“Where in the hell are you, Hunt?” Maybe she shouldn’t be here but since Hunt had left the pain in her heart had grown so strong she thought she might suffocate. And the walls inside the luxurious hotel room had started to close in, making her take the risk of turning to a man who might not even want her there.
Curling up onto the sofa, she rested her head atop a padded arm and watched the lanterns lining the walk outside reflect off the wall mirror above her. She couldn’t remember ever feeling this desolate.
For years she’d been alone, prided herself on living a life without needing anyone. But something had changed the day she met Hunt. Not right away, but it had changed. He’d made an impact on her in the short time she’d known him, and his presence comforted her even though the mere thought made her wince.
She’d never considered herself one of those weak women who needed a man to survive but she’d be lying to herself if she didn’t admit she needed him…at least for now. Maybe when Dani was found Carley could go back to the way things were before. Maybe.
Her fingertips brushed the locket connected to the gold chain secured around her neck. It had belonged to her mom, and the day after she died Ben had given it to Carley.
The memory stirred in her mind and, without even realizing it, she swiped at the wetness on her cheeks. The tears surprised her.
She’d been crying when her father had brought the locket into her bedroom. He’d always said crying served no purpose. It was better to do than lie around and cry. That time, though, he hadn’t chastised her. He’d sat on the edge of her bed with the pink bedspread and held her while he told stories about how he and her mother had met and why he’d become a thief.
Smiling a little, Carley sat up on the sofa. No one would ever understand her like her father had. In spite of what he’d done, he’d been her idol, and though she’d never intended to follow in his footsteps, she trained alongside him, learning how to be agile and adept. At just twelve years old she could shimmy under laser lines, walk a thin wire ten feet off the ground that was stretched from one end of her father’s workshop to the other and somersault better than an Olympic gymnast.
Still, she’d never thought she’d use the skills…until her dad had been diagnosed with cancer ten years later and found himself unable to finish a job for a client with a nasty temper. She’d taken the assignment and, with her father’s health rapidly declining, took over the family business as well, using the last few years of his life to glean the additional knowledge she needed to become a success.
She rubbed her palms over her cheeks and mentally chastised herself. Those memories belonged in the past. The present needed her more.
Dani needed her more. After that…who knew what would happen?
She’d idly thought about quitting but the time never seemed right. There was always another job around the corner, and Carley didn’t know what she’d do with herself if she wasn’t a thief. It wasn’t like she had experience doing anything else.
But now, as she lay on Hunt’s sofa, breathing in his scent, she wondered if this time was the right time. Once Dani was found Carley would have to tell her the truth. She couldn’t risk her sister’s life again even though Dani hadn’t been taken as a direct result of Carley’s actions.
Dani would need to know, to protect herself, and Carley would just have to risk her sister’s disappointment. If it meant Dani stayed safe she’d tell her younger sibling the truth and let the consequences fall wherever they fell.
“You really think that will work?” Hunt had heard worse plans than the one his partner was suggesting. Of course he’d need to run it by his superiors, but it just might work.
Dave grinned and scooted his chair around the corner of his desk. “Hell yeah. You know how much of a stickler Franklin is for details. You think your girl is up to it?”
“She’ll do anything to help her sister.”
“Then we have a plan.” Dave smacked him on the shoulder and got to his feet with a yawn. “I’m going to go hit a holding cell and grab a few zzzs. Top bunk’s all yours if you want it.”
“No, I think I’m going to go home. I’ll need to swing by the hotel tomorrow morning anyway to talk to Carley.”
“Yeah, yeah. One excuse is just as good as another.” Dave paused en route to the small cell around the corner from the break room. “You gonna tell her you told me?”
Hunt snagged his coat from the back of his chair and slung it over one shoulder. “No, I thought I’d take all the credit for this plan myself.” He sauntered toward the exit. “Try not to snore. The last time you slept in there the drunks complained that you kept them awake.”
Dave gave a snort of laughter, started walking then stopped again. “Hey, partner?”
“Yeah?”
“Be careful. Until we know what we’re in here, just watch your back.”
He studied the glass of amber liquid. Funny how something so small could be so powerful. Franklin sloshed the whiskey back and poured another, his only goal to use the alcohol to erase his memories…at least for the night.
Tomorrow he’d have to face Rena again, try to convince her to give up her crazy plan. Once Dani had told them about her father Franklin had known they were in deep shit. He should have listened to his instincts and gotten rid of her.
As the silent admonition wagged its finger in his mind he sat up straight, forgetting all about the whiskey. Maybe it wasn’t too late. He could still make this right.
The idea took root, making him almost giddy with relief. Rena might not like his solution to the problem but the way he saw it she just wasn’t thinking clearly. Her eyes were on the potential for money while his eyes were on the potential for disaster, and trying to take another Morgan was just asking for trouble.
No, things would be better his way. Tomorrow he’d take care of Dani. Rena would just have to accept his decision.
Chapter Seven
Headlights illuminated the living room for a brief second before dying along with the engine of Hunt’s SUV. Carley held her breath, anticipating his anger.
