The bottom line was, you played the cards life dealt you. And right now, he was looking at a losing hand.
He needed to get away from the two pairs of eyes looking to him for leadership. “I’m going for a walk down by the waterfront. I’ll be back in a couple of hours.”
“Do you want me to come with you? Kenny will be all right hanging out here alone.” She shot Kenny a look that warned him not to argue.
Maybe that was a good idea. Her company always had a calming effect on him. “Sure. Let’s go.”
On the way out, he looked back at Kenny. “By the way, kid, you did good last night. You were there for me.”
“The whole thing was totally sick.” Then Kenny grinned at Sean. “But if you really want to show your gratitude, bring me back some ice cream—chocolate mocha.” He held up two fingers. “Two scoops.”
“You got it.”
Tara was waiting for him out in the hallway. As soon as he closed the apartment door, she took his hand. A small burst of warmth traveled up his arm, and he didn’t complain. Right now, he needed all the comfort he could get. They escaped into the warm sunshine outside and headed down toward the waterfront. Tara always liked watching the boats, and he found the scents and sounds near the water soothing. Hand in hand, they walked in silence, soaking up the sun. The quiet wouldn’t last for long, but she was giving him time to chill out before they had to talk about what had happened last night.
Finally, he just blurted it out. “It’s getting worse.”
He tried never to keep things from Tara. What affected him affected her just as much, if not more.
“The need to hunt, or the reason you hunt?”
“I don’t know. Both, I think. It’s bound to take more energy with three of us using it. But no matter how often I hunt, there never seems to be enough to go around. I hunger for it all the time, to the point I hurt all over. Touching you helps, but not as much as it used to.”
He leaned against a low concrete wall and stared at a container ship making its way through the Sound. Sometimes he wished he could sail away on one of those mammoth ships and leave all this behind. But he couldn’t outrun himself, and he’d never be able to abandon Tara. He needed her like he needed the energy he stole from strangers. She’d been the one brightness in his life for a long time.
“God, Tara, it was awful. I’ve never been as out of control as I was last night. It was bad enough that it happened, but to have Kenny see it wasn’t good…I’m supposed to be teaching him how to survive, not how to screw up big-time.”
Tara leaned against him, offering him the comfort of her touch. When she twined her fingers in his, he moaned with relief as her warmth seeped into his soul. It had always been that way between them from the moment they’d met, like calling to like. He forced himself to tell her what was really bothering him.
“If I get to be a danger to you and the kid, you need to get help. I couldn’t bear it if I hurt you or Kenny.”
“That won’t happen,” she said with conviction. “You might lose control with a stranger, but never us.”
“I wish I believed that, but I don’t.”
Her smile was so sweet. “Well, then I’ll believe it enough for both of us.”
Her hug warmed him from the inside out. Maybe his cards were better than he’d thought. He decided to treat them both to a little extra.
“I’ve got enough money for us to tour the aquarium if you’d like.”
Tara launched herself at him for another hug. “I’d like. I’d really like.”
“Then let’s do it.”
He always liked seeing all the brightly colored fish, and Tara could spend hours watching the otters play. As he passed the ticket seller the cash, a wave of darkness washed through him. Was this the last time he’d get to do this with Tara? God, he hoped not. But if his problems worsened to the point that he was a threat to her safety, he’d be gone.
“Sean, is something wrong?”
He had to work harder to hide his fears. “No, I’m fine, Tara. Let’s go see if the otters have missed you.”
She laughed, just as he’d hoped, and dragged him through the door and into the soothing darkness inside. Maybe on the way out, they’d stop at the gift shop to pick up a couple of cheap souvenirs. Something with an otter for Tara, and something for him to take with him if he had to leave her and Kenny behind. He’d need all the good memories he could scrounge.
Three hours later, they finally left the aquarium. Tara was still smiling at the postcards they’d picked out in the gift shop.
“We’d better get that ice cream and get back to Kenny,” Sean said. “He’s on his best behavior right now, but it won’t last—especially if we keep him penned up too long.”
She smiled. “Make mine a double scoop of chocolate.”
“It’s a deal.”
Chapter 7
Ranulf glanced up with a frown. “About time you reported in, Kearn. We expected you long before this.”
“Stuff it, Viking.” Sandor poured himself a cup of coffee and snagged the apple off Ranulf’s plate, then dropped into his usual seat.
Ranulf glared at him. “If you had any manners, you’d wait until Hughes brought you your own food.”
Sandor glared right back at him. “You’re a fine one to talk about manners, considering you were born before forks were invented. I’m surprised you still don’t slurp your soup straight from the bowl.”
“Boys, boys,” Kerry chided as she sat between them. “Hughes will be in with more food in a minute.”
She eyed her husband’s plate and took some grapes for herself. “I’m sure you won’t starve before he gets here.”
Ranulf pushed his plate toward the middle of the table, where Sandor and Kerry could both reach it.
“So, Sandor, I tried calling your house early this morning.” Kerry eyed him with curiosity. “There was no answer, and evidently your cell was turned off.”
