Chapter 33

CHAPTER

THIRTY-THREE

A rush of nerves fluttered through Tori.

She had no idea how this would turn out. But she knew the confrontation was worth a shot.

This man could have the information they needed.

"Stay close," Kai called over his shoulder as he and Gage took the lead.

He didn't have to worry about that. Tori didn't plan on going anywhere.

They strode across the street toward Howard as he headed toward an SUV.

"Excuse me!" Kai called. "Can we have a word with you?"

As soon as Kai spoke, Howard's guards moved in front of the man. One quickly shoved him in the SUV while the other stalked toward Kai, Gage, and Tori.

"Stay back," the guard told them.

"We just want to talk." Kai paused as if hoping to get through to him.

"Then make an appointment."

"He won't speak with us," Kai continued.

Tori knew they hadn't actually tried to speak with the man. But she had no doubt Kai's words were true. There was no way Howard would agree to talk to them.

"Then I don't know what to tell you. But speaking to Mr. Monarch without invitation isn't acceptable. Now, if you'll excuse me—" The guard started to step toward the SUV.

"Why are you having men follow us?" Tori called, wanting Howard to hear the question before he left.

He glanced at her from inside his SUV, his eyes narrow.

He had heard her.

Would he answer?

She waited. But he slowly turned his head away from them, blatantly ignoring them.

"That's enough." The guard raised his wrist to his mouth and muttered something into his watch. Then he extended his hand and said, "Back away."

They stayed back.

With one last glance at them, the guard climbed into the SUV beside Howard, and the vehicle took off.

Tori, Kai, and Gage glanced at each other.

Without making a scene—which was the last thing they wanted—that was all they could do.

How were they going to break through to this guy and find out answers?

Kai's jaw tightened.

That hadn't gone the way he'd hoped.

Now Howard would probably put out an alert on them to ensure they never came close again. Short of breaking into his house to talk to him . . .

Kai frowned. Breaking in was a possibility, he supposed. But it was extreme, and it should be a last resort.

If they were caught, the police would really have a reason to arrest them.

"Let's get back to the SUV." Gage nodded toward the parking garage across the street. "We're too exposed out here."

"I agree." Kai placed his hand on Tori's back and guided her to the SUV.

Thankfully, no one seemed to be looking their way.

But that man was untouchable, Kai continued to muse. Why?

There was more to this. There had to be.

Whenever he'd worked high-security assignments with protective detail like that, there had always been a good reason.

They hurried into the parking garage and up the stairs.

But just as their SUV came into sight, so did the man standing in front of it.

"It's him," Tori muttered, her steps slowing. "The man who approached me at Alfie's apartment."

Kai bristled, and he jutted out his arm to stop her from walking any farther. "Stand out of the way over there."

Tori scooted back.

Then Kai and Gage stormed toward the man, ready to find out some answers.