Hottest Mess (SIN 2)

"Really." Colin's mouth curved into a frown. "Well, I'm sorry," he said, looking at both Dallas and Jane in turn.

"Sorry?" Jane asked.

"That he's going to force you to dig it all up again. Make it harder for you."

"For the whole family, I'm afraid," Dallas said. "I'm sure he'll want to interview everyone."

Colin nodded. "Well, I'll cooperate, of course. I want the bastard who did that to you caught and convicted, strung up by his goddamn balls. I just wish you didn't have to rehash it all in order to make that happen." He sighed. "If I could shield you both, believe me, I would."

"We know," Jane said, her expression soft. "And we appreciate it."

Adele had been quiet through the conversation, and now she picked up her wine and took a sip before slowly shaking her head. "It sounds like an epic waste to me. Not that I don't agree with the sentiment--whoever kidnapped you needs to be behind bars. But what on earth could they find now?"

Dallas kept his eyes on her, careful not to look at Colin. "I guess we'll know when Bill tells us." He pushed back from the table and stood. "I didn't mean to put a damper on the conversation. I'm going to the kitchen for some coffee and to clear my head. Back in a few." He started toward the door, but was halted by Adele's hand brushing over his hip, then tugging on his shirt to stop him.

He frowned down at her as she handed him her coffee cup. "Could you be a darling and bring me a refill when you come back?"

"Sure." He glanced at Jane and Colin. "Anyone else?"

With no other takers, he headed into the house, bypassed the bathroom, and headed straight for Colin's study.

The device was easy to plant, and he adhered it to one of the bookshelves and then quickly left the room. As he did, he almost walked straight into Adele.

"Get lost?" She took a step closer. "Or were you looking for someplace private because you're upset about Bill? Or maybe you're looking for a way to take your mind off of it?" she added, stepping close and sliding her palm down his arm.

He shrugged her off. "Stop it." They were done. They had been for a long time.

She lifted a shoulder. "You're so rigid. Always following the rules."

"You know better than that. But I'm not breaking any with you. Not now. Not anymore."

"Fair enough." Her eyes danced with mischief, the small lines at the corner the only indication of her age. "If you weren't looking for a tryst, then what were you doing in the office?"

"Trying to figure out how he set up that wireless sound system that he told us about. I want to do something like that for my home gym." He started back toward the kitchen.

"So now you're a handyman, too?" She patted his ass, and he twisted away from her touch. "Just pull out this nice, hefty wallet and pay someone to hook it up for you."

"I'll take it under advis--Jane." She was in the kitchen, her eyes more or less on his ass, but at the sound of her name, she lifted her gaze to his eyes.

"I was going to get more coffee after all," she said, "but I think I'm going to call it a night." She looked between the two of them, then back to Dallas. "Are you ready to leave, too? Or can you find another way home?"

"I'm ready," he said. "Let's go."

Five minutes later they'd said their goodbyes and were heading to the corner where Dallas had told the driver to meet them.

"Jane, listen--"

"You son of a bitch."

"Excuse me?"

She stopped dead a few feet from the car and looked up at him. "Do you think I don't know what you've been keeping from me?"

His entire body turned to ice. Colin. How the hell had she figured out about Colin?

"Do you think I couldn't see exactly what you were hiding in there?" she continued, before he could respond.

He was frozen, but somehow he managed to thaw out his tongue enough to say her name. "Jane, please--"