by Desiree Holt
Oh, that she can.
“If she does know, maybe she’s not too anxious to put herself out there at risk.”
Dean was silent for a moment. “Surely, she can at least tell us what she knows about Peter Fleming. Besides, if the Osunas want her this badly, I want her, too. And before they find her.”
Frustration raged through Quinn knowing Dean wasn’t going to be put off for very long.
“Listen,” his ex-boss went on. “I know Jake told you this is a very volatile, high profile case. We’ve been banging our heads against stone walls ever since the DEA agent bought it, and we aren’t getting anything except a headache. We need something, Quinn. I shouldn’t have to tell you how that goes.”
“Okay, okay, I get your point. Do you get mine?” He swallowed some coffee, now turning cold. “She’s scared out of her mind, and she doesn’t trust anyone. I came to Jake for information only because I needed to find out exactly who was after her that had her so badly frightened. That’s it. He ran to you with his speculations, which doesn’t sit too well with me. I could easily put her someplace where you’ll never find her. And you know I can do it.”
“Kane Barton will fry your ass if he finds out and gets hold of you,” Dean told him.
Kane was the senior U.S. Attorney for the district and everyone’s boss in the division.
“Then I’ll have to make sure that doesn’t happen. And you might point out to him my ass isn’t his to fry anymore.”
The silence thrumming across the connection was like a living thing.
“All right.” Dean broke the stalemate. “I don’t like this, but I guess I don’t have much choice, short of storming your house. What do you suggest? What’s your offer?”
“I already told Jake I’d call him this morning. He just jumped the gun. Here’s what we’ll do. Let Jake come out here and talk to her. She’s very skittish and with good reason. Then, if we have to, we can work into a meeting with you and Kane. But Jake first. Alone.”
The heavy sigh was audible. “All right. I’m willing to cut you a break here. But only for a limited time. Let Jake come out and talk to her. Then we’ll see.”
“Put Jake back on the phone.”
“Yo.” Jake’s voice rumbled across the connection.
“Dinner at seven tonight. Don’t be late. And I run the meeting.”
Quinn broke the connection and slid his cell phone into his pocket. Professionally and intellectually he knew Dean was right. Kate was the first person in a direct link with the Osunas available to them. And of course, there was that flash drive, which belonged in the hands of the Justice Department.
Personally he wanted to keep her as far from the action as he could. Away from any situation where her presence could be compromised, even though he knew to protect her she had to tell what she knew. Had to help bring down the cartel or they’d never stop hunting her. He’d told her he’d keep her safe, and he didn’t want to break that promise.
Damn, damn, damn.
****
When Kate opened her eyes the next morning, she was pleasantly sore and very well satisfied. Even though a fresh challenge awaited her, she felt stronger, more able to face it. Because of Quinn.
She smiled to herself. Time was now divided into two segments—before Quinn and after Quinn. She’d lived a lifetime with him in a very small amount of time.
The nights were incredible. Making slow delicious love followed by blissful sleep, surrounded by Quinn’s body, safe in his arms.
Yawning, she stretched and pushed out of bed. Finding his shirt on the chair next to the bed, she held it to her face for a moment, inhaling the now familiar scent that was purely Quinn, a woodsy male scent that sent warmth flooding through her.
Then reality slapped her, and she remembered that this morning he’d be calling Jake again, and neither of them knew what would happen after that. With a weighted sigh, she slipped the shirt on and went in search of the man himself.
The kitchen was empty when she walked into it, but the aroma of fresh coffee teased at her nostrils. Through the tall windows she could see Quinn on the porch, pacing, cell phone glued to his ear.
She hoped he was right, that his friend, Jake, could help her find a way for this all to be over. Then maybe her life could get back to something approaching normal.
Normal. That was a laugh. She wasn’t even sure she knew what normal was any more. She was just reaching for a mug when Quinn let himself back in, a grim look on his face. Her stomach lurched.
Oh, God, now what?
****
Kate was standing in the kitchen wearing one of his shirts when Quinn walked back into the house. The sight of her made him hard as a rock. She looked so damned sexy, stretching to reach a mug, the shirt riding up on those wonderful legs, the fabric sliding off one shoulder. He had to restrain himself from grabbing her and hauling her to the bedroom.
Maybe afterwards. After he told her dinner was on.
He was still astounded by his need for her. It had grown until it clawed at him and filled every corner of his body and soul. Somehow, she had the key to unlock the part of him he’d kept locked up behind bars for four very long years. He guessed there was a lot to be said for chemistry, but it was more than that. She was one with him now, and he knew he’d never be the same again.
Nor did he want to be.
When he closed the door, she turned and her smile went straight through to the core of his soul. Okay. He would get them past this nightmare. Then they could look at building a future together. A future that, two days ago, he would have sworn didn’t matter or even exist.
He wanted to smile back at her, but the conversation with Jake was too fresh in his mind. He knew what was coming, and he had to prepare her for it. Dinner might wear a friendly face, but with a case as hot as the one against the Osunas, Jake would only cut them so much slack.
