Everyone started packing up as Ashley made sure they all had a specific lead to follow up.

Yael turned off her laptop and packed it away. This meeting had been a waste of her time. She hadn’t learned anything. She could have been working on the code and seeing if there were any clues in it that might have turned up in other places online. She jumped when Shane’s arm brushed hers. As much as she generally didn’t like to be touched that wasn’t why her body reacted so strongly to Shane. It was some weird hyperawareness that made the hair on her nape tingle.

“Want a ride to Alex Parker’s compound to pick up that vehicle?”

“I’ve got it.” A part of her wished she could accept his help but it went against her nature. She couldn’t depend on anyone else. She’d learned that the hard way.

Alex came over. “I can drive you over there now.”

“What about Myrtle?” she asked.

“Who?” Shane asked, frowning.

“My scooter.” Thankfully her boss knew she’d named the Vespa.

Shane held out his hand. “Give me the keys and I’ll drop Myrtle off after work.”

Yael stared at him. Alex looked between them both and then turned to speak with Ashley who’d approached him with a question.

Yael found herself staring into Shane’s deep green eyes that were flecked with white like the surface of a choppy ocean.

“What’s the problem?” he asked quietly.

Yael shook off the unsettled feeling he gave her. “Why would you do that for me? We’re not friends.”

He pulled a face. “Because it’s a reasonable thing to do for a colleague? And why aren’t we friends? We’ve had a drink together and shared a meal.”

Did chicken wings count as a meal?

He climbed to his feet. “Anyway, it’s your choice but it is zero trouble as I drive past your place on my way home. And I know I’ll feel better—personally and professionally—if you have transportation that some asshole in a smart car couldn’t wipe out with a side swipe.” His expression grew somber. “We both saw what this guy does to other human beings. What I’m suggesting might be a worst-case scenario, but it is not a stretch and unlike the rest of us, he knows what you look like.”

Her fingers curled into fists. She hated that he was right. She blew out a frustrated sigh and dropped the keys into his palm. “She’s up in the main parking lot near the Academy. Don’t strain your arm putting her in your truck.”

“Yes, Mom.”

“I mean it.” She slid the rest of her belongings into her computer bag. “Get one of your built friends to help you.”

He tossed the keys in the air. “Ha. Sassy. I like sassy.”