Simply Sinful (Simply 1)

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Like I told you on the phone, my mother’s sick and I want some of your aunt’s crossword books to keep her busy.”

Damn. The guy suspected a trap. Kane hoped like hell Kayla stuck to the plan. “Give him what he wants,” he muttered.

“You know, my aunt was really into these books. I’d hate to just give them to someone who didn’t appreciate them the way she did. I’m sure you understand.”

Kane could practically see her batting those big, green eyes for effect…at the same guy who’d wrapped his arm around her neck without a second thought.

He exhaled a groan. Though she was doing a great job of attempting to exonerate her aunt, and things seemed to be going smoothly, this whole mess couldn’t be over soon enough to suit him.

“Your aunt liked to play games,” the man muttered. “And apparently it runs in the family. My mother’s not too sick to play them herself.”

“Well, good. Just tell me how involved my aunt was in those games, and you can take the books back to your sick mother…with my best wishes for a speedy recovery.”

“Not here. I’ve got a car waiting outside. You walk me to it, and I’ll tell you all about how much my mother and your aunt had in common.”

Remember the plan, Kane thought. Hand him the books and sit tight. Given no choice, a smart middleman would take them and run. Kane had already promised Kayla they’d lean hard on this guy and anyone else he ratted out to discover the extent of her aunt’s involvement. She didn’t have to jeopardize her life for her aunt’s reputation.

“I’m sure you can make the time for one drink.” Her voice was practically a purr by now. Only Kane recognized the hint of desperation and fear within.

“Not a chance. Let’s go.”

“Hand him the books,” Kane muttered through clenched teeth. Instead, he heard the slide of a chair against the floor.

“Just let me grab my bag,” she murmured.

Kane slammed his hand hard against the wall, ignoring the immediate swelling caused by the impact against concrete. Sweat began a steady trickle down his back.

He wanted to run into the hall and tackle her to the ground to stop her. But then he’d blow the case for sure. There were strategically placed cops outside; she’d be fine.

She’d be fine. Memories welled up inside him fast and furious.

The guys had wanted to shoot hoops after school. Kane couldn’t because he had to get home to his mother. “One game, McDermott. Ten minutes. No big deal.” He’d never said yes before, but the guys were insistent. Ten minutes turned to thirty, then an hour passed. Kane hit the streets at a dead run. She’d be fine, he’d told himself. She’d be fine.

“There’s the car. Now I’ll take the books.” The man’s voice snapped Kane out from the grip of old memories.

“Fine. But I’m done. I have nothing to do with this end of the business. I want to be left alone.”

That’s a girl. Too late for Kane’s peace of mind; she was out there with less coverage than before. But at least she was sticking to the rest of the rules he’d laid out while he was taping her mic in earlier.

Now if the guy would just attempt a clean break, and if Kane’s people could move in, they’d be all set. If, if, if…Dammit, why couldn’t she have stayed inside?

“That’s a dangerous proposition. Just ask your aunt…” The man’s laughter mixed with the hacking cough of a longtime smoker. “That’s right, you can’t and you want to know why? She never wanted to be involved and look what happened to her.”

“It wasn’t an accident.” The horror in Kayla’s voice caused Kane’s heart to twist into a tight knot.

Kane shook his head, feeling her pain like his own. You were right all along about your aunt’s innocence, sweetheart. And Kane should have trusted her gut instinct as much as he trusted his own. Because he l…

A car horn blared in the distance, and her attacker’s voice sounded next. “I didn’t say that, but if thinking it keeps you in line, I’m all for it. Now hand over the books.”

“You killed Aunt Charlene.” Shock tinged Kayla’s voice.

Dammit, hand over the books.

“The books, lady.”

“Ouch! Okay. You’re hurting me,! Here.”

A loud, masculine grunt followed. Kane recalled Kayla nearly doubling him over with the same books and couldn’t suppress a half-laugh, half-groan at her unmitigated gall.