Kate caught the look on Quinn’s face, then poured her coffee with hands that shook slightly. He came up behind her, his sudden touch almost causing her to slosh her coffee. She turned in his arms and searched his eyes, trying to read him, but he’d lived with a closed expression for so long…
“Refill?” She held out the pot, nodding at the empty mug on the counter.
He nodded. “Then we’ll sit down and talk about what Jake had to say.”
They sat at the bar, her shaking hands wrapped firmly around the coffee mug. She took a slow sip, then set the mug back down. Her stomach was turning somersaults, and a cold feeling crept up her spine.
“Just spit it out,” she burst out. “Whatever it is can’t be worse than sitting here making myself sick with worry. I assume that was Jake you were talking to on the phone. He wants to do something you’re against, right?”
“Right. He called me before I could get back to him.”
“Did you tell him about dinner? What did he say?”
He took her hands in his, closing his fingers around them. “I told you last night I was sure Jake had talked to Dean Morgan, my former boss, about this.”
She nodded. “And?”
“He put Dean on the phone. Kate, this thing is so much bigger than either you or I realize.”
Her face turned so pale Quinn was afraid she might faint. He held the coffee mug up to her lips.
“Drink. It’s okay. No one’s coming out here to drag you away.”
“Are you sure?” Her heart was racing.
“Positive. I made a deal with him. I told him we’d let Jake come out here and talk to you and assess your situation and take it from there. I didn’t say a word about the flash drive. That’s our ace in the hole, to help us call the shots.”
She started to protest, but he held a finger to her lips. “It’s the best thing we can do, Kate. We talked about this, remember? He needs to hear what you have to say, and then you have to give him that flash drive. They’ll open it, get their information and move forward with their case. Keep in mind, as long as you have it, you’ll still be a target for the car
tel.”
“I’m not giving that drive to just anyone, Quinn.”
We pay people everywhere. Cops, prosecutors…
She couldn’t get the words out of her brain. Fear of the drive falling into the wrong hands and leading back to her consumed her.
“And that’s why you’re going to give it to Jake,” he reminded her. “Because we can trust him. I swear it on my life.”
“I’m sorry.” She bit her lip. Trust, even with Quinn, was hard for her to give. “I know I’m just being paranoid because of what Peter said.”
He sighed. “All right. I can talk until I’m blue in the face, so let’s do this. Tonight you can meet Jake and judge for yourself. Fair enough? But keep in mind that stopping the cartel is the only way to keep you alive. And that flash drive is the key.”
“I guess that’s okay.” No, it’s not, she wanted to scream, but they didn’t have too many choices here. If only her father hadn’t been caught in a trap. If only Peter hadn’t walked into his office. If only…
Quinn brushed his knuckles along her cheek, a light caress. “Remember, I’m with you all the way here.”
He pulled her against his body and took her mouth in a kiss that began as a gentle caress then took on a life of its own. He pressed his lips hard against hers, holding her face between warm hands. She grabbed his wrists but in a moment relaxed, and he lifted his head.
Kate tried to put everything she was feeling into that kiss, but then, like a dash of cold water, something struck her and she pulled back. “Wait, wait, wait. What about Jake’s boss? And his boss? They know about me now, so who else does? Are they trustworthy? How do I know they aren’t…”
Quinn cupped her chin, holding her head steady, his gaze locking with hers.
“They were also my bosses until I quit the office four years ago,” he told her in a calm voice. “I trusted them, and you have my word that you can, too.”
“I have to believe in you,” she said, almost in desperation. “You’re all I have.”
“I won’t let you down. That’s a promise.” He slid off his stool, taking her with him and leaning down for another kiss.
Kate knew he meant it to be tender and reassuring, just the briefest of contacts, but as soon as his mouth touched hers, she opened for him, hungry for more than the light contact.
Gripped by a desperate need to crawl into him where it was safe and warm and secure, she tasted him greedily. She shuddered as his tongue, now provoked, dueled with hers, and just like that, fire erupted between them. She was drowning, a whirlpool of sensation closing over her, drawing her deeper, pulling her in.
Lifting her in his arms, he carried her into the bedroom. In seconds he had them both stripped naked. Covering her with his body, he plunged them into a mating so ravenous, so savage, it left them breathless.
It was a long time before they thought about anything else.
****
They were lying naked on his bed, the ceiling fan cooling their sweat-slicked bodies, neither of them anxious to move.
Kate threw an arm over his chest, leaning her head against the hard wall of muscle, rubbing her cheek against the soft fur of his curls. “I’m so sorry about your family, Quinn. I can’t imagine the pain you’ve had to live with.”
His fingers trailed idly up and down her arm. “I think maybe some mystic force was ready to give me a swift kick in the ass and put you out on the highway for me to find. I never thought it possible, but when I hold you, the pain isn’t nearly as bad.”
“Too bad I had to come with such a truckload of trouble. I don’t want you to get hurt because of me.”
“I’m a big boy, Kate. I could walk away at any time. But I’m not. I’m here for the long haul, so hang onto that thought, okay?” He rubbed his lips over hers, his tongue just barely probing.
“Okay.” The panic was still hiding deep inside, waiting to be released again, but she was sure deep in her bones there wasn’t anything Quinn couldn’t handle.
