A Werewolf in Manhattan Read Free Page B

You’ve lined up media escorts at each stop. The hotels are secure. I’m not worried.”
    “Has anybody done a reverse trace on the e-mail?” Aidan wanted to get his hands on it in the worst way. He could notify his tech guys to pull it up, but going through Emma might be the simplest. A plan was forming in his mind.
    “We tried,” Jenny said. “Nothing came up.”
    Aidan didn’t want to appear too eager, even though he was chomping at the bit. “I handle security for Wallace Enterprises. I might be able to figure it out for you.”
    “You’re a security expert?” Emma gave him an assessing glance. “Somehow I thought you were on Wall Street.”
    “I have a cousin who is, but I went a different route.”
    “I’m thrilled he’s in security,” Jenny said. “If you’ll give me your e-mail address, Aidan, I’ll send over what Emma forwarded to me. The guy’s probably a harmless kook, but if we could pinpoint where he is, that would be valuable.”
    Aidan pulled out a business card from an inside pocket of his suit jacket and handed it to Jenny. “Considering my dad’s history with Roger Claymore, the service will be gratis.” He’d play this as if he needed Jenny’s cooperation to get that e-mail.
    “You should charge your regular fee.” Emma finished the autograph and closed the book. “If they were going to send somebody along on the tour, they can certainly afford your expert advice.”
    “It won’t take long enough to justify a bill.” Aidan was still planning to turn this into a bodyguard assignment. Although he didn’t consider Emma weak, she was ill prepared to confront a werewolf. No good could come of it, either for her or for the packs living in various North American cities.
    “I appreciate the offer.” Jenny accepted the card and tucked it into her pocket. “I’ll send the e-mail first thing in the morning. Emma, take a cab home. I realize you’re a subway kind of girl, but no more of that until we figure this out.”
    “I have a car and driver,” Aidan said, knowing she wouldn’t approve of his luxury town car. “I’ll see that she gets home safely.”
    Emma glanced up at him. “Thank you, but that’s not necessary.”
    “Em.” Jenny sent her a pointed look. “A security expert, who also happens to be a Wallace and who loves your books, has offered to run a trace on that e-mail for free, and now he’s prepared to get you home safely. As a representative of your publisher, I insist you accept that offer.”
    “Okay, but I think it’s kind of silly.”
    “Humor me.”
    “All right.”
    Jenny nodded. “Thanks, Em. Talk to you tomorrow. Nice meeting you, Aidan.” With a wave, she walked away.
    “There you go.” Emma pushed the book back across the table. “And you certainly don’t have to chauffeur me home tonight. You must have a million things to do that are more important.”
    “Can’t think of any.” He put on his topcoat before picking up the book. “Are you ready to go?” He was still sorting through the possibilities of the e-mail. The sender could be a nutcase or a werewolf willing to betray his pack to impress a woman, which made him a werewolf nutcase. Either way, his behavior could be unpredictable.
    She sighed, and her shoulders dropped. “Truthfully, I’d love a ride home in a luxury car instead of a taxi. I doubt your car will be emitting any more greenhouse gases than the taxi, and it’s been a long day.”
    Following a long night. He’d kept track of her through most of it, and she’d spent the wee hours finishing her manuscript instead of sleeping. “Let me call Ralph.” He pulled his BlackBerry from inside his jacket and speed-dialed his driver. “Yes, I’m ready. Down by the front door. I have a passenger to drop off in the Village.”
    Then he cringed. He wasn’t supposed to know where she lived. He hoped she was too tired to notice the slip. Now he had to hope Ralph would remember to ask her for the address as if he didn’t