by M. Malone
He was also very understanding when she needed time off.
“Actually, I think I’ll take you up on the offer for time off. I’m a little tired. But I finished that memo you needed.” She pulled it from her outbox and held it out to him.
Nick looked up in surprise. “Of course.” He took the page she held out and scanned the front page quickly. “It’s perfect. Thanks. Take as much time as you need. I’ll hobble along without you for a while.”
Kay smiled at the image of Nick being helpless without her. She thought back to their early days working together when he’d often forget to get his cleaning or missed appointments because he was so engrossed in his work. He really did need her. It was a nice feeling.
“I’ll be back tomorrow.”
Nick sent a casual wave in Eli’s direction. “See you guys later.”
Eli stood and tucked his phone into his back pocket. “Taking off early?”
“Yeah, I think I’ve done everything I can handle today.” She pulled out one of her drawers and her eyes landed on the spare key. Since she’d ended up recording the night Sasha was supposed to come over, the key was still in her desk drawer. Her brow furrowed when she remembered how it had seemed to be in a weird place the last time she’d looked.
“You asked me if I’d given my key to anyone. But I forgot to tell you that I keep a spare here at the office.”
Eli rounded the desk and looked down at the open drawer. “How long has it been here?”
She did a quick mental calculation. “I think it’s been about six months.”
“Who knows you keep a key here?”
“No one. Well, my best friend Sasha knows because I’ve given it to her before so she could wait for me at home. Sometimes she comes over so we can hang out and watch movies.”
“Does she have your security code?”
“No. You told me I have to change it monthly, remember? Whenever I give her the key, I give her the current code. But it changes so often that she couldn’t use it to come when I’m not there.”
At his disbelieving look, Kay shook her head. “I’ve known Sasha since elementary school. She’s the sweetest girl ever and we’ve been through way too much together. She would never hurt me.”
“People do things that would surprise you.”
She gave him a pointed look, remembering his friends don’t see each other naked comment. “Believe me, I know. Now, it’s time for me to go home. It seems I have a date.”
THE RESTAURANT DANNY had chosen was an Indian place nestled in the Harper’s Creek neighborhood of Newport News. As Eli pulled into a space on the far end of the parking lot, Kay turned in her seat to face him. This time she’d gone for the basic black dress she wore whenever she needed a confidence boost and had pulled her hair back in a loose knot. She hadn’t spent much time primping, instead going over security protocols with Eli. There would not be a repeat of last time.
“You’re going to wait at the bar, right?”
He nodded wordlessly.
“And you won’t use that listening device unless you really have to?”
His head dipped in another barely perceptible nod. “I plan to have my eyes on you the whole time, but if anything obstructs my vision, I’ll listen periodically just to be sure you’re okay.”
Kay relaxed slightly.
Danny was waiting for her at the front of the restaurant. He looked more like a lawyer now in a crisp gray suit, and his brown hair appeared to have been tamed with a brush and some gel. She accepted a quick hug and then they walked into the dim interior of the restaurant together.
“I’ve never been here before,” she commented.
He stopped right before they reached the hostess stand. “Wow. I probably should have asked if you like Indian food before I made the reservation. I really hope you don’t have a sensitive stomach.”
Kay waited as he gave his name to the hostess. They followed the waitress to a booth in the back. She slid out of her coat and folded it on the seat next to her. Once Danny was seated, she answered him.
“I love all different types of food. There’s a tiny Indian restaurant in Norfolk that my best friend loves. She orders takeout from there all the time and got me hooked on it.”
He visibly relaxed and sat back in the booth. “Great. I didn’t even think. I guess it’s obvious that I don’t get out much.”
“I don’t either. Don’t feel alone.”
After the waitress told them about the specials, Kay allowed Danny to recommend a few things. She’d only had a creamy butter chicken dish that Sasha favored and something made with curry.
“This is going to be fun. My friend always orders the same things, so it’ll be exciting to try a few new dishes.”
“I usually order the same things, too. I’m feeling adventurous lately.” His eyes settled on her again and it wasn’t at all unpleasant. Then he broke off a piece of the naan bread on the table and popped it in his mouth. “So, tell me about the album you’re working on.”
Kay relaxed as their conversation turned to the places she’d had singing gigs, which segued into a conversation about travel. Not that she had much to contribute on that topic, but Danny had lots of fun stories about his last visit to his grandparents in Poland and a drunken bachelor party in Vegas. Their food came and he offered her samples of the various items on his plate.
I could really like this guy, she thought.
The possibility would definitely have been there under different circumstances. Especially if she weren’t pining after someone else who might or might not be listening to their entire conversation.
Kay turned her head slightly, then tensed when she noticed Eli sitting at the bar. He lifted his chin slightly when their eyes met. She whipped around and hoped that Danny hadn’t noticed. After what she’d put him through last time, the least he deserved was to have her full attention tonight.
“So, who is he?” Danny scooped up a bite of food and then looked at her quizzically. “Someone you loved and lost or someone you never had?”
“What?” It was a struggle not to spit out the bite of spiced chicken she’d just taken. Kay chewed carefully and then took a sip of her water.
