“In other words, if anyone tries something, Nick will shoot him or you’ll punch him?”
That sounded good to him.
“Whose wacky idea was this?” she asked, and before he could come up with an answer, she guessed. “It was yours, wasn’t it?”
He shrugged, then decided to justify his actions. “You don’t know anything about these people, so yeah, I did suggest—”
“That you and Nick intimidate everyone?”
Okay, yes, that was exactly what he wanted to do. “I don’t want anyone messing with you.”
She couldn’t make up her mind if he was being sweet or insulting. She placed her notepad and pen on the table and stood. Crossing her arms, she said, “I can take care of myself, Michael.”
She turned to leave, then changed her mind. “And another thing. You told me to stay away from you, and you were going to stay away from me. Remember? So how come every time I turn around, there you are? You might as well stop trying to drive me crazy. Thanks to you, I’m already there.”
With those parting words, she stormed out.