Page 17 of Heat Force

His lips quirked into a half-smile, and he leaned in just a fraction, enough that she caught the faint, woodsy scent of his cologne. “And now?” His voice dropped like they were sharing a secret.

Her pulse quickened under his steady gaze. “Now, I think there’s more to you than you make out.”

He didn’t respond right away. For a moment, the space between them felt charged, the air humming with an unspokentension that had been building since the day they’d met. His gaze lingered on her, tracing her face as though searching for something she wasn’t sure she wanted him to find.

“I have a reputation to uphold,” he said finally. “It doesn’t always allow me the leeway to be myself.”

“Was that the real you, today? With Moyo?”

“There are many sides to everybody’s personality.”

She acknowledged that truth with a tilt of her head.

“But I could say the same about you.”

Her breath caught. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Across the room, Dan caught her eye and gave her an easy grin, the leather thong around his neck making him look like he’d been here for years instead of days. She smiled back, grateful for the distraction.

Hawk scowled. “I think you do.”

Lexi turned back to him. He had a way of commandeering her attention. When she was with him, it was impossible to concentrate on anyone else. He was still watching her, his expression unreadable.

“I make no pretenses about who I am.”

He was about to retort, when Robert’s voice rose above the low buzz of conversation. His tone was brisk, and Lexi could tell he was impatient to get the meeting underway. The filming schedule was a massive undertaking, involving extensive travel around the sanctuary, and she knew he had to anticipate the logistical challenges it would bring.

Behind him, Estelle followed with her usual stoicism, carrying a tray laden with a pitcher of lemonade and several glasses that clinked softly with every step.

“Let’s get started,” Robert began, but before he could say more, a sudden, frantic pounding on the front door shattered the calm.

Chaka, Robert’s black Labrador, bolted upright with a bark so loud and sharp it made Lexi jump. The dog tore out of the room, barking furiously, his claws clicking against the wooden floor.

“What on earth?” Estelle exclaimed, shaking her head as the commotion reached a fever pitch. “We’re not expecting anyone, are we?”

Lexi exchanged a wary glance with Hawk, whose sharp gaze was already locked on the doorway. His relaxed posture had stiffened, his body leaning slightly forward as if ready for action.

Blessing, the housekeeper, moved cautiously to the door. The pounding hadn’t stopped, and a low male voice could now be heard through the wood, urgent and strained. As soon as she opened it, chaos erupted.

A man stumbled into the entrance hall, his voice hoarse and broken, just as Estelle let out a sharp scream. Everyone rushed into the hall, but Lexi pushed through the crush of bodies to see what was happening.

“Erick!” she gasped, moving quickly to catch the man as he swayed dangerously on his feet. “What on earth happened? Come, sit down.”

The man was barely upright, his uniform—the dark green of the park rangers, with Usala’s gold badge still glinting on his chest—was torn and bloodied. His face was swollen, his cheek split open, as if he’d been in a brutal fight. His breath came in ragged gasps as he clutched his thigh.

“My leg,” he muttered, clutching his thigh. It was then Lexi noticed his trouser leg was dark with blood.

CHAPTER 8

Lexi glanced up as Hawk and Robert rushed to help. Together, they led Erick to the nearest chair, which he collapsed into. He was panting hard from his flight through the jungle to the Lodge. It must have been agony with an injury like that.

“Tell me what happened,” demanded Robert, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Who did this to you?”

Lexi bent down in front of him and carefully peeled back the torn, blood-soaked material to take a look at the wound. She cringed. It wasn’t good. A large gash, about five inches long, stretched across his outer thigh, displaying a good amount of tissue and muscle.

“He needs urgent medical attention.” She applied pressure to the wound. “Sorry,” she murmured as the ranger flinched.

“Can you do something to stem the bleeding?” Hawk crouched down beside her.

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