Page 7 of The Sinner's Touch

“Do you think you can describe him to a sketch artist?” Bailey asked Angel after Kade finished filling him in. “I have one waiting outside if you’re up for it.”

“Yeah. I think I can do that.”

Kade watched her fidget. Her emotions were brimming like storm clouds in her expression, her movements, her voice.Shaken. That was the word he’d use. Seeing him hadn’t helped, either. He wasn’t in much better shape himself. Coming face to face with her tonight had thrown him off his game. Add in the whiskey, and he was all over the place.

Angel had changed a lot since he’d met her almost eight years ago. She was, what, twenty-six now? She looked older, more mature, but it only enhanced her natural beauty. Even wearing her black tank and jeans, she looked graceful. He’d gone out with more women over the last three years than any of his brothers, including Nikoli, but none of them compared to Angel. She was magnificent.

The first time he’d met her, she’d been wearing worn jeans and a Pink Floyd t-shirt of her brother’s, with flip flops flaunting hot pink toenails. They’d been sticking out from under a red 1969 Chevy Camaro. At first, he’d thought she was sixteen or so, but when he’d gone to the strip club with his new acquaintances, he’d been blindsided. The girl wasn’t a kid at all, and damn, she’d had a hell of a body that stayed with him.

What hadn’t changed was all that fiery red hair and those cat eyes of hers. And her temper. People had fled in the wake of that temper. He’d witnessed some of the cartel’s scariest drug dealers cower in fear when she got good and angry. Granted, she hadn’t known who they were. She might have suspected they were not on the up and up, but she didn’t know Peter had gotten in bed with Miami’s biggest cartel family, and she was blistering the hides of drug dealers, hitmen, and cleaners.

“What’s the deal with you two, Kincaid?” Bailey moved to stand in front of him, blocking his view of Angel, who was now working with the sketch artist. “Why did she accuse you of killing her brother?”

“Back when I was in Miami, I went undercover in a drug cartel. Her brother and I became friends. He was just a messed-up kid who had no idea who he’d really gotten himself involvedwith. When we busted the drug ring, I made a deal with Peter. Testify against his boss, and he’d do no jail time and go into witness protection.”

“But they got to him first?”

Kade nodded. “Four of the five witnesses died the same week we arrested everyone. Charges were dismissed when the last witness refused to testify. Case didn’t even make it to trial.”

“And she blames you for his death.” Bailey nodded, his expression understanding but tinged with pity. Kade didn’t deserve his pity. Angel had every right to blame him. Hell, he blamed himself for it. It was part of what haunted his dreams at night, what he tried to drown in whiskey so he could sleep. Peter hadn’t been only a witness. He’d been one of Kade’s best friends, and he’d trusted Kade to keep him safe. But he’d let him down, and Kade would live with that guilt for the rest of his life.

But he could do one thing for Peter, and that was to do for his sister what Kade couldn’t do for him—keep her safe.

He’d be damned if he failed this time. Not when it came to Angel.

“Have you heard back on the police protection yet?” He sidestepped Bailey so the man was no longer blocking his view. Kade smiled when her nose scrunched up. It was a habit of hers when she got aggravated. The deep sigh that rolled out of the artist was enough to tell Kade Angel was being difficult. She tended to be a perfectionist in everything. Used to irritate the hell out of both him and her brother.

“Not yet. I left her a voicemail. She’s dealing with the Chief of Detectives and the press right now. It might be a while before she gets around to calling me back.”

“Angel’s not going home without a uni on her.”

“I agree. We can ask her to stay until…”

“No.” Kade shook his head. “I’ll take her home.”

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.” Bailey glanced over at Angel. “She doesn’t really like you very much.”

“I don’t care.”

“Detective Bailey?” The sketch artist waved them over. “We think we have it.”

That was quick. Less than twenty minutes. Maybe they should have waited until the morning to do this. There was no way it would be an accurate composite. The sketch washed his doubts away. It was so detailed and precise, anyone walking past this guy on the street would recognize him. Hopefully.

“She’s good.” The sketch artist drew their attention back to her. “Knew exactly what she wanted. Fastest I’ve ever drawn up a suspect.”

“This is excellent, Miss Lemoraux.” Bailey took the sketch he was offered and studied it. “He has a scar?”

Angel nodded. “On the right side of his nose. Sort of looks like fingernail scratch.”

“I wouldn’t doubt it, given his line of extracurricular activities.” Bailey took a snapshot of the drawing with his phone before hurrying to the door and calling for an officer. The photo would hit every police department and news wire in the state. He really had made his first mistake. Now all Kade needed to do was keep Angel safe until he caught the guy.

“We’re arranging police protection for you and Miss Brown as well.” Bailey picked at the button on his shirt. “I’m just waiting on the approval from my captain.”

“That’s really not necessary…”

“Yes, it is necessary.” Kade interrupted her. “He knows your name,milka. You’re not safe until we catch him.”

“Angel Girl, don’t fight them on this.” Pops put a hand on her arm to stop the argument on her lips. “The boy’s right. This ain’t nothing to mess around with. If they want to give you a babysitter, then let them. I’ll sleep better knowing you’re safe.”

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