“I stayed with Lena to make sure she was all right, meaning to leave once she was resting comfortably. However, I didn’t take into consideration how tired I was. I conked out and stayed that way until she woke me up this morning.”
Ranulf laughed. “She struck me as the kind of woman who wouldn’t take kindly to finding an uninvited guest in her bed.” He gave Sandor the once-over. “You don’t look all bruised up.”
Sandor gave him a scathing look. “Unlike some people I could mention, I’m a gentleman,” he said, referring to the night Ranulf had watched over Kerry and ended up doing far more than making sure she slept well. “I spent the night in a chair, and have the stiff neck to prove it.”
Kerry asked, “So did you two talk about what happened in the alley last night?”
He nodded. “She remembered me capturing her and dragging her into the alley to talk. Then she told me what she saw through Mary Dubois’s eyes about the renegade’s attack. She’s pretty sure there were two attackers, not one. I don’t think Lena’s ever told anyone about her ability to read scenes before. She was sure I wouldn’t believe her.”
Ranulf nodded. “That’s probably true; she’d have been afraid they’d think she was crazy. But, if she can read people that easily, you’d think it would interfere with her daily life more.”
“You don’t read everyone you get near. Maybe she’s like you—except she’s much prettier and easier to get along with.”
Ranulf’s response was predictable. “Go to hell.”
“Been there. Done that.” Sandor took another bite of apple as he thought about Lena’s reactions. “I think her gift is keyed more to acts of violence. If that’s the case, she was able to read Mary’s experience so clearly only because of the nature of the attack.”
Uncomfortable, he got up and walked over to the window. “And I think she might have briefly read me, too, though she didn’t say anything this morning. When I pulled her away from Mary Dubois last night, she looked up at me with such…horror.”
The scrape of a chair warned him that
Kerry was coming to join him. He moved away, avoiding her attempt to comfort him.
Despite his rejection, she stayed close by. “How do you know it wasn’t Mary she was thinking about?”
“Because I could sense her revulsion. What she felt for Mary’s attack had a different taste to it. She hated what she learned about me.”
“What happened to Bradan wasn’t your fault, Sandor. I know he was your friend, but he’d turned into a monster and deserved to die. You only did what was necessary for the good of everyone.”
He knew Bradan deserved to die, and his death wasn’t what haunted Sandor’s dreams—it was the brief flash of pleasure at making Bradan suffer as much as possible while Sandor sucked the life force from his former friend. Maybe Kerry didn’t think less of him for the lapse, but he hated himself for it.
He moved on. “I’ve invited Lena to join me for dinner tonight and then on my hunt for the renegades.”
“Why?” Kerry merely sounded curious.
“Because she’d follow me anyway, and her gift might come in handy.” And he really, really wanted to spend more time with her.
Ranulf wasn’t quite so accepting. “I’ve read this woman, Sandor. She’s a real law-and-order type. Doesn’t she wonder why you’re hunting down these renegades instead of leaving it to the police?”
“She asked, but she didn’t press for details when I pointed out that the attacks happened in several jurisdictions and the police haven’t been able to connect the dots. I ascribed that to how badly shaken she’d been, but I’m going to have to come up with something believable by tonight, because she’s bound to ask at some point.”
Kerry nodded. “I’ve been thinking that we should get you licensed as a private investigator. A real one.”
“I’ll give it some thought.” Time to leave. But before he could make good his escape, Hughes finally showed up with a huge lunch for all of them. Giving in to the inevitable, Sandor sat back down and dug in. At least eating would help pass the time until his date with Lena. He couldn’t wait.
Lena looked at herself in the fitting room mirror and did a slow turn.
This is just plain stupid. She had a perfectly good skirt back in her hotel room. Why did she feel compelled to buy something new for a business dinner with a man she barely knew?
Even on sale, the cost of the dress and shoes made her wince, but she’d known the minute she’d slipped the dress over her head that she had to have it. The silken material brushed across her skin with a gentle touch, and the soft blue emphasized her eyes and set off her tan to perfection. The sandals made her legs look good, but they’d also hold up for long walks. She didn’t have many occasions for such an outfit, but the styles were classic and would last for years.
But really, all she truly cared about was wearing something wonderful for Sandor Kearn. Even in jeans and a casual shirt, he looked like he belonged in a fashion magazine. If they were going to pass for a couple out for the evening, she couldn’t look like his poor relation.
She had also bought a new lacy bra and panties. She wasn’t sure she wanted Sandor to know about those, but after that kiss in her hotel room, she might be willing to let him in on the secret.
“That dress was so made with you in mind.” The clerk, a matronly woman in her early sixties, motioned for Lena to do another turn. “I’m supposed to say that no matter what the outfit looks like, but in this case it’s true. Whoever the lucky guy is, I’d like to be a mouse in the corner when he sees you in that.” She fanned her face with her hand. “I bet he goes into a serious meltdown.”
Lena blushed. “Thank you.”
“I don’t know if you’re going to thank me when you see this.” The woman brought out a shawl from behind her back, settled it over Lena’s shoulders, and smiled at Lena’s reflection in the mirror. “This isn’t on sale, but I’ll give you the same discount on it as the dress. They look like they were made for each other, but the shawl is also practical. Summer evenings can be chilly here in Seattle, and you’ll be glad you have it if you spend any time outside.”
