Trusting Danger (Danger, #2)(21)

“We need to get out of here.” He reached for her elbow but she pulled away and glared at him, although her hands trembled at her sides.

“No way. Prove who you are!”

Realizing he was fighting a losing battle, Grayson snatched his phone from his pocket and thrust it at her. “Dial four-one-one and have Information connect you to the Phoenix Task Force in DC. Ask for Joanne; she’s our admin. She’ll tell you who I am. But for God’s sake, hurry.”

Her doubt written all over her face, Claire did as he asked. Within thirty seconds, she had the confirmation she needed and didn’t meet his eyes as she handed back his phone.

“Happy now?”

Staring at the ground, she nodded.

As he grasped her elbow firmly, Grayson steered Claire back toward the gas station, trying not to feel bad about the dirt stains on the rear of her expensive slacks and jacket. If she’d only listened to him, though, he wouldn’t have had to tackle her.

Damn stubborn woman . . .

Jeremy had come through the convenience store and was waiting for them at the edge of the woods. “Everything all right?” His worried gaze shifted from Grayson to Claire.

“Everything’s fine.” Grayson tossed him the keys. “You drive. I’ll keep Miss Parker company in the back.”

They hadn’t even gotten into the Suburban before she stopped short and said, “I can’t go anywhere until my family knows where I am.”

Grayson closed his eyes and did his best to summon more patience. It was like drawing water from a dry well. “You said they couldn’t be reached.”

“Then I need to call my father’s chief of staff.”

“Fine.” He yanked his phone from his pocket—again—and handed it to Claire.

“But I don’t have his number. I need my phone.”

Grayson huffed out a frustrated breath as he fished her phone from his pocket and set the battery pack inside. Once she’d retrieved the number, he removed the battery again and stuck it and the phone back in his pocket.

“Peter!” Claire spoke quickly once she reached him on Grayson’s phone, explaining what was going on. She was silent for a few seconds as she listened before saying, “Yes. With a unit called Phoenix.”

She handed the phone to Grayson. “He wants to speak with you.”

As Grayson set the phone against his ear, an angry voice boomed, “This is Peter Cooley, Senator Parker’s chief of staff. What the hell is going on?”

Grayson identified himself and gave the man a rundown very similar to the one Claire had relayed. When he’d finished, Peter demanded, “I need to know exactly where you’re taking her.”

“I’m sorry, sir, but I can’t tell you that.”

“Then I’ll need the name of your supervisor.”

Clenching his teeth at the man’s rude tone, Grayson rattled off Eli’s name and number.

“Nice guy,” Grayson muttered once he’d ended the call.

Claire gave him a sheepish look. “We need to stop at my place now.”

“What?”

“I need to get my dog.”

She no longer looked scared. If anything, she looked embarrassed. And she should be. His leg was still throbbing where she’d kicked him.

“I’m here to worry about you, not a dog.”

In a move he’d thought only a three-year-old could pull off, Claire folded her arms across her chest. “I’m not going anywhere without my dog.”

Exasperated, Grayson shook his head in disbelief. What is with this woman? Doesn’t she get the danger she’s in?

“Who cares if we die as long as the dog’s okay,” he said sarcastically as he glared back at her. “Do I have it right?”

Claire drew in a sharp breath through her nose and clamped her mouth shut.

Dropping his chin forward, he rubbed the back of his neck as he thought, trying to summon patience. “Who was taking care of your dog while you were gone?”

“My dog sitter. She should have dropped him off at my place by now.”

Grayson’s head snapped up. “Then let her keep taking care of him.”

“How can she if I can’t communicate with her?” Claire’s voice rose, sounding shrill. “Please take me home. If you don’t, this really is a kidnapping.”

Jeremy caught his eye. “Let’s get the dog, Gray. Metro has been keeping an eye on her place since we left, so it should be fine.”

He met his partner’s gaze and grimaced. Jeremy might still have patience with this debutante, but he hadn’t been the one who’d had to chase after Claire.

Grayson threw his hands in the air. “Fine. We’ll go back for the damn dog.”





Chapter Sixteen





When Agent Cox finally pulled into an open parking spot on the street in front of Claire’s building, she finally allowed her tense shoulders to relax. The whole way here, she’d been afraid they’d renege on their agreement to drive her back to get Charlie.

That Agent Matthews is crazy if he thinks I’d leave my dog in danger.

As Cox stopped at the curb, she opened her door.

“No.” Matthews’s hand shot out, gripping her by the arm. “I’m going in by myself.” He caught Cox’s eye in the rearview mirror. “Got her?”