He sped by a cul-de-sac and headed for the exit, hitting the brakes as the gate slowly started to open. “I said I would.” They’d both been undercover, and he’d provided warning. “Have I ever lied to you?”

“Probably,” she returned, her voice a mite snappy. “You have no idea what hell you would’ve unleashed.”

Amusement flitted through him like a ghost of the sense of humor he’d had years ago. He turned to face her, his gaze dropping to the sexy corset. “You don’t think I could spank you?”

A startling pink flushed up from her breasts to her face, catching his attention as her cheeks darkened. Then her eyes sparked. Fascinating. Absolutely fascinating. He focused back on the infuriatingly slow gate. “I’ve never lied to you, Dana.” He never would, either.

“Maybe you haven’t lied, but you sure don’t tell—” She yelped as bullets impacted the vehicle.

In one smooth motion, he grabbed the back of her neck and bent her, shoving her torso below the window while pressing hard on the gas pedal. The car lurched through the gate, which scraped along the passenger side, flicking sparks.

To her credit, she didn’t struggle. “You think they’re shooting at you or me?” Her voice was muffled against her legs.

“Good question.” Trusting her to remain down, he released her to put both hands on the wheel and zip out to a main traffic artery, searching for the enemy in the rearview mirror. “I think they shot from the bushes at the exit. Hopefully no vehicle near.”

A black truck swerved around the corner behind them, its headlights cutting through the darkness. He’d spoken too soon.

She partially rose up to look over her shoulder. “You have a gun?”

“Where would I put a gun in this outfit?” He wouldn’t be able to lose the truck in this small vehicle.

She coughed, her eyes wide, her face pale. “How are you so calm right now?” Her soft voice rose to almost shrill.

“Training?” He ripped around another corner and had to swerve to avoid a woman walking a poodle. Why wasn’t anybody in bed at the damn late hour? “I don’t feel things like other people do, not anymore.” The truck was getting closer.

“As much as I like you opening up, maybe we should talk about your emotions later? After we get rid of these guys?” she gasped.