Stalemate, Kane thought. In a war that was far from over.
Chapter Eight
The police station was quiet. Kayla followed Kane inside and waited in the hall while he met with Captain Reid. She didn’t need to be in the room while the two men talked strategy. Time alone would give her an opportunity to think and come up with a plan of her own. Between the phone call earlier and the lists hidden in the books, the police had an official case, if not specific suspects to go after. Kayla wanted specifics. With or without Kane McDermott, she wanted her life back.
With her headache beginning to ebb, came the ability to think more clearly. Whoever was behind the attack wanted the books and whatever money they thought she had in her possession. Kayla had read enough fiction and nonfiction to know the bad guys were always willing to swap when they were desperate. She held the books; they held important information. By far, hers was more valuable, which gave her the upper hand.
Before she realized what she was doing, she rose to her feet and knocked twice on Captain Reid’s door. Without waiting for a response, she let herself inside. “I have the answer.”
“I don’t recall asking a question.” Captain Reid stood from behind the metal desk in the corner.
“Trade-off,” she explained. “You know whoever attacked me will call back and when he does, I’ll offer him the books.”
“In exchange for…?” Captain Reid picked up on her earlier statement.
“Information. I know my aunt was innocent, and I want to prove it.”
“No.”
At the sound of Kane’s voice, Kayla turned. He leaned against an adjoining wall in a deceptively lazy stance. The muscles bunched beneath his shirt, and his jaw was clenched hard. He glared from beneath hooded eyes. She didn’t have to hear him speak to know he wasn’t pleased with her suggestion.
“As long as she’s willing, McDermott, she’s our best option.” The older man gestured to the metal-frame chair. “Have a seat.”
At least Captain Reid hadn’t shot down her idea immediately, despite what Kane wanted. Kayla lowered herself into the chair. “I want my business and my family name cleared.” She needed to feel in control of both herself and her life once more.
Kane shook his head. “Clearing you is my job,” he reminded her. One he hadn’t done a great job of accomplishing so far. But things were heating up and he was ready. No way he’d allow Kayla to set herself up as a target. “Use a drop or a police decoy.”
“In which case we get the errand boy and not the people involved,” the captain said.
“I’ll lean on him,” Kane muttered. “Hard.”
“He’ll talk if he thinks he’s not being threatened.” Kayla spoke up. “And what’s less threatening than a woman he already roughed up?”
Kane didn’t like the enthusiasm in her voice any more than he liked the reminder of the guy’s hands around her neck. He glanced over, taking in her cheeks flushed with excitement and the determination in her green eyes, and stifled a groan. Back on her feet, Kayla Luck was a force to be reckoned with.
What happened to the quiet woman who liked cozy restaurants, a traveling salesman, and books? Even as he wondered, he already knew the answer. She lurked beneath the intriguing woman in form-fitting jeans and a tight, sexy top. A steady rush of adrenaline pumped through his veins. Even this strong-willed version of Kayla excited him in ways he had yet to understand.
He’d never run into a woman who challenged him on so many levels. Who dared to assert her authority at the expense of his own. He might respect her independence, but he’d be damned if he’d let her risk her life to get it back. He shook his head. “No meeting. No way.”
She braced her hands on her legs and jumped up from her seat. “It’s not your decision.” She turned to his superior. “Is it?” she asked Reid.
“Ultimately, no.”
Kane shot daggers at his boss, but the man shrugged his shoulders. “The lady asked a question, McDermott. I’m just answering.”
Kayla’s smile widened. “Then I want in.”
“What the hell do you mean, you want in? This isn’t some action movie; it’s real life.” Exasperated, Kane ran a hand through his hair.
“Right. It’s my life, and you guys have shredded it to hell and back. I want to do this.”
“There is no this.” Kane glanced at Captain Reid for backup, certain the older man wouldn’t have patience for a civilian plan of action. But he looked more amused than annoyed, which only served to anger Kane more. “No.”
“Yes.” Kayla folded her arms in front of her.
Despite the serious circumstances, his gaze followed the movement. He took in the press of her forearms against her chest, the rise of her full breasts, visible in the V of her shirt. He knew damn well how that soft flesh felt in his hands, how sweet it tasted in his mouth. He swallowed, but his throat had grown dry.
“Sorry to interrupt this show, but we’ve got some decisions to make.” Reid paced the small area behind his desk. “First, we decipher the books.”
“I can do that,” Kayla said.
“So can Tucker,” Kane muttered.
“Why pull extra manpower on something I can do myself?” Looking too pleased with herself, once again Kayla glanced at the captain for confirmation.
“She’s got a point, McDermott. Besides, with you watching her every minute, what can go wrong?”
Kane hadn’t mentioned to his boss that he’d lost Kayla for one solid hour because of raging hormones and foolish trust. He wasn’t about to do so now.
“And then?” Kayla asked. “What if the guy calls again?”
“I handle it.”
She scowled at Kane.
“We’ll tap your cell and see what turns up,” Reid said.
“The last call came from a burner,” Kane said. He had no doubt the next one would, too.
The captain shrugged. “If he calls, improvise. Go with the moment.” He looked at Kane. “You need backup, let me know.”
In other