“Tonight, you’ll tell your story to Jake,” he reminded her. “Everything. Including the flash drive. He’ll help us figure out what to do next to get you out of the cartel’s line of fire.”
“What time did you tell him to be here?”
“About seven. Meanwhile, there’s something I want to do. A little extra precaution I want to take.”
“Precaution?”
“Uh huh. Now that I know exactly what kind of people are hunting you, I want you to be able to protect yourself. Just in case. So we’re going to buy you a gun and do a little target practice.”
“A gun?” Her voice squeaked. She’d never held a gun in her life.
“Yes. So let’s get dressed and get moving
Chapter Thirteen
Peter adjusted himself on his motel bed, pillows against his back, computer on his lap, and cell head set in place. He’d just come back from dinner, booted up his laptop and finally, finally had something to report. The messages in his tracking folder gave him the first hope he’d had since that godawful night. And eased slightly the headache that had been pounding at him for days.
He speed-dialed an all too familiar number, then put the phone on speaker so he could work while he talked. The call was picked up after only one ring.
“Esai?”
“Well, well. Pedro. Is that a positive note I hear in your voice? How nice for a change.”
Esai Osuna’s voice always grated on Peter’s nerves. And he hated it when he and Miguel called him Pedro. That was a part of his life he’d long ago buried and had no wish to resurrect, regardless of circumstances.
“Isn’t it, though.” Hold the sarcasm. He has no sense of humor.
“Have you found the car?”
“No, not yet. But it’s just a matter of time. We have eyes on every kind of road in five states. We’re covered no matter which way she went. Besides, it’s only been a few days. She can’t have gotten far. But—”
“Dios! Are you crazy? She could be anywhere.”
“Not in the junker she bought,” Peter told him.
“How many men does it take for a simple job?” Esai demanded. “Do we not have enough cops on our payroll in enough states to make sure she doesn’t slip through?”
Peter was clicking keys on the keyboard. “That may not matter. I’ve found something else.”
“What do you mean, not matter? Exactly what is going on? Answers. I want answers. Right now.”
Peter ground his teeth. He had to get out of this whole situation. Somehow. But not before he killed these two arrogant assholes. Slowly and painfully.
“Remember those web sites I set up that you and Miguel blew off as a waste of time? Sites that would bounce back to me and identify anyone who logged onto them?”
“Yes, yes, yes.” Esai’s impatience bounced through the connection.
“You both were so sure that nobody who mattered would be stupid enough to Google us, right?” Peter was working hard to keep the smugness from his voice. But didn’t he deserve at least one Gotcha?
There was a short pause. “Are you telling me you actually got results from them? Can you tell from where?”
“Yes. Despite a surprisingly sophisticated attempt to camouflage the source, I tracked it back. You’ll never believe to where?”
“Spit it out.”
“The library in San Antonio.”
“Here?” The man couldn’t hide his surprise and excitement. “In my town? So good fortune is smiling on us for a change.”
“I’d say it’s at least patting us on the head.”
“But can you be sure it’s her? We don’t need any more false starts here, Pedro.”
Damn you, Esai.
“I think it’s an unbelievable coincidence that Kathryn has ended up in San Antonio.”
“If indeed it’s her.” Esai’s voice was cautious.
“But who else would suddenly decide to search for information on me and the law firm?” Peter protested. “The feds certainly don’t use pub
lic computers, and no one else has a reason to be interested.”
“We’d better hope so,” the man warned.
“I’d say she’s stopped running, at least for a while. She obviously feels pretty confident she won’t be found out for her to risk something like this.”
“Do you think she’ll stay put? She’s been a step ahead of us every time we’ve had a lead. Why won’t she take off now?”
“It’s a chance we have to take. This is the closest we’ve come to her since our…miscalculations.” And God, how he hated remembering those. “You should have someone check it out.”
“If she’s in the area, finding her car should be that much easier. I’ll put men on it right away, looking for the car and anyone who resembles the bitch. And you had better get yourself on the next plane here.”
“Me?” Peter sat up straighter, pain shooting through his head. “Come to San Antonio? What the hell for?”
“Listen to me, Peter.” Esai’s voice was deceptively soft. And calling him Peter rather than Pedro was not a good sign. “This is your mess. You need to be here to clean it up. And I’ll be watching while you do it. Send Mickey home and have Diego come back here with you. Let me know your flight details, and I’ll send a car for you.”
Peter felt a trickle of sweat work its way down his spine. He’d hoped to see the last of Esai’s pet. Diego Salazar was a stone cold killer. The two men had been together since they were teenagers in Mexico, scrabbling out any kind of living they could. When the cartel was established, Esai had made a place for him and Salazar was fiercely loyal to him. Peter knew that Miguel would get rid of the man in a heartbeat, but he had a cold-blooded, vicious streak that made him valuable in his own way.
“I don’t think we need to involve him in this just yet,” Peter protested. “He can—”
“He can get on the plane with you and make sure you get where you’re supposed to be going.” The threat was boldly implied. Don’t think of running, or else.
“Listen,” he began again.
But he was listening to a dead line. He disconnected the call.
Shit, shit, shit.
How much worse could things get?
