Page 37 of Fast Kill

He stopped dead when she halted and gasped. She was facing away from him, her body completely still as she listened, one hand pressed to her chest.

“You’re sure? Oh my God, I… Yes, of course. Yes. I understand. I’ll be here.” She ended the call and spun to face him. Her face was white as paper, her eyes haunted.

“What?” he demanded, on alert, barely resisting the urge to rush to her.

“The team found out something else. From two of the suspects who were arrested the night of the sub bust.” She hesitated.

Frustration pulsed through him. “My security clearance is higher than yours. Just tell me.”

“They each gave a sworn statement saying that Dillon is the one who ordered Baker’s pilot to kill him.”

Logan had been there when the murder happened, but not as close as Jamie and Charlie when the helo pilot who was supposed to pick up Baker shot him down instead. Jamie had returned fire, killing the pilot, and the bird had crashed moments later, erupting into a ball of fire and incinerating any evidence they might have found useful.

Until now.

“So then Dillon isn’t just your average trafficker for them,” he finished.

Taylor shook her head, looking devastated. And afraid. That fear ripped at his insides, demanded hedosomething.

“He’s the right-hand man of one of the cartel lieutenants,” she said softly.

This was so fucking bad. Logan couldn’t handle that lost, bewildered look on her face a moment longer, couldn’t stand there and watch her suffer without doing something. He leaned his crutches against the kitchen counter, limped the few yards to her and pulled her straight into his arms.

She didn’t resist, didn’t utter a single protest as he gathered her against his chest and wrapped his arms around her. Instead she leaned into him and let out the most heartbroken little sigh he’d ever heard.

He’d already been fired up, all his protective instincts brought to the surface, but that sigh made him want to pick her up and carry her home, keep her at his place while guarding the door with his own weapon. Just so nothing and no one could ever dare threaten her again.

“They’re sending a forensics team over to collect evidence,” she mumbled into his shirt, the warmth of her breath and the feel of her softness pressed to him spiking his pulse rate. He was only human. He’d been thinking about her for weeks now. “I’m supposed to stay put for now.”

“I’ll stay with you.” Before she could protest he urged her back to the living room, sat on the couch and pulled her straight into his lap.

To his surprise, she didn’t resist or even argue. She simply took off her glasses, shifted closer and leaned into his chest, laying her head on his shoulder. Then she curled her body into a ball. Seeking comfort he was only too willing to give.

Savoring her unspoken trust in him and thankful for the chance to be there for her, Logan gently rubbed a hand over her back and just held her without saying anything. He might not be able to make this better for her, but he could damn well ensure she was protected and didn’t feel alone right now.

“I can’t believe it,” she murmured, resting her cheek on him once more. “It’s like a bad dream.”

Yeah, a total nightmare. He was glad she wanted more comfort because he didn’t want to stop holding her. She smelled good too, something light and sweet like vanilla. “Hell of a thing to find out about an old friend.”

Her cheek rubbed his shoulder as she nodded. “It probably sounds stupid or naïve now, but I never would have believed he’d put me in this position.”

“I’m sorry.” He tipped his head forward and brushed a kiss to the top of her head. Damn, she felt good cuddled into him like this, that wall she usually had up to protect herself down for the moment.

They stayed like that for a few minutes until she shifted her weight in his lap. He hadn’t been looking for anything when he met her, but his attraction to her was growing every minute, and the feel of her ass sliding against his groin had predictable results. She stiffened and raised her head to stare at him when she felt how hard he’d gotten, but didn’t shove away as expected.

She searched his eyes, and he couldn’t help but smile at her expression of uncertainty. As though she wasn’t sure if she believed he was actually attracted to her. “Can you still see me without those things on?” he asked, to take away any awkwardness she might feel. Her glasses were in her lap.

A startled grin split her face and she let out a short laugh. “Yes.”

Reaching one hand up to cup the side of her face, he gave into the need and traced his thumb along her soft cheek. “Good. But not wearing them kind of takes away from the whole sexy librarian vibe you’ve got going on there.”

She scoffed. “Sexy librarian?”

“Sosexy,” he assured her.

Her smile faded away, and something shifted between them, the air taking on an almost electrical charge. She searched his eyes for a long moment, then put a hand on his shoulder and her gaze dipped to his mouth.

He wanted to kiss her so bad he couldn’t stand it.

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