Page 39 of Colorado K-9 Rescue

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Evan stepped out of his vehicle and Mckenna’s face lit up seeing him. This was going to be tough. But he couldn’t let this go any further. It struck him that he’d never really worried about hurting the other women he’d been with—not that there’d been a lot. Those relationships were different. Mckenna was special.

“Did you find anything?” Mckenna asked him.

“No, not anything obvious,” Evan answered. “I had the ERT go through your place with a fine-tooth comb. If there’s something there, they’ll find it, but the bad news is it’s going to take them a while. Your house is a crime scene. You may not be able to go back until tomorrow at the earliest, maybe even longer.”

“I’ll get a hotel, then,” Mckenna said. “I’m sure I can find one that will take Mocha.”

“What about your sister?” Evan asked, the thought coming to him as a good solution where he didn’t look like a jerk.

“I don’t want to put her out. I’ll just get a hotel.”

“Would you consider a safe house? Or asking your sister if she’d mind?”

“No. A hotel is fine,” Mckenna said, eyes narrowing a bit.

Evan recognized the stubborn look coming on. Another reason he’d fallen for her—she said what was on her mind and stuck with it no matter what. But this time, it was her life at stake. “Look, I want you in some sort of protective custody. Your sister,a safe house, something. You can’t be on your own until we catch this guy. It’s too dangerous.”

“Would you be the agent at the safe house?”

“No,” Evan said.

“Then no. I’d rather be on my own. I know I can trust you. I’d call Cassidy, but she’s working on a major case, and I don’t know when she’ll be home. I don’t want to make her stop what she’s doing to babysit me. Plus, she’ll be the older sister pain in the butt and fret over me like she did after I came home. Staying at a safe house or with her feels like I’m giving up a piece of myself that I’ve worked hard to find.”

Evan sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.Don’t do it. You’ll regret this. You can behave yourself. You have three bedrooms. She can have one. You can stay in yours.

“You’re not going to change your mind on this, are you?” he asked.

“Nope,” Mckenna said, crossing her arms and locking eyes with him.

“Then you’re going to stay with me tonight.”

CHAPTER 25

Shock went through Mckenna with Evan’s offer. No, he’d made it sound more like a statement. She wanted to say yes, but there was another side of her that wanted to say no, she could take care of herself. After her kidnapping she’d hit a point where she realized everyone, mostly her family, was treating her like she was something fragile that was going to break.

She had to constantly check in with her parents. Cassidy wanted to go with Mckenna everywhere and Mckenna’s friends started acting differently. It was then that she realized she had to rebuild her life her own way, one step at a time. Even though the fear haunted her, Mckenna didn’t want it to stop her.

Having a guy, even Evan, protect her seemed like she was giving up that freedom and independence she’d regained. On the other hand, the desire to spend time with him was difficult to ignore and before she could stop herself, she heard herself say, “Okay. I’ll stay with you.”

“Uh, good,” Evan said, running his fingers through his hair. “I have extra bedrooms and a guest bathroom.”

“Good,” Mckenna said, holding up her phone. “Text me your address and I’ll GPS it.”

“Here, give me your phone. I’ll add myself to your contacts. That way you won’t lose it in a text thread.”

Evan held his hand out and Mckenna hesitated before handing it over. What was she thinking? Why was she staying with him? She should get a hotel or call Cassidy. Even go stay with her parents at their ranch. But it was like someone else wascontrolling her and she had to admit, shewantedto go stay with him. Evan gave Mckenna her phone back.

“There you go,” he said. “Pull it up on your maps and I’ll follow you. That way I don’t lose you and if anyone tries anything, I’ll be in a better position to help you.”

Mckenna took her phone back, her fingertips brushing his. Electricity went through her body from his touch. Like nothing she’d ever felt. “Thanks.”

She pulled up the address and said, “You live near Red Rocks.”

“I do,” Evan said with a smile. “And at some point, when I’m not hunting down a kidnapper, I’ll finally make it to a concert there.”

“I’ve never been either,” said Mckenna. The famous amphitheater and park was often a destination for tourists. Famous bands from the Rolling Stones to the Grateful Dead and even the Beatles had played there. Even though Mckenna didn’t love crowds and preferred the mountains, she’d always wanted to see a concert there. Just for the experience. “We’ll have to check out the concert schedule for the fall. See who’s coming into town. I mean, you’re the great Agent Evan Knox. You’ll find this kidnapper in no time and then what will we do?”

“You’re teasing me again, right?” Evan said.