Chapter 136

Claire let out a half-laugh, half-scoff. “You really think I want to be this close to you? Please. You’re just terrible at driving. If you want, we can switch back right now p>

Earlier, when Dane was driving, it was honestly scarier than a car chase in a movie.

This time, Dane didn’t argue. He got off the scooter and let Claire take the handlebars. Only then did she realize her hands were slick with sweat.

She shot him a look. So, he’d been scared too?

Turns out, when he’s out of his comfort zone, Dane’s just another clumsy newbie.

Claire hit the gas, keeping a quick pace, but her driving was smooth and steady. The scooter didn’t wobble at all.

Dane copied her earlier move and grabbed a handful of her jacket.

Claire couldn’t resist teasing him. “If you want, you can just hold my waist, you know p>

She grinned. “Honestly, being hugged by a handsome guy like you? Not the worst thing p>

Dane clearly knew she was joking, but when he spotted a car approaching from the other direction, his hand slid to her waist. The next thing Claire knew, his face was pressed right against her back.

From a distance, they probably looked like one of those couples who couldn’t stay apart for even a second.

Claire rolled her eyes. Seriously? I said hold my waist, not glue your face to me. Picking things up quick, aren’t you?

She tried to keep her mind on the road. “Are you sure his car is up ahead?” she asked, not noticing the car that had just passed them with a bunch of huge guys inside.

One of the men in the car was wearing a headset and scanning the street. He glanced at Claire on the scooter, thinking the person on the back looked familiar for a split second.

But that would be impossible. No way would Dane, the big boss of Vertex International, be riding on the back of a dinky scooter.

Claire sped toward campus, only remembering Dane was still there when she felt a strong arm wrap around her waist.

Dane sat up straight again, his face finally giving her some space.

“Dane, where are you even going? You just left your car back there. Didn’t you call for help p>

Dane had parked his car on the shoulder and walked off all cool, like he was just going to handle everything himself.

He glanced at his phone. “I did p>

Right as he said it, a loud explosion echoed in the distance.

Both of them whipped around to see a huge fireball lighting up the sky.

Claire’s breath caught. She eased off the throttle and brought them to a slow stop.

“Wait… wasn’t that where I picked you up?” she asked, her voice shaky.

Dane didn’t even blink. “Yeah p>

Claire felt a chill run down her spine. “So what just exploded p>

“My car,” Dane replied, like he was talking about the weather.

Claire just stared at him. Holy shit didn’t even begin to cover it.

She slammed on the brakes and twisted around to face him. “Are you serious?

What the hell happened? Why would your car explode p>

Dane didn’t bother explaining. “If you don’t get moving, you’re going to miss your first class this afternoon p>

Claire shook her head. “I think I can

skip class today, thanks.” She waset

pretty sure that explosion wasn’t j some fandom accident

Dane looked at her. “Do what you want, but don’t stop p>

That’s when it finally clicked. Claire turned to look at him, suspicion

written all over her face. “You

home on my scooter to getaway,

didn’t you?

“Is someone actually trying to kill you p>

Dane finally cracked a smile. “You’re not as slow as I thought p>

Claire shot him a glare. “Please don’t drag me into this. I don’t want to be smart

about this kind of thing, okay p>

Who in their right mind would want

to know that the head of Vertex International was being chased down? Whether it was business enemies or some twisted family drama, Claire was just an outsider. This was way above her pay grade.

And yet, Dane had managed to pull her right into the mess. Unbelievable.

Was this guy even human? More like a disaster magnet.

“Sorry, Claire.” Dane’s voice came quietly from behind her.