Page 9 of Special Agent Isabella

Bella wouldn’t look him in the eye. “Figured it was personal.”

“Uh-huh. I figured the same.”

They were interrupted by the waiter who seemed to have a fixation on Tanner’s good looks. The slim, pretty fellow’s obvious nature shone through quickly. “Hi there. What can I get you?”

Tanner’s grin told her he’d been in this situation before. “Cool the jets, Billy. We want some menus.”

“You’re no fun, Tanner.”

“Billy.”

“Oh, okay. If that’s the way you want to play tonight. We’ll keep it serious, but you still have my number big-boy, right?”

“Big-boy?” Bella scoffed teasingly. “Seriously, Tanner? I love it. Now I know why we could never hit it off. We don’t paddle in the same stream.”

Rather than get angry, Tanner chuckled. “In Billy’s dreams. Sorry, Princess, I love the ladies but right now, I’m all about the job. So listen carefully, we need to be together on this. And I mean working hand in hand. If that’s a problem for you, tell me now, and I’ll claim you and I can’t work together because of a conflict between you and the Governor. Otherwise, it’s all business.”

Bella sensed immediately that his seriousness wasn’t a put on. He meant every word. For a few seconds, she tried to see herself back at that stifling desk in the office and everything inside screamedno fucking way.

“I’m all in. I promise. Now what’s up?”

Between the courses of the meal, Tanner told her everything he’d learned, and when he showed her copies of a few emails, she blanched, knew her face had lost all color, and she had to fight to keep down her food.

It was like deja’vu all over again. Hadn’t she seen this kind of crap in her own inbox not a year ago? Hadn’t she stayed awake night after night digging into everything she could, every loophole open to her to find her stalker? And find her she had. A sick woman… a woman for Chrissakes, out for kicks who hadn’t left her apartment in years. A computer whiz who’d terrorized more than one person.

It had been a day to celebrate when they’d broken into the pervert’s place and found all the proof they’d needed to put her away. And for the first time in months, Bella had been able to sleep through the night.

Now the same nightmare faced her again. Only this time it was worse. The vile sicko was after a little kid.

ChapterSeven

Tanner sensed the tension in the beautiful woman sitting next to him in the vehicle. She hadn’t said much since they left the restaurant, and he refused to make this easy for her. The only way he’d know if she had the grit for this case was to throw her in with the females and see if she’d survive.

Stacy had a unique way of measuring people, knowing the good from the bad and making them come to her on her terms. It was always her gift, and he loved watching her in action.

On the other hand, Abbie presented a whole different set of problems. The kid could be shy and timid, or so far out there she’d make him blink and bite his tongue to hold back the laugh. The little actress had a wagonload of skills that never ceased to amaze. But one thing for certain, she loved her Uncle Tanner and would always come running with hugs when he appeared.

Jealousy against Bella worried him the most. The little monkey could and had previously exhibited that green-eyed monster with alacrity. His only hope was her intuitiveness… awareness that Bella couldn’t stand him.

If Bella’s coldness toward him came through to the others in the same way he always felt it, that might go a long way to ward off any jealousy. Then Bella might be an acceptable candidate.

* * *

Once Bella assured Tanner she wanted the job, he nodded. “Thought you would.”

“What do you mean? You don’t know me.”

“Not personally, and that’s not my fault. You’re the one who put up all those stupid barriers every time Demi wanted us to be together. In case you’re unaware, our foster sister has a huge heart and a way of exhibiting worry. The night you’d finally caught the stalker who’d been after you, she broke down. Do you remembering calling her with the news? Well, I happened to be there to witness it. After I prodded, she told me about your experience with Bernice Holler, the woman who’d been victimizing you for months.”

“Jesus. She promised not to say anything. I trusted her.”

“Didn’t you hear me? She never said a word. Not until it was over. And if you don’t know how hard that was for her to keep a secret like that, then I’ve given you more credit than you deserve.”

Ashamed for thinking only about herself, she bit her lip. “I never meant to tell her. It’s just that she caught me in a really low period, and I ran off at the mouth. The pressure had been incredible. When Demi tried to get me to let her in, I’d snapped at her and then felt like a rabid dog. So I had to share.”

Tanner nodded in understanding. “Been there myself. That girl might look like harsh words could knock her over and yet she puts herself into that kind of situation every day and survives.”

Without thinking, Bella added, “Go figure, she wanted me to come and stay at Fulton House soshecould protectme.” Reminiscing, Bella shared the silly idea with a man she normally wouldn’t pass the time of day with. Yet when it came to the girl they both loved, it seemed easy somehow.

---