“The man you’ve been thinking about this entire time. Who is he?”
Kay started to protest but stopped when Danny propped his head on his fist and smiled at her. “It’s okay. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”
“How did you know?” Kay finally said.
His eyes returned to his own plate. “Like recognizes like. There should be a club for the heartbroken.”
Kay craned her neck slightly until Eli came into view. He still sat at the bar. He’d promised not to listen in unless it was absolutely necessary and she believed him. There was never any doubt in her mind that she could trust him. He would do what he’d said he would.
“The guy you met last time.”
Danny’s eyes lit up with recognition. “Ah. That makes sense. I figured there was way more behind that story.”
Kay stabbed a piece of chicken. “I’m not sure there is a story at all. I just can’t seem to stop hoping for something that will never happen, that’s all. I’m not sure I’d call that a story. Unless it’s a tragedy.”
Danny leaned forward. “Look, I’m not exactly the right person to give out relationship advice, but do you love that guy?”
Her eyes were drawn back to Eli again. As her gaze soaked up his familiar profile, the wide breadth of his shoulders, the intense set of his jaw, she shivered. Was this love? How could she possibly know that? Tim had made her feel special, had seemed to appreciate the things about her that no one else cared about. She’d thought that was love. Look where that had gotten her.
But had she ever felt this strongly for Tim? She couldn’t imagine him throwing himself in harm’s way to protect her. But, without a doubt, she believed that Eli would always put himself between her and danger. Not just because it was his job to protect others, but because he cared ab
out her.
“I’m not sure,” she said finally.
Danny didn’t look convinced. “But the fact that you had to think about it tells me that you probably care about him a lot.”
Kay shrugged. “Yeah, but that doesn’t make it any easier to figure it out.”
He pointed at the breadbasket. “Eat. Trust me, the feelings aren’t going away overnight, so we might as well try to enjoy our lives in the meantime. Even if we’re both thinking of other people, it doesn’t mean we can’t have a good time.”
That was a philosophy that Kay could get behind. She broke off a piece of bread and chewed methodically. She was going to have fun on this date if it killed her.
CHAPTER NINE
ELLIOTT TOOK ANOTHER sip of water and tried not to choke. He’d had Indian food a handful of times before, but he didn’t remember it being quite this spicy. Although, the churning in his gut could just as easily be jealousy as indigestion.
Kay and her date were in the midst of spirited conversation. They seemed to have hit if off if the guy’s wide smile and animated hand gestures were any indication. The sinking feeling in his chest was almost as hard to ignore as the burning sensation on his tongue.
Too bad a cold glass of water wouldn’t help soothe his heart.
A waiter appeared at his elbow. “Excuse me, sir. Are you the owner of a black Yukon?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Is this your license plate?” He held out a piece of paper with a number jotted down in blue ink.
Eli recognized his plate number and grimaced. “Yes it is. Am I parked illegally or something?”
“No, sir. Your lights are on. Another patron noticed it in the parking lot and let us know.”
Eli nodded his thanks. It was incredibly odd because his truck had automatic lights. He rarely turned the lights on manually unless he needed his brights on one of the dark country roads bordering his parents’ property. There hadn’t been any reason to use them on the way here.
Reluctantly, he stood and activated the audio feed. Instantly Kay’s voice was in his ear. He folded his napkin and placed it in his seat. When the waiter moved to leave, he held up his hand. “Actually, could I order another dinner? Something less spicy this time. Can you just do a plain chicken-and-rice deal?”
“Of course, sir. I’m sorry the meal wasn’t to your liking. I’ll bring another right away.”
Eli tried to tune out Kay’s voice, but it was nearly impossible. They were discussing books. Lawyer dude was talking about a literary festival coming up in the springtime. Eli swallowed, trying not to feel bitter. He hadn’t even been able to get through more than a few pages of that book on her coffee table, so he doubted he’d be able to talk with her about anything she’d find interesting. He wasn’t exactly good date material. All he’d be able to do was take her to the gun range and teach her to shoot. Hardly the stuff of romantic fantasy.
In the parking lot, Eli narrowed his eyes as he approached his truck. The lights weren’t on. In fact, there were no lights anywhere in the back section of the lot. When they’d arrived, he’d deliberately parked directly beneath the light. Now that same light was conspicuously dark.
Still, he figured it couldn’t hurt to check and make sure that nothing else was on. The last thing he wanted was to come out here in the next hour to a drained battery. Just before his hand connected with the door handle, Kay’s voice blared though his earpiece.
“Oh no! Get it off me!”
He spun around and dashed for the door of the restaurant, cursing himself the whole way. He shouldn’t have left Kay behind, even for a moment. Then behind him he heard a curious ticking. Instant recognition flowed though him and he threw himself to the side behind another parked car.
The air behind him exploded and it sounded like the world was being ripped apart.
Eli had instinctively dropped into a ball, but he tugged his jacket closer over his head as debris, metal, and ash rained down. His hearing cut out for a second as the air grew hot, then came back in a roaring wave. A flaming piece of debris floated down to land right next to his hand.
