hapter 73


    Jack smiled faintly but didn’t say anything. If it had been anyone else, it might have seemed normal. But if it was William, it was anything but normal.


    He looked at Liz. “Was your car badly damaged”


    Liz nodded. “A little. The insurancepany just had it towed away.”


    “Then I’ll have my driver take you home. It’s hard to get a cab around here.”


    Before he could act on it, William spoke up from beside them. “I’ll take her home.”


    Jack turned to him with a knowing smile. “Since when are you so helpful?”


    “Well, I was the one who hit her car.”


    Jack gave a silent chuckle. When William had totaled people’s race cars in the past, Jack had never seen him this proactive. And normally, unless absolutely necessary, he would respond in clipped, one–word answers. When had he ever been this talkative?


    He was probably attracted to Liz.


    Lately, Jane had been pestering Jack nonstop to introduce Liz to someone better than Zac Lincoln–richer, better–looking, and more loyal. He had been sick of hearing it and had even asked her where she thought he could find such a man. William, however, fit all three requirements perfectly.


    “All right, then I’ll leave her to you,” Jack said. He turned to Liz. “Just treat him like your driver. No need to be polite.”


    Liz trusted Jack’s character, so she agreed. “Okay.”


    “I have something <i>to </i>take care of. When you get home, send me or Jane a quick message,” Jack said.


    “Got it.”


    Once Jack walked away, William looked at Liz with a smile. “Now do you believe I’m not a bad guy?”


    “Mr. Sanders, I never said you were a bad guy,” she replied.


    “True. That was me overthinking. Come on, get in. I’ll drive you home.”


    They got into the car, and William asked, “What’s your address?”


    “Sunnybrook Residences, over on Hamilton Road.”


    William entered it into the GPS, started the engine, and drove off.


    The drive was quiet. William kept his eyes on the road, while Liz asionally stole nces at his sharp profile before quickly looking away.


    She couldn’t help but mentally curse herself. She had always imed she wasn’t shallow about looks, but apparently she just hadn’t met a man who hit all her aesthetic buttons.


    She had to admit, William was incredibly good–looking. Even sitting behind the wheel, focused on driving, he was easy on the eyes.


    When they pulled up in front of her building, William finally turned to her. “I’ll keep track of the repairs on your car. Once it’s ready, I’ll let you know immediately.”


    Liz unbuckled her seatbelt and nodded. “All right. Thanks for the trouble.”


    “It’s nothing.”


    “I’ll head in now. Thanks for the ride. Drive safe.”


    “Sure.”


    Liz stepped out of the car and watched the ck G–Wagon disappear before turning toward her building.


    At a red light, William called the insurancepany. “The pink car that was just towed- once the passenger door is reced, don’t notify Liz Smith. Send it directly to me instead.”


    He hung up and was about to put his phone down when several messages from Jack appeared.


    “I just realized you used me back there. You left yourptop at my ce on purpose, you?


    didn’t


    “You knew Liz was guarded from the start, so you had me deliver theptop to lower her defenses, just so you could end up driving her home, right?


    “William, how did I never notice you were this calcting before?”


    William raised an eyebrow, ignored the messages, and drove off.


    At the Stone estate, Xena spotted Victoria sulking alone in a corner. Smiling, she walked over. “Hello, Ms. Harris.”


    Victoria looked up with a frown. “Who are you?


    Seeing the wariness in her eyes, Xena’s smile deepened. “Who I am doesn’t matter. What matters is that we both dislike the same woman That means we could work together.”


    Victoria crossed her arms and gave a coldugh “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”