The young officer flushed red. Im sorry, Detective, but
Detective?
Kaylas body went rigid and Kane winced. Not the way hed wanted her to find out. He hadnt planned on her finding out at all. But nothing had gone as planned since hed laid eyes on Kayla Luck.
Hed been halfway to the station house door when the 911 call had come in and the captain had waylaid him in the hall. Concern for Kayla had blocked out common sense, so here he was-with a job to do.
He took in her pale skin, glassy eyes and the red bruise on her forehead. Hed botched this case but no more. He took her arm despite her token resistance.
Where are you taking her?
Kane glanced at the blonde hed met briefly last night, the one with flashing green eyes whod just given the junior officer a tongue-lashing. To the nearest chair. What are you, her sister or her guard dog?
She opened her mouth but Kayla interrupted first. Catherine, dont. Hes right. If I dont sit Ill be sick.
He muttered a curse, then led her into the outer room.
With her leaning against him for support, Kane was reminded of last night. His body reacted with instant and urgent need. Ignoring her wasnt an option, acknowledging and distancing himself was.
Kayla accepted his help only until she reached the chair, then jerked out of his grasp and collapsed into the high-backed cushioned seat.
He knelt beside her. Kayla
What is it, Detective? She spat the word like a curse. Her eyes remained closed, an effective physical barrier. Hed obviously added to the damage hed already done. Her emotional walls were in place-just like his.
The paramedics came barging through the door, saving him from having to answer. As they examined her, he had time to reflect. He didnt like what he concluded.
Hed put his emotions before his case. Worse, he put this woman at risk. He glanced at Kayla. Bad enough hed slept with her, but believing for an instant he could have more than one night had been insanity. Foolishness that could only lead to destruction. Hed broken his cardinal rule: hed gotten involved.
If hed maintained a distance, he would have been thinking more clearly. He would never have let her walk out the door this morning. Kaylas ignorance about illegal activities at Charmed! didnt mean those activities didnt exist. The captain was right. Kayla had gotten to him and in the process hed compromised not only the case but her safety.
Okay. The paramedic in the blue jacket stood. Looks like a concussion and some bruising in the neck area.
A quick glance told him Kayla was still leaning back with her eyes closed in the large office chair. Red fingerprints marred the white skin on her throat and Kanes gut clenched in anger so strong it blinded him. No one had the right to touch her. Forcing his mind to clear, he let his gaze travel downward. She hadnt changed out of last nights clothes. She hadnt yet been home.
Behind her, Kane saw Captain Reid enter the storefront. Kane turned to the paramedic first. Hospitalization? he asked.
She refused, which is fine as long as someones around to watch over her and bring her in if necessary.
Someone is, the sister chimed in.
For the moment, Kane ignored her. Restrictions? he asked the younger man.
Complete bed rest, wake her every two hours, check coherence, understanding, pupil dilationyou know the drill.
Got it.
No problem, the sister said, eyeing Kane with a scowl.
With the paramedic gone and the captain getting briefed by the officer whod arrived first on the scene, Kane turned his focus on Catherine. Youre Catherine, right?
And youre the louse who used my sister.
He didnt see any point in mentioning the using had been mutual. Kayla had been dressed and ready to walk out on him first. You dont know anything about it.
I know enough and I doubt that official-looking guy in the suit would appreciate that you slept with awhat was Kayla, anyway? A suspect?
What makes you think that?
The way junior was grilling her. She jerked her thumb toward the uniformed officer.
Leave it alone, Catherine.
Because you say so?
Because I promise you she wont get hurt again. Hed make sure of that.
She narrowed green eyes that reminded him of her sisters. Prove yourself and well see.
He didnt need the aggravation of an overprotective sister at this stage in the investigation, which was by no means over. And yet he couldnt help admiring the fierce protectiveness and a pang of regret lanced through him. Hed never had anyone to look out for him. Go check on Kayla, he muttered.
Ill be watching you, McDermott, if thats even your real name. Catherine returned to her sisters side and Kane made his way over to Reid.
Looks like things are heating up, Kane said.
It looks like a botched robbery, the captain countered. She walked in too soon.
Kane shook his head, his instincts screaming in protest.
Nothing taken, nothing missing, the junior officer said. He glanced at his notepad. But the lady claims the assailant was looking for cash she doesnt have.
The nights take? Reid asked.
The officer shrugged. I hadnt gotten that far in my questioning.