A key turned in the deadbolt followed by a swift curse. The front door swung open and footsteps tapped against the hardwood floor just across the threshold. The snick of a light switch preceded the glare of the overhead light and Carley sat up on the sofa, dragging her knees to her chest.
For a long moment they stared at each other across the short distance. Neither spoke. Or blinked. Carley wanted to say something but no words would come.
He dropped his keys to a wrought iron table, kicked the door shut and walked toward her. “I guess I don’t have to ask how you got in here.”
She shook her head. “I know I shouldn’t be here.”
Hunt shrugged out of his jacket, tossing it across the arm of a nearby leather recliner. “Didn’t say that. But you might want to think about dropping by like an ordinary person just in case one of my nosy neighbors sees you.” He sat beside her on the couch, touched her leg. “They might call the police.” A smile tugged at his lips.
Relief flooded through her and without thinking, she turned in to his embrace. She didn’t want to question why she buried her face against his shoulder. At that moment she just needed someone else’s strength for hers had been fully depleted. “I haven’t heard anything else. I don’t know if Dani’s okay.”
He stroked her back, his embrace tightening. “I’m sorry.”
“She’s gone, isn’t she?” The press of her lips against his shirt muffled the words.
Hunt shifted on the sofa to draw her closer. “I don’t know. I wish I did.”
Tears threatened to choke her. Instead Carley opted to pull away in an attempt to regain composure. She didn’t come here to fall apart. “Doesn’t matter. I know the answer.”
Hunt didn’t try to persuade her to hold on to hope or offer her some rusty line of comfort. Instead he just watched her, occasionally stroking his hand down her hair while she tried not to cry.
“I actually went by the
hotel looking for you.”
She sat up straight to see his face. “You did?” She ignored the flutter of hope inside her heart.
“Yeah. I think my partner and I have a way to make your sister’s disappearance an official police investigation without involving you. Well, technically not involving you.” He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “We just need you to make a phone call to the station to report her disappearance.”
Carley swiped at the tears still gathered in her eyes. “But if your lieutenant is behind all of this, he already knows about me. So I am involved.”
Hunt leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips. “Not as far as the police are concerned you aren’t. Once Franklin sees the report from missing persons he’ll know his time is even shorter than the forty-eight hour window his minions gave you. If he hasn’t moved Dani he will, and Dave and I will be on him. He won’t leave our sights.”
The answer offered some relief but Carley couldn’t shake the worry knotting the muscles at the base of her neck. “He could have already hurt her, gotten rid of her.” A thick lump the size of an orange lodged in her throat, making further speech difficult.
She struggled to hold on to the control that was rapidly slipping through her fingers but a look at Hunt’s weary face gave her an added boost of strength to summon a smile. “Well you look beat. I guess I should let you get to bed.”
He got to his feet without a word and held out his hand.
She looked up at him. “Is that an invitation to stay?”
“You might as well. It’s not like I can keep you out even if I wanted to.” A wink softened the words and Carley slipped her hand into his.
Hunt poured a second cup of coffee, extending it to Carley just as she walked into the kitchen. She looked casually comfortable, dressed in pajama pants and a long t-shirt that skimmed her hips. When she climbed up onto one of the barstools and blinked at him sleepily, his body responded instantly, reminding him of the long, painful night he’d spent holding her while she’d slept. In retrospect, his invitation for her to stay had been a really bad idea, but she’d needed someone even though she’d never admit it. He croaked out an appropriate greeting and moved behind the granite-topped island.
Carley took a sip of the coffee and peered at him over the rim, her eyes heavy with the last remnants of slumber. “Good morning.”
“Do you want some breakfast?” He turned away from her. Better that than to risk forgoing work altogether just to spend another hour or two in bed with her. And this time sleep wouldn’t be involved at all.
“No. I’m fine, but thanks. I need to get back to the hotel anyway. I guess that would be the best place to make the call from.”
Hunt rinsed out his mug and plunked it down next to the sink before he felt reasonably in control enough to even face her. Big mistake. She’d hiked one leg up onto the stool and the sight of her perfect curves dried up all the saliva in his mouth.
“Actually, your cell phone would be best. You can block the call easier.” He cleared his throat and looked away. “You’re welcome to stay here if you’d like.”
He heard her slide off the stool, her bare feet against the stone tiles as she walked toward him. “Is there a reason why you’re acting so strange?” She crossed the threshold into his personal space and kissed close enough to his lips to make him turn his head, seeking more.
Without conscious thought, the act as natural as breathing, he wrapped his arms around her. “Not strange. Careful. You’re dangerous to a man’s career.” He stroked his knuckles down her cheek.
A smile bloomed on her face and this time she made the kiss count. Giving a soft sound of pleasure, she leaned into him, her lips meeting his.
As much as he wanted to, Hunt didn’t deepen the kiss. His senses were already muddled enough after spending last night with Carley in his bed. She’d entwined her long legs with his, pressed her breasts against his arm and fallen asleep as naturally as though she’d slept with him all of her life. And he liked it. Too much.
Carley cupped his face and leaned back. “I’ll have to pass on staying here. Once I report Dani’s disappearance, I’ve got some work to do.”