After a moment, he chanced a look around. The door to the restaurant burst open and people streamed out, cell phones held aloft to capture pictures of the scene. A mother held her children closer, trying to soothe their cries. A distant siren approached. All Eli could think of was getting to Kay. He pushed his way through the crowd, fighting against the tide of people trying to get out of the building.
The same waiter who’d brought the message stood in the middle of the bar area. Waiters scurried back and forth between them, yelling things to the man behind the bar. Eli pointed at him and yelled over the chaos, “You! Who gave you that message?”
The waiter looked frantic for a moment, then turned to run. Eli sprang forward and grabbed him by the collar. “Who gave you the message? Start talking.”
“I don’t know, I swear,” the man babbled. “I didn’t even answer the phone. One of the other servers gave me the message. We were all supposed to ask our tables and since I was working the bar, that’s why I asked you.”
Eli pushed him away and ran toward the back of the restaurant where Kay had been sitting. His eyes scanned every face until he saw her. His heart stopped for a moment, then it beat once, twice. Finally he could breathe again.
“Eli! What just happened?” Kay stood on the seat of her booth, trying to see over the crowd of people. Her date watched him with barely veiled curiosity. Eli nodded hello and then turned back to Kay.
“Some kind of explosion.” He tugged on her hand until she hopped down. He reached into the booth and grabbed her coat and bag. “Our car. We need to leave.”
Kay followed him as he dragged her by the hand toward the back of the restaurant. “Where are we going?”
“Back way. Come on.”
He dodged fallen chairs and frantic people and pushed through the doors leading to the kitchen. It was a den of chaos, people running in every direction. They moved through the narrow lanes until they reached the back door. He shoved his shoulder against the heavy door and they stepped out into the cold air. The door led to an alley with a few dumpsters. He glanced in both directions and then pulled her to the left.
“If my memory is correct, we should hit a major road if we go this way.”
Kay didn’t speak, just trotted to keep up. A few minutes later, they emerged onto Jefferson Avenue.
“I must have touched the door handle.”
“What?”
“The handle. I was given a message that my lights were on. I was walking to the car to check it out. But just as I touched the door handle, I heard you say “Oh no” and so I turned and ran back to the restaurant. That’s when it blew.” The bomb must have been on a pressure sensor. If he’d taken Kay back to the truck, they’d be dead.
Kay stopped walking suddenly. “Someone blew up our truck?” Her voice wavered a bit before she brushed her hand against her cheek. “Someone wanted to blow us up?”
He recognized the beginning stages of shock. He put his arm around her and steered her in the right direction. “We have to keep moving, angel.” He pulled out his phone and sent a message to Nick. His brother responded immediately and his shoulders sagged.
“Our ride is on the way.”
They needed time to get to a safe location, and he needed to start making calls. It wouldn’t take local police long to figure out who the car belonged to, but Agent Harris could shut the investigation down all the way from the nation’s capital. Then he could start the important work of unraveling Kay’s life to figure out what the hell was going on.
One thing he knew for sure was they couldn’t stay in Kay’s usual environment. They didn’t have the advantage here. They needed a place to hide out and regroup. This guy would start to make mistakes when he was forced out of his comfort zone.
It was time to take things to Eli’s turf.
ELI FORCED THEM to keep walking, pulling the hood up on Kay’s coat to shield
her face. His phone buzzed in his pocket. “Yeah.”
“I’m right around the corner. Where are you?”
Eli glanced behind them, looking for Nick’s dark sedan. It was early evening and there was a respectable amount of traffic. It was impossible to tell who was near them. The thought made him pull Kaylee a little closer. Anyone could be out here. He’d deliberately left through the back of the restaurant, but he had no idea who they were dealing with. Or how many people they were dealing with. It wasn’t out of the realm of possibility that they’d been followed.
“We’re walking east on Jefferson Avenue.” He glanced up and rattled off the street number of the store next to them.
“I’m right there. Hang tight.”
They weren’t far from Jackson’s studio. He’d briefly considered walking over to see if Jackson or his assistant was there but in the end decided against it. For whatever reason, this battle had just been kicked into high gear. He didn’t want anyone he cared for caught in the cross fire.
Kay shivered next to him, tremors wracking her body so hard Eli could feel them through the layers of their coats.
“Hey, it’s going to be all right. Come here.” He rubbed a brisk hand up and down her back. She’d been quiet the whole time they were walking.
Too quiet.
“Kay, I’m not going to let anything happen to you. As soon as my brother gets here, we’re going into hiding.”
She nodded against his chest, her face brushing against the exposed skin of his neck. “I know. I just can’t believe this is happening. I’ve never hurt anybody. But someone out there wants me dead enough to put a bomb under our car.”
Eli’s arms tightened around her. He pulled out his cell phone.
Agent Harris had been the bane of his existence for years, but there were certain advantages to being on the FBIs radar. They’d used him for information for years, and it was only recently that they’d made significant progress locating members of the Circle. The group was now suspected of being a huge part of the influx of cocaine into the country, and his intel had helped them find several cells and infiltrate them. They needed him alive. He wasn’t above using that if it would help him keep Kay safe.
