McKenzie Cousins Box Set 3

“What else?”

“Aurora Caine, eighteen. She was arrested on drug charges. Within two days of release, she was arrested again and this time she was given a two year sentence.” Jennifer snaps her files closed. “I also expanded the search parameters, and no luck.”

“Damn! It was an idea. I wish we knew why he had a break and now he’s back.” I frown. “When was the information posted about the couples retreat at the club?”

“I can find out?” Jennifer dips her head and her fingers as they flutter over her tablet keyboard, make me dizzy. “Seven days ago.” She chews her lip. “That was on the clubs website though, maybe it was posted in the club a couple of days ago.”

“So you think maybe the hunter doesn’t follow them on social media, but just goes to the club?”

“We’re presuming he goes to the club.” Her eyes light up. “He could always watch from a distance.” She shrugs when I raise a brow. “There’s a hotel across from the front entrance of the club. I bet my lunch that it’s one of those that take cash with no questions asked kinda places.” She pauses. “Hmm, I think I remember reading a report from Carlos and Bennett. They checked the hotel out. The manager apparently was more interested in the TV than what was going on across the way.”

“Yes, McKenzie and I checked it out when we went to the club. Took the manager seven minutes to move from the back office to see who was at the window.” Clearing my throa

t, I add, “Can you brief the team about what you found out, and in the meanwhile, I’m going to read this file the boss dropped on my desk.”

“I thought I saw him leaving.” Jennifer’s eyes drift toward the file.

I laugh. “He wants me and McKenzie undercover again, but this time we’re going on a couples retreat.” Even saying it out loud makes me blush as I feel it creeping up my neck.

“I wouldn’t mind going on a couples retreat with Josh,” she whispers, and quickly clears her throat when she realizes I’m not finding her funny. “I’ll go and, um, brief the team.”

“Thank you.”

After taking a few moments to enjoy the silence, I open the file and read about the retreat, and the agents who are also posing as couples. Something tells me these next few weeks aren’t going to be as easy as I’d like.

30

Joshua

My leg hurts like a bitch and it’s my own damn fault for pushing myself when it needs more time to heal. I’ve never been one for sitting around idle and, if I’m honest, it’s driving me crazy being stuck at my family home. My parents mean well and I love them, but I’m too old to be underfoot all the time. Not to mention the fact that my parents still act as newlyweds after over thirty years of marriage. I’m really happy they still love each other, but they’re my parents and it makes me wince.

Limping around the curve of the driveway, I spot an unfamiliar car and I groan wondering who Mom has invited over to meet me. There have been a few single friends of my mothers who have been around the house a few times. I thought Mom had gotten the message that I’m not interested. I’d love to be able to sneak in through my bedroom window via climbing up the porch to the roof. I don’t always know my limitations, but right now, I’d probably end up back in the hospital. Only way inside today is going to be through a door.

Sweating due to the Lexington heat, I push through the front door and drop into the chair by the door to remove my sneakers. The air conditioning is a more than welcome break from the heat, while I catch a breath after my run.

Mom shouts, “Joshua?”

Hell!

“Joshua McKenzie, I know you’re home.” I hear the amusement in her voice, when she continues, “You have a visitor.”

What I want to do is ignore whoever is here to see me, but curiosity gets the better of me. Wincing at the sight of my sweat soaked feet sticking to the hardwood floor, I tread toward the kitchen and freeze in the doorway when I see Mallory sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee in front of her.

Her face lifts toward me and everything stills within me as our eyes meet and hold. Hearing Mom cough with laughter, I blink and look over Mallory. She’s dressed casually in jeans and a clingy top. It fits to her delicious curves perfectly—the ones I’ve been unable to get out of my mind.

Feeling a twitch below the waist, I attempt to walk without a limp, which doesn’t go too well and I sit facing Mallory. Hiding my lower body right now is a must especially as I meet her gaze once more. “Why are you here?” I ask, my words sound sharp, but I’m trying to keep it professional in front of my mom, and because that’s the way Mallory wants it.

“Joshua!” Mom gasps at my rudeness.

“It’s okay Mrs. McKenzie, I could have just as easily called.” She returns her attention to me. “We need to talk. The hunter is back.”

Silently cursing, I say, “Let me take a quick shower and then we’ll talk.”

I wait for her to acknowledge my words and then I’m moving upstairs. Within ten minutes, I’m in the library—my mother’s favorite room—with Mallory Jenkins, the woman I’ve been falling for since the day we met.

She looks nervous before she visibly pulls herself together. Her eyes are clear and focused on me as she asks, “How well do you know Clarissa Redgrave?”

I sure as hell wasn’t expecting that question. The woman had been an annoyance more than anything. “I went through Quantico with her.”