Lena decided she must have Soft Touch branded on her forehead, but the woman was right. The shawl set the dress off to perfection. “Add it onto the bill. I’ll be living on tuna and cold cereal for a month, but it’s worth it.”
“Honey, I’d live on cat food if I looked that good in it.” The woman laughed as she left the fitting room.
Lena took one last twirl, then reluctantly turned herself back into a pumpkin with her jeans and T-shirt.
Sandor wore the duster because Lena had asked him to. The supple leather billowed and swirled around his legs as he strode down the sidewalk. He’d originally bought it because it hid his weapons, but if he’d known it would put that look in an attractive woman’s eyes, he’d have bought one much sooner.
Lena was taking a cab to the restaurant. Maybe she had other business to tend to first, but more likely she wanted to avoid another heated encounter in her hotel room. Well, he planned to kiss her again as soon as possible, then see where the evening led from there.
How long was she going to be in Seattle? He was in no hurry for her to leave, with this passion simmering between them, but he didn’t want her here long enough to find out that he was a professional killer. Considering her career, he seriously doubted she’d find that attractive in a potential lover.
He reached the restaurant early and leaned against a railing to wait outside. As some other patrons went by, he noticed they gave him a wide berth.
Maybe his warrior nature showed more than he thought, but it could also be the coat. He’d never noticed that reaction when he’d worn a suit. Unless the changes inside him were showing on the outside—maybe in his eyes?
A cab turned into the parking lot, and he could tell that the passenger had golden blond hair. He stayed were he was and watched. When the cab pulled up to the sidewalk, the driver actually got out and came around to open the passenger door.
Hot damn! One look at those long legs stepping out of the cab made one important part of his body stand at full attention, giving him another reason to be glad for the coat. The woman was drop-dead gorgeous. He hoped his tongue wasn’t hanging out when he stepped out of the shadows.
For a brief instant she looked unsure of herself, then her shoulders went back as she started toward him. He could have spent hours watching her dress swirl around her legs as she walked. He managed to jerk his eyes up to look her in the eye, admiring the curve of her waist and the way the fabric clung to her body along the way.
“You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Lena gave him the once-over right back. “So do you. I do like that coat.”
Her impudent grin was adorable. He held out his hand, and when she took it, he tugged her into his arms for a quick kiss.
“I’ve missed you.”
Damn, he hadn’t meant to let that slip out. He led her toward the restaurant. “I hope you like seafood. The chef here specializes in it.”
“I love any and all of it. When I left Seattle, I chose the East Coast to be near fresh seafood. I’ve seriously missed Dungeness crab, though.”
The maître d’ led them to the corner table that Sandor had requested so that Lena could look out at Lake Union. A scattering of sailboats out on the water added to the picturesque view.
“Have you ever eaten here before?” he asked once they were alone.
“Years ago, but I think it’s been remodeled since then. The view is certainly lovely.”
She slipped off the shawl, revealing even more of her lovely skin. He closed his eyes and imagined nibbling his way from her shoulder up to her jawline and beyond. The direction his thoughts had taken must have been a bit too obvious, because Lena’s cheeks flushed pink.
Even so, she met his gaze head-on. “So where are we going to patrol tonight?”
For now, business was probably a safer topic. “I thought we’d wander the piers and along the waterfront shops. Whoever’s behind the attacks doesn’t al
ways strike two nights in a row, though, so I’m not convinced we’ll see any action.”
Of that kind, anyway. He was hoping for some far more pleasurable action before the evening was over. His place or hers, it didn’t matter as long as there was a lock on the door to keep out the world.
Over the course of the meal, they discovered they had similar tastes in movies, but not in music. Although Sandor could appreciate some country and western, he much preferred classic rock and blues.
Lena passed on dessert but cheerfully demanded bites of the wickedly rich chocolate cake that Sandor ordered. The way she savored each and every crumb, her eyes half shut in bliss, nearly drove him over the edge. When they ran out of excuses to linger any longer they had a good-natured squabble over the bill, but Sandor snagged the check and paid it while Lena stepped into the ladies’ room.
“You can buy next time,” he promised, fingers crossed, as they walked out to his sports car.
He unlocked it with his remote, and Lena sighed with pleasure as she settled into the soft leather seat. When he turned the key and the engine roared to life, she grinned.
“Oooh, I bet this baby really rips up the highway.”
“I suppose it would, but the speed limit is only sixty or seventy miles an hour, depending whether you’re in town or out in the boonies.”
Lena snorted. “Yeah, right. You’ve got all those horses corralled under the hood and you drive like an old lady? Tell me another one.”
He gave her an innocent look. “I’ll have you know I’m a law-abiding citizen.”
That cracked her up big-time. “Sandor Kearn, ’fess up. What’ll she do?”
He winked at her. “Rumor has it that she’ll top out at one-seventy in the straightaway, but I’m only telling you what I’ve heard on the streets.”
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