Deadly Heat (Deadly #2)(94)

But it wasn’t just about that anymore. So many others—

“But I want you. I want you to give us time to see where the hell this is going because, sweetheart, I’ve never felt this way about a woman before, and I damn well don’t want to lose you.”

Her breath came too fast. He was offering her a chance at love again. Kent. A smart woman would grab hold with both hands.

Her hands locked around him. “You’re not losing me.” Being afraid of taking a chance—that wasn’t her either.

She hadn’t been afraid of life or of loving until Carter. Until she’d lost him.

Then she’d tried to lock herself away.

That plan hadn’t worked. Kenton had broken right through those locks.

Too soon? Too fast? Maybe. But screw it. Life was fast, and if she’d learned anything, it was that life could be over far, far too soon.

Take a chance. She nodded. For him, she’d take it.

She’d take the thrill and the fire and the passion. She’d take everything, and in the end, if ashes came, she wouldn’t regret being with him.

Not for a moment.

A knock rapped at the door. She wanted to ignore it and just stay right there in his arms.

“Guess that’s Garrison,” Kenton said.

Early? Probably. The man always did show up half an hour early for every party.

But Kenton didn’t release her. His forehead pressed against hers. “We’re not done.”

“Not even close,” she whispered back. Because fate had been kind to her. Too kind. Not just one man to love in her life.

Two.

A second chance.

Another knock. Then, “Lake, come on, open the door. I know you’re in there! Step away from the chick and open up!” A woman’s voice, sharp, a bit annoyed.

It was a voice that Lora hadn’t heard before.

He raised his head. “Kim?”

Who?

But he pulled away and fumbled for his clothes. “Hyde must have sent her down. Guess he thought we needed more backup.”

Lora pulled on a robe, an old, slightly frayed hotel robe that had been tossed over the back of a chair.

Kenton hurried for the door. He checked through the peephole, then pulled it open. “Donalds, when did you get into town?”

A small woman with coal-black hair brushed by him. “Fifty minutes ago. I brought the boss with me.”

Hyde? Hyde was back in town?

“They want you at the station.” She glanced at Lora, and the agent’s gaze raked over her. “You the firefighter?”

Lora raised a brow. “One of them.”

A nod. No change of expression crossed her face. The woman didn’t seem to care that the bed was wrecked, that Lora was in a robe, or that Kenton’s shirt was missing all of its buttons.

“I’m your chaperone for the day.” Her smile flashed in a wicked grin. “I got protective duty.” She slanted a glance at Kenton. “That’s why I didn’t bother calling first. Figured we’d just switch out… though I don’t think I’ll be offering quite the same services you just did.”

“Screw off, Kim.” His tone was light, at odds with the words.

She laughed. A quick, rich sound.

Lora frowned. “What’s going on? Why do they need Kenton at the station?”

“Monica has a lead. While Sam’s working it, Hyde’s chewing up the PD. I think he said he’d start with the captain.” She shrugged. “Kenton’s point man, so he needs to be there when the case breaks open.”

Lora’s stomach knotted as her gaze flew to his. “You’ll be careful?”

Another laugh rolled from Kim. “The man has a gun.” Her green, almond-shaped eyes gleamed. “He’ll be fine. You’re the civilian. If anyone’s a target, it’s—”

“Kim.” Not sounding so friendly anymore. Kenton’s voice was definitely entering the land of the pissed.

But the woman hadn’t said anything that Lora hadn’t already figured out. “So you’re my bodyguard?” Seriously, she could probably blow this woman over with a hard breath. Lora had at least seven inches on her, probably forty pounds and—

A lazy smile lifted Kim’s lips. “It’s your lucky day.”


He watched them leave. Garrison came for Lora. The old guy looked nervous as he glanced to the left, then the right. Lora walked out with her shoulders back and her chin up. No fear there. Stupid bitch. She’d learn.

Then another woman appeared. She was small—all hair and eyes, but she carried a gun. His eyes narrowed when he caught a glimpse of the holster beneath her left arm. Another f*cking agent trailing after Lora.

Like an agent was supposed to stop him. He didn’t care how many guards she had. He knew just how to get to Lora.

Too simple, really.

But then, it had always been simple.

Time was running out. He knew it. He’d checked with his source again just minutes before. The agents were running their search. They’d turn up his name.

They’d track him.

But he wouldn’t go down easy.

No, not easy.

He’d go down in flames because that was his way.

His way, and Lora’s.





CHAPTER Nineteen