Open Wounds (Harbour Bay #2)(10)

Dean finally appeared to notice the thick tension in the air. He reclined in his seat, stretching his long body out. His thick golden eyebrow quirked up when his gaze landed on Amelia, head down, fingers practically slamming on the keyboard as she typed. She hadn’t looked up and by the tight thin line of her lips, they knew from experience it wouldn’t be a fun day. Dean sent him an enquiring look. He shrugged in reply before turning his attention towards Kellie.

***

Darryl knew when Dean’s foggy mind cleared. His eyes widened and his mouth parted, his jaw almost resting on his chest as he took in the beautiful woman standing before him. Dean gave her a slow stare that made Darryl clench his hands into fists. What the hell was wrong with him? Would his hackles go up every time a man dared look at Kellie? He’d almost ripped Nick’s arms off when he’d pulled her in for a hug. What the hell was going on between those two?

He knew Nick didn’t get involved with women he worked with, but obvious affection existed between the two of them. An easy friendship and camaraderie that made him jealous. He rubbed a hand over his face and felt the beginnings of his five o’clock shadow.

He had no reason to be jealous, but apparently he hadn’t got the memo yet. Nick was allowed to date whomever he wished, and so was Kellie. He glanced at the woman who stood in the middle of the Pig Pen—the name for the Detective Unit’s bullpen—oblivious to the male attention she received as she watched Amelia. He shivered at the memory of her soft, satiny female skin against his much rougher male texture when they’d shaken hands. She was beautiful, completely feminine, and that seemed to call to everything male in him.

She may have worn three inch heels that made her legs look like they went on forever, but she still stood several inches shorter than his six-foot frame. His gaze roamed her body in appreciation. Her breasts were small but pert and demurely covered by her blouse. When she moved, he caught the outline of her lacy bra beneath. Was she wearing a matching pair of underwear—maybe even a thong? Her hair had been styled artfully, and he knew if he ran his fingers through what were sure to be soft tresses, every strand would fall back into place. His body warmed, his blood rushing south and his fingers tingled to do just that.

What was happening to him? He’d never had such a visceral response to a woman before. Especially one who worked for the enemy. He couldn’t forget that. What the hell had happened between the two women to bring about the animosity he’d witnessed in Harris’s office? Whatever it was, it had been buried deep. It made for a volatile combination.

He hoped she wasn’t out for blood. She could easily destroy Donovan. He prayed his instincts about her were correct, and that she planned to do just as she said, that she wasn’t out to ruin careers.

“Kellie Munroe, Detective Senior Sergeant Dean Matthews. Sergeant Munroe is IA.” Darryl made the introductions, though he didn’t feel in the mood to share her.

How ridiculous. He had only met the woman roughly thirty minutes ago. He knew absolutely nothing about her, and what he did know, he wasn’t sure he liked. His body desired her, and why not? She was an attractive woman, but he had no designs on her. Certainly no rights.

It had been a while since any woman had taken his interest. It was like an electric shock to his system.

Kellie turned to face Dean and smiled. Dean blinked in surprise as she came closer and held out her hand. He shook it politely before releasing it.

“I’m not all that bad,” she told him.

Amelia gave an unladylike snort. “Kellie is here to watch me. Apparently I can’t do my job without some paper pusher observing me. Someone who has no idea what real police work is like. When was the last time you held a gun, Kel?”

Kellie’s eyes narrowed at Amelia; there must have been something about what she said that hit a nerve. Her easy demeanour disappeared and a hardness washed over her.

“You shouldn’t be concerned with my competencies, Mia. I’m not the one dangling over a precipice.”

Darryl moved to intercede before it got out of hand. He never thought he’d be juggling two women like they were grenades missing the pins. He placed his hand on Kellie’s back to remind her of where they were and glared at his partner.

“How about you two knock it off?” he suggested.

They both nodded, and he dropped his hand, feeling her absence from his touch acutely. He seriously needed to get a handle on himself.

Kellie stared at Amelia. She looked like she wanted to say something, then decided against it as Amelia scooped up her files.

“Let’s get this over with.”





Chapter 6



Amelia stared across the interview table at Michael Lambert, all while trying to ignore Kellie’s constant presence as she stood unobtrusively in the corner beside the door watching the interview unfold. She didn’t need this right now, still felt pissed, annoyed that Kellie of all people had been sent to make a judgment call on her actions. The unresolved past caused her to feel the pain she had long ago pushed aside. Her temper had risen to the surface, making her more volatile than usual, and was barely containing the emotions she kept buried.

She swallowed around the lump in her throat and ruthlessly turned her attention to her suspect before she did something unforgivable—like cry. She had known Kellie worked for IA just two floors above her, but she’d always kept her distance and had managed to unintentionally avoid her. But now she was here, her blue gaze unwavering as she seemed to stare straight into Amelia’s soul. She felt her judging and condemning gaze, almost buckling beneath the weight of it.