Page 27 of Snow

A few of the guys, including Snow, looked at Derek. Something about that smirk put him on edge. Was there something Derek knew and wasn’t saying?

Snow paused for half a second before answering, his eyes narrowing slightly as the memory of her struggling with her bag replayed in his head.

“She couldn’t even reach her own luggage,” he said bluntly.

Aussie snorted. “Are you saying that being short is a liability? Because I’m pretty sure that many of our women who fall in that category would disagree.”

Snow shook his head. “No. I’m not opposed to her being on the shorter side. She was clearly struggling and didn’t ask for help when there were literally like five people right there who could have helped her. So, my concern is what happens if something goes sideways when we are on that rig, and she’s too scared to speak up?”

Snow climbed into the SUV with Derek, Bear, Nails, and Joker. The others rode in the second vehicle.

Derek turned to look at him. “Or, she’s exactly what Silverman says she is, and we’re underestimating her,” he countered before pulling out his phone and scrolling through it.

Bear looked at him. “Let’s just wait until we meet with her. As Derek said, maybe she’ll surprise us.”

Snow shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe.” But he wasn’t banking on it.

CHAPTER NINE

About an hour later and with some food in her belly, Nova shifted in her seat as the black sedan eased to a stop in front of a warehouse she didn’t recognize. She looked up at the nondescript brick building with high industrial windows and a wide bay door that looked like it hadn’t been opened in years.

She had been to Silverman Petroleum headquarters before, and this definitely wasn’t it.

She leaned forward. “Harry. Where are we?”

Harry looked at her through the rear-view mirror. “This is the address Mr. Silverman asked me to bring you to.”

“Are you sure?” she asked.

Before Harry could respond, the large steel door to the warehouse creaked open, and a tall, older man in a navy suit and tan Panama hat stepped out.

On second look, Nova realized the man was Mr. Silverman, which only made her more confused. Why were they at a warehouse in the middle of nowhere?

As soon as Harry opened the door for her and she stepped out, Mr. Silverman smiled. “Ms. Hart!” he called out cheerfully, as if he were greeting an old friend, which, technically, he was. “I’m so glad you were available and could assist us.”

Nova smiled. “Mr. Silverman. It’s good to see you.” She took his hand as he offered it, and he patted hers warmly.

Mr. Silverman had always been kind and gracious, a throwback to the gentlemen of decades past—chivalrous, respectful, and full of Southern charm.

“Did you have issues getting here?” Mr. Silverman asked.

“Not that I’m aware of. Why?”

“Oh. I had just expected you about a half hour ago.”

Nova felt her cheeks warm.

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Silverman. I skipped breakfast and was starving when I got off the plane. I asked Harry to stop at a deli on the way so I could grab a sandwich. I’m sorry if my delayed arrival has caused you any issues. I thought I had enough time.”

Mr. Silverman smiled. “No need to apologize, dear. I’m sure the others will understand.”

“Where are we?” she asked, glancing around the deserted lot and back to the looming warehouse behind him.

She noticed how his eyes darted away from her as he adjusted his hat with a nervous chuckle. “This warehouse belongs to me. It’s one of my older assets.”

Nova raised a brow. “Older assets?”

“It’s still functional,” he added quickly. “Just not in public use anymore. I thought this location would be more appropriate for the kind of conversation we need to have.”