 58 *
Scarlett’s POV
Two figures stepped into the light.
Both men were in their thirties. Dark suits. Professional. One was tall and lean with a scar across his jawline. The other was broader, built like a linebacker.
They looked at each other. Then at me. Then at the blood trail leading to the elevator.
Nobody said anything for a long moment.
Finally, the tall one cleared his throat.
"Mrs. Wolfe."
"Gentlemen." I kept my voice pleasant.
More awkward silence.
I tilted my head. Studied them.
"So." I smiled. "Enjoy the show?"
The broad one opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.
"That was..." He trailed off. "...impressive."
"Didn't know you had those skills," the tall one added.
I twirled the switchblade between my fingers. "There's a lot you don't know about me."
They both stiffened slightly.
"You two realize you're screwed, right?"
The tall one's jaw tightened. "Mrs. Wolfe, we wereâ€""
"Following me. I know." I wiped the blade clean on my jeans. "You've been tailing me since the day I married Damon. Pretty good at it too. I'll give you that."
The broad one blinked. "You knew?"
"Of course I knew." I tucked the knife into my pocket. "Two guys in a black Escalade parked three cars back from wherever I go? Not exactly subtle."
"Then why didn'tâ€""
"Why didn't I say anything?" I shrugged. "Because I figured you were Damon's guys. And honestly? I didn't care."
I walked toward them slowly. They both tensed.
"But now we have a problem." My voice stayed pleasant. "Four men just tried to kidnap me in this parking garage. I handled it."
The tall one's face flushed. "We were about to step inâ€""
"But you didn't have to. Because I took care of it myself." I stopped a few feet away from them. "So here's the question. What happens now?"
They exchanged another glance.
"We report it," the broad one said. "Tell Mr. Wolfe what happened."
"Really?" I raised my eyebrows. "And what exactly are you going to tell him?"
The tall one straightened up. "That four men attacked you. That we failed to prevent itâ€""
"That you stood there and watched while I stabbed a guy four times in the leg?"
They both went quiet.
I let that sink in for a second.
"You know what Damon's going to think when he hears that? He's going to think his wife got attacked on your watch. That you failed to protect her."
The broad one's jaw clenched. "We didn't fail. You're standing here. You're safe."
"Am I?" I gestured at the blood on my hands. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like I had to protect myself."
"That's notâ€"" The tall one stopped. Realized I was right.
I walked past them. Headed toward a maintenance sink mounted on the wall.
Turned on the water. Started washing the blood off my hands.
"You seem like decent guys," I said over the sound of running water. "And I'm guessing Damon treats you well. Good pay. Respect. All that."
Neither of them responded.
"It'd be a shame to lose all that because you couldn't do your one job."
The water ran red. Then pink. Then clear.
I turned off the tap.
"Mrs. Wolfe..." The broad one's voice was careful. "What are you suggesting?"
I dried my hands slowly. Methodically.
"I'm suggesting that nobody needs to know about today."
They stared at me.
"Think about it. Four street thugs tried to grab me. I defended myself. End of story."
"But Mr. Wolfe willâ€""
"Mr. Wolfe will what?" I turned to face them. "Be furious that someone tried to hurt me? Absolutely. Be furious that his own security detail stood by and watched? Also yes."
The tall one opened his mouth. Closed it.
"Or..." I leaned against the wall. "We could all agree that nothing happened today. I went to meet someone. You guys kept watch. Everything went smoothly."
"As far as anyone knows, I was perfectly safe." I smiled. "Wouldn't you say?"
The silence stretched out.
Finally, the broad one spoke. His voice was low.
"Mrs. Wolfe... you're something else."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"We've been watching you," the tall one admitted. "Thought you were just... you know. A college kid. New bride. Needed protection."
"Worried about you walking home alone at night," the broad one added. "Working at that coffee shop. Thought some creep might bother you."
I almost laughed.
"And now?"
"Now we know better." The tall one's expression was serious. "You're ruthless as hell."
"Never judge a book by its cover." I pushed off the wall. "So. Do we have an understanding?"
They looked at each other again. Some silent conversation happening between them.
"You met someone. We kept watch. Everything went smoothly." The tall one nodded. "That's our official report."
"Good." I smiled. "I'm glad we understand each other."
The tall one held out his hand. "I'm Marco, by the way. That's Vic."
I shook his hand. Then Vic's.
"Nice to officially meet you both."
"Likewise, Mrs. Wolfe." Vic's mouth curved slightly. "Though I gotta say, this wasn't how I expected this conversation to go."
"Life's full of surprises."