Hot Target

Katie glanced at Luke, who had leaned back in his chair. He shrugged, unaffected. She didn’t know how he could be so nonchalant, but it appeared genuine. He really didn’t feel threatened. She reached for the bag. The other five letters had all been created with cutouts from newspapers and magazines—each letter promising that Luke would die soon. She pursed her lips. “As much as I’d like to know what this new letter says, I’m sure I can guess.” She fixed Luke in a hard stare, aware he wouldn’t be pleased with the subject she was about to broach. “We need to get the letters examined by a crime lab.”

“No police,” Luke insisted. “I don’t need my private life sold to the highest bidder and plastered all over the news. The entire season will become a story about my stalker instead of how the team’s playing.”

“Luke,” she said. “I understand the press concerns. I understand your need to avoid being the newest gossip headline. I’ll make sure it doesn’t end up there. My men—Noah and Josh—when they get here Saturday—”

Ron interrupted, “I thought they were coming in today?”

“They were,” she said. “But we took this job on short notice, and they have loose ends to tie up before they can get here. Which is unfortunate, because I really want Luke’s security here at the house to be scrutinized, and Josh is an expert in that area.” She turned back to Luke. “Noah is ex-FBI, Luke. He has a guy inside the FBI lab who will run the tests needed on the letters, no questions asked. No names. I promise. Let me have him make that connection for us.”

She held her breath, hoping he would agree, knowing she was sending the letters to be reviewed even if he objected. No doubt Luke wanted the threats easily dismissed as nothing. But her father had always said, never ignore a gut feeling, and she had a gut feeling.

“You’re sure?” Luke asked. “The lab won’t ever know I’m involved?”

She nodded. “Absolutely one hundred percent sure.” She glanced at Ron.

“All right, then,” Luke said. “Send the letters. I’m in for anything that might end this ridiculous mess.”

Katie let out a breath of relief and vowed to dig deeper with Luke. There was something behind his absolute dismissal of these threats that didn’t make sense. She’d come full circle, it seemed. She wasn’t bailing on Luke. She was seeing this through.

“Okay,” Katie said. “We’ll get the analysis done and hope for answers. In the meantime, your first game isn’t until next week, and I looked at the schedule. We have six home games before you head to Texas, which is when the traveling makes the whole undercover thing almost impossible to pull off with my men. It’ll have to be me traveling with you and me alone.”

“My parents expect to see me when I’m in Texas,” Luke said. “Either I’ll have to tell them who you are or we’ll have to convince them we’re dating.”

“Maybe Texas won’t be an issue,” Katie said. The idea of meeting his parents reminded her of how sleeping with Luke would complicate a situation already complicated enough. “The minute my staff arrives, we’ll work fast. Maybe we can unearth your letter writer before the travel begins. The best strategy to keep you safe will be to turn this place into Fort Knox and lay low here as much as possible.”

“Laying low has never been an issue for me,” Luke assured her. “Right after tonight’s gala at the Children’s Museum.”

“What gala?” Katie queried. She eyed Ron. “I really need a detailed file.”

“I have it,” Ron said, indicating a manila folder.

“The gala is a charity event for children’s leukemia,” Luke answered. “I have to be there.”

“While I respect that this is a charity event,” Katie said, “anything high profile is a bad idea until we get your security revamped.”

“He’s the emcee,” Ron said. “He can’t skip it. Besides, it’s good for his reputation. That means endorsements and financial security we don’t want to miss.”

Luke’s forehead furrowed. “This isn’t about endorsements,” he insisted. “It’s about the kids.” His gaze flicked to Katie. “Consider it your coming-out party. The unveiling of the woman I’m dating. In fact, I need to go pick up my tuxedo.” He pushed to his feet, rounded the desk and offered her his hand. “Care to join me?”

Katie ignored his hand, more than a little aware of Ron watching them. “You’re sure you can’t skip this?”

“Positive,” he said. “And neither can you. You’re my date.”

He hadn’t known she was coming until yesterday. He’d been planning on going stag. Why did that please her so much?

Luke glanced at Ron. “Anything else we need to know?”

“Just that management is pleased,” Ron told them. “I let them know you have security in place.” He eyed Katie. “A limited number of people know the truth about your role here. Those people are all in management and motivated to protect Luke.” Katie was realizing more and more that she was here to stay. She offered a brisk nod.