Page 85 of The Gentleman

Leo bent close to Kat. “I’ve got you,” he murmured. “I won’t let go.”

She turned into his chest, the gesture seizing his heart. Her breath shuddered against his neck. He held her tighter, compartmentalizing everything except what was necessary.

Gage returned. “Tip’s in. They’ll be here soon.”

“Can you walk?” Leo asked.

She squared her shoulders, steel returning. “Yes.” Stronger than before, though her eyes remained unfocused.

As they moved toward the door, Leo glimpsed Jane’s body one last time.

This wasn’t just about clearing Kat’s name anymore.

Jane had died trying to help them, and someone had made damn sure Kat found her like this.

This wasn’t a warning. It was a challenge.

And he intended to answer it.

37

Kat staredout the window as they headed away from Jane’s apartment. Leo’s hand found hers across the console. Her chilled skin drank in his heat. Gage said nothing in the back seat.

The lights still on. The unlocked door.

She squeezed her eyes shut, but the images clawed back anyway.

Jane’s open eyes. The silence. The coppery smell.

Gravel crunched under the tires, and Leo’s fingers tightened around hers. “We’re here.”

She nodded. If she spoke, she might unravel.

Cold air hit her face as she stepped out, but her legs held. She breathed in damp tarmac and distant chimney smoke.

Brock opened his front door before they reached it. He greeted them with a curt jerk of his head. “Come in, quick,” he said, ushering them through. “Got the kettle on.”

The house’s warmth hit her. Above her head, the porcelain figurines still lined every shelf. Before they had struck her as creepy. Now they were strangely comforting.

Leo’s hand pressed on her back. “You need to sit.”

“I need to think.”

Leo didn’t argue. Instead, he steered her through Brock’s cluttered ops center to the kitchen, to cozy yellow light and the smell of instant coffee and toast.

Gage hovered in the doorway, hands in his pockets, as Brock fussed with mugs and tea bags.

A television burbled from the corner of the room as she took a seat. Images flickered. Yellow police tape. Uniformed officers. A familiar red brick building.

The Royal London.

Kat leaned forward. “Gage. Turn that up.”

Gage grabbed the remote.

“…authorities have concluded their search of the Royal London Hospital following reports of potential illegal activity. No evidence was recovered, and hospital officials have condemned the disruption to patient care, calling it an unnecessary intrusion.”

Her fingers twitched and she imagined punching the screen.

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