A detective with years of experience questioning suspects, yet he botched the one chance he had with Kayla. In the end hed done them both a favor. Interpersonal skills werent his thing and now she knew it, too. Besides, the lady was too good at breaching his defenses, something he and his line of work couldnt afford. Letting her go hadnt been easy, but it had been necessary.
McDermott.
Kane raised his gaze toward Reids office. Yeah, boss?
The older man waved a sheaf of papers in the air. Report on my desk by tonight. Everything gels, case closed.
Right.
And you look like hell, so get the paperwork done and, remember what I told you, I dont want to see your sorry butt in here till the middle of next week.
Kane opted not to argue. His burning eyes told him he could use the sleep.
First things first. He shoved a sheet of white paper into the typewriter beside his desk. Paperwork would force him to relive last night in all but intimate detail.
He groaned. Those intimate details might not make it onto paper, but they were forever etched in his brain. He and Kayla had warmed each other up, and hot chocolate had nothing to do with the heat in the hotel room. Her full body meshed perfectly into his, her slick wetness made for an easy glide home.
Home? He slammed his fists onto the keys. What the hell was he thinking? The lady had been a one-night stand and he should be glad shed walked out first; pleased hed ended any soft thoughts she might have entertained about her night with Kane McDermott, New Hampshire salesman.
Ripping out the ruined sheet of paper, he crumpled it into his hands and tossed it into the trash. She wasnt out of his life a few hours and he couldnt concentrate.
This whole mess could have been avoided had he listened to his gut. Hed seen too many fellow officers, fellow loners, fail with women. And Kane had one additional strike against him. He didnt know how to care about anything other than his job.
His father had bailed when Kane was five. His mother died six years later when she walked in front of a city bus with no thought to the son she left behind. Annie McDermott had a brother who disliked kids as much as he liked booze, but an eleven-year-old Kane had talked the old man into a deal. A place to live enabling him to avoid foster care in exchange for Kanes promise to raise himself and stay out of the drunken mans way. His uncle upped the ante and mooched his mothers death benefits from the state. Kane considered it a small price to pay for independence.
Hed been on his own for longer than he could remember and he liked it that way. For some reason, the words didnt bring the comfort they once had.
KAYLA DIDNT WANT TO GO home and face a grilling from her sister. After grabbing the first cab outside the hotel, shed stopped at a coffee shop near Charmed! before deciding to immerse herself in work. Anything to keep busy and not think. She still had boxes of her aunts and uncles personal things stored in the back and, though her sister had promised to help, today was as good a day as any to start rummaging through them. But she doubted even work would take her mind off Kane McDermott.
Every stretch and pull of her muscles as she walked reminded her of last nights activity. Her body still tingled in places hed touched. If she blocked out this morning and focused only on the sensual pleasures hed given, she became aroused once more. Apparently her body had become detached from her mind. Either that or she was losing it. The man had offered her money for sex. No matter how special she found the night, shed been alone in her feelings.
The burgundy overhang of the brownstone storefront loomed ahead and she sprinted the rest of the way. She jammed the key into the lock, wondering if the sauna had cooled off. If Kane was as good at fixing equipment as he was at seducing women, it would have. She shook her head hard.
She had to admit he wasnt the only one at fault. Shed invested more hopes and dreams in Kane than a one-night stand deserved. He had been callous, yes, but hed never promised her more than what theyd shared and that had been spectacular.
She took one step inside and knew the heat had stopped pumping high. No plumber necessary, which was about the only thing she could thank Mr. McDermott for.
Kayla made her way to the back room. Easing the door open, she groped for the light switch on the wall. She never found it.
Kayla made her way to the back room. Easing the door open, she groped for the light switch on the wall. She never found it.
Someone grabbed an arm and jerked her inside. The door behind her slammed shut, closing her in the pitch-black storage room. Before she could react, an arm grabbed her around the neck at the same time a hand clamped over her mouth. She tried to scream and tasted leather.
The more she struggled the tighter the grip became. Fear rose fast and furious inside her, but she listened to instinct and stilled.
Smart lady. Now listen up. The gruff male voice sounded in her ear and she caught a whiff of his breath, a revolting mixture of stale liquor and cigarettes. Wheres the money?
She shook her head from side to side. Catching her silent message, he eased the pressure of his hand off her mouth, but the bite of his fingers still stung. I dont know
He jerked back on his arm, causing a shot of pain in her throat. Wrong answer.
