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body flashed back to her mind, helpless, bleeding.
    “We really didn’t see much of anything, Miss Flynn,” a soft voice said.
    Kendall looked just behind her. Omar stood there, his attention focused wholly on Luella Flynn. Where had he come from? And what did he want? Did he suspect she had the messages?
    Luella’s eyes narrowed. “And you are …?”
    “Omar Strong. I’m the new rover. I came by just after Kendallcalled Enforcer 10. Chord and I had plans for tonight. We were supposed to meet here and then go to Dreamland. Have you ever been?”
    Luella pressed her hand over her chest, displaying her purple-and-silver-striped fingernails. “I adore Dreamland Disco. Most turbulent music in the Midlands.” Then she smiled and set her hand on her hip. “And you’re a clever raven to change the subject. How’d you get your X, Mr. Strong? Don’t bother lying, either. I can look it up.”
    “Look it up then,” Omar said. “Pleasure meeting you, Miss Flynn. Sorry we couldn’t be more helpful. Kendall? Are you ready to go?”
    His question took Kendall off guard, as did the way he held out his hand like they were a pair. Pairing up was all Safe Lands men ever wanted. “Um …” She
did
want to get away from the microphone and the woman holding it, but she didn’t want to give Omar the wrong idea. She stepped beside him and glanced at Luella, who watched them with raised brows.
    Omar took hold of her hand anyway. His palm was rough, like he tasked outdoors. She wanted to let go, embarrassed to touch a stranger in such a familiar way, but she didn’t want Luella to ask any more questions.
    “Good night,” Omar said, pulling Kendall away from the camera.
    “Maybe I’ll see the two of you at Dreamland,” Luella called after them.
    “Maybe,” Omar said, without looking back.
    But Kendall looked back at Luella three times as they walked away, worried that the woman would follow them, see they weren’t really together, ask more questions. Then she changed fears and hoped Luella would come so Kendall wouldn’t be alone with Omar. But finally Luella waved her microphone at one of the enforcers and stepped into the crowd, Alb on her heels. Gone.
    Kendall pulled her hand from Omar’s grip, and they continued walking side by side, though Kendall’s senses were on alert. It was only another few yards to the corner where she could wave a cab and get away from Omar. “You’re asking for trouble, playing games with Luella Flynn.”
    Omar shrugged one shoulder. “You looked like you wanted to escape. I was trying to help.”
    She
had
wanted to get away from Luella. “But the way you cut her off and didn’t answer her question about your X … You don’t want her as an enemy.”
    He shoved his hands into his front shorts pockets. “Aw, she doesn’t scare me.”
    Fool of a man. “She should. Luella Flynn is the most powerful woman in the Safe Lands.”
    Those bright eyes of his met hers again. “Why’d you say you weren’t Kendall Collin?”
    She didn’t owe him any explanations. “How
did
you get your X?” Murdering someone, perhaps?
    His smile lit up his face and eyes, making him look even younger. She wanted to ask how old he was but doubted she’d get the truth.
    Omar stopped walking and turned to face her, hands still stuffed into his pockets. “Can I walk you home, Kendall?”
    It could have been a line from one of the Old movies Kendall had seen as a child. Men didn’t say such things in the Safe Lands. “No, thank you.”
    Omar pulled his hands from his pockets and stepped toward the curb. “Let me wave you a cab, then. I don’t like the idea of you walking alone with a murderer on the loose.”
    Again with the chivalry. How could she know whether or not it was an act? He had a macho way about him, though he wasn’t much taller than she was. He had some muscle on his arms as well, but if she wasn’t recovering from childbirth, she’d bet she could run faster than he could. “I like