Kane pinned him with an accusing glare. Because you need to work on your technique. Grilling victims like suspects isnt doing your job.
Reid glanced back and forth between the two men, settling his gaze on the uniformed cop. Get back to work. Well talk later. The younger man took the hint and headed for the room that had been ransacked. Could be coincidence, Reid said.
Kane shook his head.
She help you any? He pointed to Kayla.
She still doesnt know what last night was about. And he wasnt looking forward to enlightening her.
Youre certain she wasnt tipped off about us and canceled activities last night?
Convince yourself. Have a talk with the lady.
Reid nodded and walked over to Kayla and her sister. Kane made himself scarce and strolled the perimeter of the small outer room instead. By the time the captain returned, Kane realized Kayla had turned this place into a reflection of herself. Books lined the metal shelving on the back wall, the topics wide and varied.
Youre right.
Shoving his hands into his pockets, he turned to his superior. Shes as much in the dark as we are, Kane said.
Seems that way. Shes bright and can hold her own in conversation but if shes lying about her knowledge, Id eat my badge, like you said. None of the signs were there. As for the sister, I wouldnt want to fall into that mouth again, but I doubt she knows anything, either.
Kaylas in danger. The knowledge sent a flood of emotion shooting through his veins. He welcomed the rush of adrenaline but not the depth of caring she drew from inside him. But he meant to keep his promise to Catherine. He meant to keep her safe.
Thats debatable. Im not convinced this was anything more than a bungled job. A druggie wanting cash, hoping for a quick getaway, and coming up empty, maybe.
Kane shook his head. Put someone on her.
Cant spare more manpower on a hunch, McDermott, not even yours. The most I can give you is surveillance, an hourly drive-by.
Kane shoved his hands into his jean pockets. Not good enough.
Itll have to be.
For you maybe. But Im taking that R &R you seem to think I need.
Reid raised an eyebrow. To do what?
Babysit her myself if I have to. Instinct has kept me alive and I wont ignore it now.
You too personally involved with this one?
The words hit the intended target, but Kane refused to back down. No.
Whatever you say. Youve got one week, but this is strictly off-duty. What about the sister?
I dont need two targets and, considering shes not involved in running the business, shes not in any immediate danger.
I agree.
So I want her out of the picture.
Reid glanced over at the two sisters with their heads bent close together and his chuckle filled the small room. Good luck, he said and laughed again.
Kane didnt know whether the older man referred to Kanes ability to lose Catherine or his self-imposed week alone with Kayla. Either way he needed all the luck he could get.
CHAPTER FIVE
THE ICE HAD BEGUN TO HELP her head. Even the nausea was no longer as bad. And then Kane spoke. Im taking you home.
His deep voice-still sexy to her ears-penetrated the remaining fuzziness in her brain. Kaylas stomach revolted at the thought. I think Im going to be sick.
Catherine grabbed for the nearest garbage pail, gaining a smile from Kayla despite how lousy she felt. I dont think thats necessary. She turned on Kane. Im not going anywhere with you. Although her talk with Captain Reid had been enlightening, she still didnt know enough.
Apparently Kanes superior knew nothing about Kane and Kaylas late-night activities. Unlike other men, he hadnt been quick to brag that hed scored with Kayla Luck. She wondered what that meant other than the fact that he didnt want to jeopardize his career.
The captain had questioned her about her business and clientele but was less than forthcoming about the reasons behind the police interest. He said hed leave the divulging to his best detective. She suppressed a cynical laugh. Kane was good all right, at more things than just his job.
He crouched down until they were eye level. Razor stubble covered his cheeks, adding to the dangerous edge shed only imagined before. The musky scent of his skin mixed with subtle aftershave heightened her awareness and put her senses into overdrive.
He bore no resemblance to the salesman whod wined and dined her the day before, yet he was still the same man who intrigued her on a primal level. A man she didnt know. Yesterdays clean-cut appearance had obviously been another lie for her benefit. She had the distinct impression she now faced the real Kane McDermott.
She cradled her head in her hands and glared at him.
You might not like me much right now. Hell, Im not too thrilled with myself. But you arent going home alone. It isnt safe.
I agree, Catherine said. She folded her arms over her chest and waited.
Would you please find something to do? Kane muttered. Ill talk to you later.
Catherine glanced at her sister. Kayla didnt like it, but she and Kane had unfinished business. Its okay. With a nod, her sister headed for the back room.