Kayla had no idea what he was talking about, but he obviously wouldnt believe her and she wanted out of there alive and in one piece. Okay. The one word came out on a hoarse croak. She forced a painful swallow. Theres no money on the premises. I
Kayla? Catherines voice sounded from the outside room. Are you back there? The lights on out here and you cant hide forever. I want details.
Her assailant stiffened and muttered a harsh curse. He released his hold and shoved her hard. She stumbled headfirst into the concrete wall and, with the impact, dropped to the floor. Pain lanced through her skull just as the back door opened enough to show a sliver of light and allow her intruder to disappear, leaving her in darkness again.
Kayla, I know youre in Catherine swung open the door and hit the switch on the wall, bathing the room in a harsh bright light. Oh my God, what happened?
Lifting her head was an effort, but Kayla managed. She took in the shambles of her once neat storage room and groaned. He trashed the place.
He who? What happened to you? Her sister bent down beside her.
Im okay.
Catherine narrowed her eyes. You dont look it.
Im fine. The steady pounding in her skull made those words a lie. Fighting the pain, she struggled to stand. A wave of nausea made it an impossible feat.
Sit. Catherine eased her back down and propped her against the wall. Im calling the police.
Kayla nodded only to discover even that was a mistake. She closed her eyes. She didnt know what the intruder wanted, but hed been convinced he would find it here.
Catherine returned and knelt down.
What could he want, Cat? Kaylas head swam and she couldnt think anymore.
Dont try to talk. Here. Catherine placed a wet paper towel on Kaylas forehead.
The soggy rag dripped water down her face and Kayla laughed despite the pain and her tears. Youll never challenge Florence Nightingale.
Maybe not, but weve been tending each others scrapes for years and Im the best youve got. With a forced smile, Catherine balled up the sopping paper and tossed it onto the floor.
She grabbed Kaylas hand and eased herself beside her on the floor, huddling with her sister as theyd done many times as children. Kayla couldnt stop the uncontrollable urge to unburden herself to her sister-the only person she could trust. With her head on Catherines shoulder, Kayla opened up about last night with Kane McDermott, talking until she was talked out.
And Catherine for once, remained silent, and Kayla was grateful.
The police will be here in a few minutes, Catherine said at last. And theyll take care of everything.
I ALREADY TOLD YOU I walked in through the front door and he jumped me in the back. Raising her voice caused a set of drums to go off in Kaylas head. She placed Catherines next attempt at first aid-a cold, wet but thankfully wrung out rag-against her scalp. She exhaled hard, fighting the nausea.
The paramedics will be here any second. Kayla squinted at the young police officer as he spoke. Now back to what happened. He was looking for money and you claim there is none.
Catherine stepped forward into the mans direct line of vision. Is this your first day on the job? Is that why you cant see shes the victim? Is this how they train you people today, to attack the helpless? Look, buddy, cop or no cop, I want your badge number and then I want your badge.
Kayla swallowed a groan at her sisters attitude, yet she couldnt understand the police treatment, either. Sirens began an insistent wail in the distance. At least shed get an ice-pack rather than a barrage of questions she was too weak and nauseous to answer.
The officer eased back but not off. He lowered himself until he was at Kaylas eye level. Look, the guy trashed the back room and did a number on you. Obviously he was looking for cash. Why? A little help from you will make things go easier.
For whom? Catherine jumped in. Shes not going to do your job for you and I want to know why youve been grilling her like shes a criminal instead of helping the victim.
Id like to know the answer to that, too.
Kane. Kayla would recognize that voice anywhere.
Hed come back. A rush of powerful emotions hit her so fast her battered body and foggy mind couldnt decipher them now. She pushed herself to a standing position and turned as quickly as the pain in her head would allow.
What the hell are you doing here? Catherine asked.
Kayla winced at her sisters harsh tone. She never should have told Catherine even sketchy information about last night with Kane.
Kayla glanced at him. He stood in the entryway to the back room looking angry and dangerous, displaying the side shed only glimpsed before. He ignored Catherine but when his gaze lit on hers, his expression softened.
He stepped toward her and held out his arms. She slid into his embrace. A comforting arm settled around her waist while the wall supported her back. Well, Officer? Since when does the Boston P.D. grill injured victims? he asked the junior cop.