Page 81 of The Search

“And what about you?”

“Get real.”

“What about you?” he repeated.

“For God’s sake, I was only a kid. I met him right after I joined ATF. I was lonely and I thought he— He was very smooth. He fooled me for over six months. Then I broke it off. He didn’t like it.”

“Evidently.” He didn’t look at her. “He clearly found you very entertaining.”

She felt heat rise to her face. “So?”

“Just commenting. I take it he’s been fucking you in other ways since you stopped letting him come to your bed.”

“That was crude.”

“But true.”

She didn’t speak for a moment. “Yes. He always wanted to be the one holding the whip.”

“I trust you’re not speaking literally. I think even you would have said no to—” He broke off and shook his head. “Sorry. That wasn’t necessary.”

“No, and that was crude too. And none of your damn business.”

“You’re right. As I said, I’m sorry.” He turned around to face her. “I suppose I felt a little hurt that you’d close me out. Friends don’t do that.”

The tension between them was gone, she realized with relief. Or had it just eased? She’d take it either way. “I never said I was your friend.”

“But you are, aren’t you?”

Days of closeness and working together. Nights of tending Maggie. Jokes, humor, familiarity. “I suppose I am,” she said slowly.

“You’re damn right you are. I’ve worked too hard to make sure you—”

The phone rang.

“I’ll get it.” Logan crossed the room in four steps and picked up the phone. “She’s not available. This is John Logan. Talk to me.” He listened for a few moments. “I’ll have someone stop by your office with a certified check within the hour. Give him a notarized bill of sale in exchange. Thanks.” He hung up the phone and turned back to her. “Sanders with ATF. He said he’s the head of the K9 unit. You know him?”

“He’s my boss.” Excitement was surging through her. “Madden called him? He’s going to sell me Monty?”

He nodded. “Tomorrow you’ll have the papers on him.”

Oh, God, it was too good to be true. After all this time and heartache, it was going to happen. “Really?”

He smiled. “Really.”

Her knees felt weak. She sank down in the easy chair. “I was afraid he wouldn’t do it. I couldn’t believe . . .”

“Believe.”

Monty was hers. No more threats. He was safe.

Logan’s gaze was on her face. “You’re . . . radiant.”

She felt radiant. She felt as glowing as the sun. “He’s safe.”

“Yes.”

She closed her eyes. “I’ve been so worried about him. Dogs are helpless. They can’t protect themselves from cruelty.”