Be With Me(101)

She stretched and tested the limits of her body. To her satisfaction, she found that she was limber, not stiff, and that she could move with no pain.

Good damn thing, because she needed flexibility if she was going to pul off her grand plan of seducing al three men into taking her at the same time. If they weren’t stil pissed at her. Fear gripped her. She’d never seen them so angry . . . or so resigned. That resignation frightened her.

She got up and took a quick shower, hoping she could be dressed and ready to go before any of the guys swooped in with painkil ers or demands to stay in bed. She needed to go into the station and tie up loose ends. And she needed to talk to her chief.

Ten minutes later, her hair stil wet, she headed down the stairs, prepared for the inevitable confrontation.

Al three guys were in the living room, and her hungry gaze found Hutch. Other than a bruise darkening the side of his face, he looked fine.

They al looked up when she walked over to where they sat.

“What the hel are you doing up?” Sawyer demanded.

She ignored him and went over to where Hutch was slouched on the sofa. For a moment she hesitated, afraid he’d reject her advances. Then she steeled herself and hooked her leg over his, straddling his lap. His arms came around her at the same time hers curved around his neck. She hugged him fiercely and kissed the side of his neck.

“Thank goodness you’re al right,” she whispered.

“I could say the same for you,” he murmured as he stroked her hair. “And it’s thanks to you that I’m okay.

Even if I’m pissed as hel that you put yourself in front of me like that.”

He pulled her away so he could look her in the face. His anger was building even as he fought with the relief he felt over her safety. He was as transparent as plastic wrap.

“I swear to God, if you ever pul a stunt like that again, baby, I’m going to lock you in a damn cage.” She raised one eyebrow then leaned forward and kissed him into silence. Then before he could react, she shoved off his lap. “Anyone seen my keys?” Three sets of confused stares locked onto her.

“Why on earth do you need your keys?” Cam asked.

“I have to run to the station,” she said calmly. “I need to talk to the chief. It’s important. I won’t be long.”

“Reggie, we have to talk,” Sawyer said firmly.

She softened just a bit as she stared into his blue eyes.

“I know we have to talk,” she said quietly. “This is something I need to take care of. Then I’l be back.”

“At least let one of us drive you in,” Hutch protested.

She shook her head. “I’l be fine.” She glanced over at Cam to judge his reaction, but his features were locked in stone. She had a feeling he was going to be the hardest sale when she came back to grovel.

She sighed and squared her shoulders. She wouldn’t let herself dwel on her possible failure.

“I’l be back,” she said firmly.

“Wil you?” Cam asked in a distant voice. “Or have you already left?”

Her gaze swung back to his, met his dark, unreadable eyes. He was sewn up tight. No emotion.

In total self-preservation mode. And the damndest thing about it was she couldn’t even blame him.

She’d hurt him. Hurt them al with her continued resistance, her stubbornness.

“I’l be back, Cam,” she said softly. “The question wil be whether you stil want me.”

Without waiting for his response, not that she expected one, she turned and walked toward the front door. Her keys were lying on the table in the hal , and she scooped them up and walked into the midday sun.

Chapter 37

Carl and David sat in on her statement, and she went over every single detail of her encounter with Daniel Bishop. Daniel remained in stable condition in the hospital despite suffering two gunshot wounds. One from her and one from Jeremy.

After two hours of the exhausting, painstaking rendering of details, Carl and David excused her with their thanks. She stumbled into the hal way and started toward the chief’s office. When she rounded the corner, she nearly ran headlong into her father.

He caught her arms to steady her then held her out as he stared down at her. “Regina,” he said stiffly. “I assume you’re wel ?”

She was too tired and too impatient to get back home to stand around exchanging barbs with dear ole dad.

“I’m fine,” she muttered. “If you’l excuse me, I need to see Chief Witherspoon.”

He hesitated for a moment and then his lips drew in. “Your mother was worried,” he said gruffly. Not I was worried. Your mother was worried. Regina sighed and shook her head.

“Tel Lydia I’m fine.”

She stepped away, forcing him to release her arms, then walked around him and down the hal .

She tapped at the chief’s open door. “May I come in, sir?”

The chief looked up from behind his desk.

“Regina, of course. Come in.”

She walked in and closed the door behind her.

Taking a deep breath, she walked over to the chair in front of his desk and wiped her damp palms down the legs of her jeans.

She settled into the chair but sat forward on the edge, her posture stiff and tense.

The chief stared speculatively at her. “Is something wrong, Regina?”