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"What?" His voice rasped like dark velvet. "That you were in serious danger of being taken from me?" It was obvious he was holding onto his control by a thread. "That whatever or whoever you decided to secretly meet with was within seconds of hurting you?"
Her eyes widened. "Dane wouldn't hurt me. "
"Dane!" His lists were clenched as he leaned them on the desk, staring across it as a thread of jealousy stole into his voice. "Let me guess. The same man who's rescued you for the past ten years? The one who keeps a close enough eye on you that he steals you from beneath Coyotes' noses with an inch of your life to spare?" Her brows arched. "Yeah, that's the one," she answered mockingly. "Should I also point out he's the one who saved my life, countless times…"
"The same one who was within seconds of kidnapping your ass," he snarled.
"I wouldn't let that happen…"
"This time, you couldn't have stopped it. " His jaw bunched as she watched him forcibly restrain himself from saying more. "Go do the damned reports, Harmony. Now. Please. " She inhaled slowly.
"I'm a big girl, Lance," she said slowly. "I've been taking care of myself for a long time. "
"Yes, you have. " He nodded shortly as he straightened. "And several times those bastards hunting you have damned near killed you. Until I can get a handle on the sheer terror clenching my balls right now, then I'd suggest you drop this subject. " He was impossible.
"Fine. " She waved her hand dismissively as she turned her back on him and headed to her office. "I'll go do the damned reports. But later, I'm going to kick your ass for being so stubborn. "
He was stubborn? Lance stared at her retreating back in amazement. She had the nerve to call him stubborn? The woman could have written the book on stubborn. Breathing in roughly, he sat down in his chair, staring at the closed door in disbelief. She had no idea how close she'd come to being taken. Within seconds. He could still remember the imperative cry that suddenly filled the air, making his knees weak as the sound of danger, of Harmony's absence, began to shriek through his mind. If she resists, we 'll take her… The hard voice had drifted past his ears as he came out of his chair. Knock her out and we 'll have her on the heli-jet before she awakens. It was the first time in his life that actual words had whispered past his ear as the air called to him. She had no idea the danger she had been in. The man who had rescued her for ten years was now intent on taking her.
Why?
He rose from his chair and paced the office, pausing at the window and staring into the dark landscape of the park beyond.
The side of the department was now well lit, something Lance rarely bothered with unless there was an event in the park itself. The lights from the park illuminated the area enough for safety's sake, but there were still shadows to hide within. Shadows that suddenly seemed ominous.
He braced his hands on the window frame as he stared into them, searching for answers, for movement. He should have let her explain, but he'd be damned if he could handle her confidence in the unknown Dane right now.
She was smart, and she was damned tough. But that bastard had been her savior for too many years. That kind of relationship built a trust that could so easily be used against her.
Jonas. Dane. The killing in Pinon. They were all connected somewhere. Somehow. And Alonzo. He had seen the fanatical hatred in the reverend's eyes and knew they hadn't seen the last of him.
"I'm finished. " Harmony stalked into the office and slapped the reports on his desk as he turned to her.
He glanced at the clock. It was close enough to midnight to leave for the night. He had finished the paperwork waiting on him and his second-in-command had shown up early.
"Did you have dinner?" he asked with a frown.
She didn't eat enough, and that bothered him. How
she managed to keep going on the amount of food and rest she took in amazed the hell out of him.
"Yes. I ate. " She frowned heavily. "What does that have to do with anything?"
"Nothing, because I doubt you ate enough to keep a bird alive. Let's go. You can eat with me before we head to the house. "
"I'm not hungry. "
"Well, I am, and I hate eating alone. " At least she was following him—that surprised him.
"You're getting too bossy to suit me," she informed him, moving to his side as they neared the lobby doors.
"I'm not bossy, ask anyone," he growled. "I'm as easygoing as they come. "
"I'm glad I wasn't eating when you made that little statement. " She gave a mock cough.
"I would have choked. "
He threw her a glare as they moved through the night, the summer night surrounding them, the hint of rain bringing a relief from summer's heat.
