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I watched as his brow furrowed. "Well, I suppose since you are the majority shareholder. But that does not mean?—"
I was out of the car in seconds.
“Mrs. Price, please get back in the car."
“I swear to God, I told you, Sven, call me Gwen."
"Gwen, get in the car,” he muttered.
"Now would you tell Atticus that, too?"
"If it's a safety concern, yes. I am technically under Mr. Trent’s supervision. So I am really here for security."
"Ah, Pierce works for me, too. Isn't that great?"
"Ma’am, please." His sigh was exasperated.
"Oh. My. God." I rounded on him and stuck my finger in his chest. "If you call me ma’am one more time, I swear to God, I'll deck you on the spot."
"Sorry, Gwen. It's your safety, and I don’t think Mr. Price would like you getting out of the car."
“I know he won't like it, but he's gone to talk to the kid. And if I know kids, even if he's not in trouble, he's going to run. So let's go.”
"But Mr. Price said?—"
"Yes, I know what he said. I also know he's gone to the front. And the kid won't go that way when he runs. So come with me."
He sighed. "Mrs. Price."
"Hey, at least I didn't open the door and start running,” I reasoned.
"I'd be compelled at that point to run after you."
"God, you're so stodgy."
Sven nodded. "If you say so."
"I do. Now please, relax."
With Sven acting as my shadow basically, we went around the back of the building, through the alley, and I could sense his discomfort. "What's the problem, Sven? No one knows we're back here. No one is going to shoot at me. I promise."
"You are vulnerable. Mr. Price won't like that."
"I promise it's okay. Besides, Atticus can't tell me what to do."
I watched the muscle in his jaw tick as if he wanted to argue but wasn't going to bother.
And sure enough, as I'd predicted, the back door swung open and out came the kid, running full tilt. He was so busy looking behind him for Atticus that he didn't see me.
Unfortunately for him, Sven stepped directly in front of him, meaning to stop him from running into me, and effectively clotheslined him.
Atticus came running out the back door behind him, startled when he saw the two of us, and tripped over a garbage can.
Sven had the kid, but he wiggled out of his jacket, coming straight for me. And as he attempted to maul through me like a defensive line, I stuck out my foot and tripped him.
He went down hard on the asphalt, and I lowered myself next to him. "You must be Philip Mangles. Listen, all we want to do is talk. There's no need to run and get my husband and the bodyguard all upset. I'm Gwen. Do you mind if I ask you a couple of questions?"
Atticus looked irritated.
