Page 27 of Queen of Diamonds
8
All Rand wanted wasa hot shower and his bed. These bar hours were a bitch. He’d never been a night owl, preferring to be asleep no later than midnight and up with the sun. Quiet mornings were his favorite time of day. Hopefully Nate would find a replacement for him soon. He checked his watch, sighing when he saw it would be another two hours before they could close up. At least it had been a quiet night.
His phone buzzed, his heart rate kicking up a notch at seeing Kinsey’s name on the screen.
“Hold on a minute,” he said, heading for the office where it was quiet. He closed the door behind him. “Hey. How was your visit with your brothers?”
“I think someone might have been in my apartment.”
His body stiffened, going on full alert. “Get out. Now, Kinsey.”
“I did. I’m at an all-night convenience store a few blocks from my place.”
At least she was smart. “You need to call your brothers.”
“If I do that, it will be like an invasion of a SEAL team or something descending on me. It’s possible I didn’t close my back door and lock it, but I don’t think my brothers know the meaning of restraint. If they even get the hint that something might be amiss, they’ll move me lock, stock, and barrel right into their compound before I can blink twice. They’ve already mentioned what a great idea that would be.”
That didn’t surprise him. “Are you inside the store?”
“Yeah.”
“Stay right where you are. I’ll be there in twenty.” After getting the store’s address from her, he went to find Josh, to let his partner know he had to leave.
The minute Randwalked into the store, she launched herself at him. “You’re here.”
He laughed. “That seems pretty obvious.” He tucked her under his arm and led her away from the clerk’s curious eyes. “You’re barefoot.”
“That seems pretty obvious,” she said, throwing his words back at him. She lifted a foot—that was damn sexy with the cherry-red toenails—for his inspection. “I didn’t take the time to grab my shoes.”
“Did you notice anything else off besides your back door?”
“No. I’m probably just being silly, but I always make sure my doors and windows are locked before I leave for work. Maybe I slipped up this morning. I don’t know. I’m feeling stupid now for panicking.”
“No, you did the right thing. I’ll follow you back to your apartment and check it out.”
“Eww,” she said as he walked her to her car. “I just stepped on gum.”
He slipped his arms under her back and legs, picking her up.
“Eeek,” she shrieked on a laugh. “You should warn a girl when you decide to go caveman on her.”
He looked into her eyes and wondered if she might be the one woman he’d be willing to risk everything for.She’ll want babies. The voice in his head brought him back to his senses. He could not, would not go there again. Not even for her.
“I’ll follow you to your apartment and check it out,” he said, opening her car door with his fingers and then lowering her onto the driver’s seat.
When they arrived at her place, he followed her inside while keeping firm control of his hand. The one that wanted to press its palm against her back. Or curl its fingers around the back of her neck. Hell, he’d be good with touching any part of her.
“Stay right here,” he said as soon as they were inside. He first eased down the hall to her bedroom, and holding his gun down by his side, he checked her closet and bathroom. Once he’d cleared those rooms, he returned to the living room, pleased to see that Kinsey hadn’t moved.
“Nothing?”
“No one’s here. You need to take a look, see if anything is out of place.” While she did that, he went to her back door, still cracked open, and checked it over, but couldn’t find any scratches in the wood that looked like someone had pried it open.
“Everything seems fine,” she said, coming back to the kitchen. “I’m sorry.”
Rand glanced over at her. “For what?”
“Making you come over for no reason.”
