Page 24 of Laura's Truth

Ross shook his head. He worried about a lot of other things, but if Garner wanted to kill him, he’d likely be dead already. “I have a few contacts left from those days,” he replied. “Nothing indicates he’s after me or the men from that team. The truth is he should be worried about me taking lethal action.”

“You wouldn’t.” Her eyes went wide. “Not until you get some answers.”

Ross felt his lips twitch into a grin. “You know me well.”

She reached across the table and patted his hand. “Goes both ways.”

And he treasured the mutual respect, awareness, and trust at the core of their relationship. “If you see him around town, call me immediately, stay in a public area, and do not speak to him.”

“You think he’s coming to Haleswood?”

Ross shook his head. “I think whatever he’s up to will happen in Charleston, but in case I’m wrong…” He paused, but there was no sense in holding back, not with Allie. “I didn’t trust myself to stay objective,” he admitted. “So I sent a friend to check on him and now she’s off the radar. I’m sure it’s temporary.”

She pointed to the space between his eyes. “You’re worried. It shows.”

He rubbed at the offending point. “I am.” If his inquiry put Talbot at risk, he’d never forgive himself. “Garner’s dangerous.”

“Well, don’t worry about me. I’ll be smart.”

“Thanks. Will you please talk to Nicole? Maybe it will jog something loose for one or both of you. If it does, pass the info on to Eva.”

“Count on it.” She spun long noodles around on her fork but didn’t raise the food to her mouth. “And you’ll be doing what in the meantime?”

“Staying busy.” Searching for Talbot and every stray breadcrumb until he found Garner. But her skeptical expression told him she saw through his evasion.

“Tell me.”

He grinned, amazed how easily she lifted his burdens. “I’m afraid that’s classified.”

“Oh, you’ll tell me.”

“Don’t think so. Clearance, secrets, and all that.” He shook his head.

“Hmm.” She set her fork aside and blotted her lips with the napkin. “I have ways of making you talk.”

He preferred all the ways she left him speechless. Wiggling his eyebrows, he threw down the gauntlet. “You think so? Let’s see what you’ve got.”

She pushed back from the table and came around behind his chair. Nuzzling his neck, her hands skimmed down over his chest and back up to rest lightly on his shoulders. She murmured sexy promises in his ear while her thumbs dug into the deep knots of his shoulder muscles.

Dinner forgotten, Garner nearly so, Ross let her touch soothe while her words and light, teasing kisses amped up his desire. He swept her up into his arms and carried her back to the bedroom, sinking into the miraculous joy they found in each other.

Chapter 5

They were going in the right direction, but something still felt all wrong to Drew. “Hackett owes me an explanation for this mess,” he muttered.

“What makes you so special?” Dark Glasses replied.

That was all the confirmation Drew needed. He had a reply regardless of the response, but this was ideal. “Well, for a start, I didn’t die when he tried to kill me the first time.”

Dark Glasses looked at him through the rearview mirror. “Who the hell are you?”

“Andrew Garner.” Drew smiled as the driver’s face turned red. Beside him, he felt Laura go stiff, braced for the worst. “Pleasure to meet you.”

The driver stomped on the accelerator as he hurled violent promises at Drew.

“Ease up, man.” Drew leaned forward, pressing the revolver he’d snatched from Laura’s ankle holster to the man’s temple. “The last thing you want is a speeding ticket.”

“Screw you.”

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