The words were an icy slap. She called crime her work. He pulled away from her. “I wasn’t aware you were working in the city.”
She set her mug down next to his. “Is that your way of asking if I’m planning on stealing something while I’m here?”
“Are you?”
“No. By work I meant trying to find my sister. That’s all I’m doing in Charleston, though if I was doing more, you don’t really think I’d tell you, do you?” The sharp snap of her voice raised his ire.
“I don’t know. I thought thieves of your caliber had a code of conduct. Could be lying falls somewhere in that ‘not allowed’ column.” Though Carley’s eyes shot daggers at him, he didn’t retract the words. He needed the fueling burst of anger to remind him of the chasm separating them.
He shouldn’t feel so comfortable with her, think about her all the time or need to be with her. She only needed him to help find Dani and once he did that, well, he didn’t know what would happen next. He pretty much figured arresting her was out of the question.
Carley didn’t respond, choosing instead to leave the kitchen and him. He’d only spoken the truth. So why in the hell did he feel like such an ass?
Without knowing why, he followed her down the hall and into his bedroom. “Look, Carley—”
“Don’t.” She shimmied into her jeans and shoved her feet into her tennis shoes without socks. “You were honest. I can’t fault you for that.” Turning her back to him, she tugged the t-shirt over her head and tossed it atop the rumpled comforter.
The sunlight slanting through the wooden blinds played over her bare back, illuminating the soft skin his hands remembered too well. “Doesn’t mean I should have said it.” A half-assed apology to be sure but at least he’d offered one. Made him feel a little better.
She finished dressing without a reply.
He didn’t know what else to say and, by the time he thought of something, the front door slammed behind Carley. He didn’t follow her this time.
“Detective Polponia, there’s a woman on the line saying she’s been kidnapped.” The police aide, her eyes wide, held her hand over the mouthpiece as she stared straight at Dave.
Hunt made it to the phone first, snatching the receiver out of the cradle before Dave could swallow the last bite of pastry stuffed in his mouth. “This is Detective Brandon. Who is this?”
“Help me.” The voice, barely above a whisper, carried panic across the phone line. “I’ve been kidnapped. I don’t know where I am. In a car somewhere.”
“Okay, we’re going to help you.” Hunt snapped his fingers and pointed to the phone, indicating the need for a trace. “What’s your name?”
“D-d-dani. Dani Rivers.”
Hunt’s fingers iced. Dani? As in Carley’s sister? What the hell was going on? He didn’t believe in coincidences but this one had just slapped him in the face. “Dani, can you tell me anything about where you are?”
“Just in a car.” She hiccupped and her voice shook when she added, “I don’t know how long I’ve been in here. I’m in the trunk.”
Hunt covered his mouthpiece. “Do we have that damn trace running?” Receiving the thumbs-up from another detective, he returned to the conversation. “We’re trying to track your location now. Do you know who kidnapped you, Dani?”
“N-no. He was wearing a mask over his face. He’s big and strong. Th-there was another woman in the car with me. I couldn’t see her but she was crying. Oh God. Can you help me?”
“I’m going to try.” On edge, Hunt kept shooting glances at the detective running the trace. “Can you tell me anything else about the man? Did he have any kind of tattoos? What kind of clothes was he wearing?”
“He was wearing black. All covered up.”
“What about the car? Did you see what color it was? What type it was?”<
br />
“Blue, I think.” She sobbed a little and gathered her composure with what Hunt could only imagine was great courage. “Older. The trunk is square and it smells old. It— Oh God! We’ve stopped. They’ll find—”
The line went abruptly dead. “Dani? Dani? Dammit!” Hunt slammed the receiver down on the desk. “Did you get anything?”
“The signal was bouncing off towers all across town. The nearest we could get was Leeds Avenue.”
“Perfect. So we look for an old blue sedan somewhere on Leeds Avenue.” Hunt snagged his coat off the back of his chair. “That should open up a world of possibilities. Is the phone still on?”
“I’m not getting a signal.”
“Get on the phone with North Charleston PD and get some traffic stops set up. I don’t care if they have to search every late model blue sedan in the city.” Hunt checked over his shoulder, his blood running cold to see his lieutenant’s empty office.
Dave snatched the paper from the tracing detective and fell into step beside Hunt. “Did she give you anything on the kidnappers?”
“Nothing besides big and strong.” His jaw gritted so tightly the muscles knotted, Hunt almost mowed down a trio of uniformed officers blocking the doorway. “Either inside or out, fellas. People gotta walk.” The men parted and Hunt plowed through, heading straight for an unmarked grey sedan, so many questions accompanying him.
How did Dani know to call his particular precinct? Or had she called 9-1-1 and been patched through? No. More than likely someone had told her who to ask for—someone like Franklin, which only caused his muscles to tighten more. If Franklin had involved Dani, it couldn’t mean anything good.
Had the bastard made his move early? Had he chosen to eliminate Dani rather than risk potential exposure? Or was Dani’s call a decoy, something meant to distract Hunt while Franklin whisked Dani out of the city? Maybe Franklin sensed he was under surveillance and had panicked.
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