Love, or at least the possibility of it, was worth fighting for. He didn't speak after we got in the car, and in the silence, I reviewed every possible argument and threat and outcome. Maybe Val would come out swinging. Maybe she would stage an ambush after lulling me into a false sense of security. She preferred mental games, though. Maybe she would try to have me volunteer my way into servitude. The car rolled to a stop a few blocks from the meeting place. Benedict turned off the car and braced his hands on the steering wheel. "Are you ready?" "No." I took off my sunglasses and attempted a smile. "But that doesn't matter." "You'll be fine." He touched the tip of my nose. "And don't be afraid to zap her with your freaky eyes, either. Petrify the shit out of her if you want. We'll be behind you." "It's not my behind I'm worried about," I said with a laugh. "Her daughters will charge me from the front." He pretended to examine my rear in the seat, frowning as he tugged on a belt loop of my jeans.
