Page 3 of Kane's Bounty
He released her, locked the door and put the chain on as soon as they were inside. Then he pulled the small table in front of it to ensure she would have trouble if she tried to bolt. He really didn’t want to have to cuff her if he didn’t have to.
“Here.” He handed her the bag of ice. “Sit down and put this on your head. I can see the bump from here. I’ll see if I have any aspirin for you. You must have a hell of a headache.”
She regarded him warily, but took the ice and sat on the edge of the bed. She winced when she touched the dripping bag to the side of her head.
Kane cringed with her, knowing it had to hurt. He didn’t actually feel her pain, but he did feel the flinch as her mind acknowledge the sting. He was going to kick Wade’s ass when he saw him. What are you thinking? She’s a mark, nothing more. She’s not your sister. You aren’t protecting her, just bring her in and leave it at that.
He dug some aspirin out of his duffle and handed it to her.
She took it, popped it in her mouth and swallowed before he had a chance to get her a glass of water. “You said you’d answer questions.”
Kane nodded, pulled a chair around in front of her and sat. It was all he could do not to read her. He knew she was hiding something, but she didn’t strike him as a thief. Nothing about Lena Cruz was what he’d expected.
“Who are you and who was the asshole who hit me?”
“Shamus Wade.”
She narrowed her dark eyes. “You’re Shamus Wade?”
He grunted involuntarily. “No. He’s the guy who hit you, and you’re right, he is an asshole.”
“Why was he after me and how did he find me?”
He smiled, he couldn’t help himself. She hadn’t missed that he’d avoided her question about him, but she thought she could get information through a back door. “Your ex-husband probably hired him to find you and bring you to him rather than returning you to the courts for trial. He found you because he’s a Psi hunter.”
“Psychic?”
He nodded and tried to gauge her reaction. A lot of people were uncomfortable with anyone who used their sixth sense. She didn’t flinch nor did he feel any repulsion. A sense of relief washed over him. Idiot. Even if the circumstances were different, which they’re not, she would never go for a guy like you. He continued to remind himself that this was a job, not a date.
“What is Wade’s talent?”
“He’s a telepath. First, he followed your path by tracking a paper trail of all the places you stopped and used credit cards or signed your name. He could sense if people had seen you by their reaction to his questions. He’s actually not very good. I’m a little surprised he found you.”
She watched him carefully now and pulled the bag of ice away from her head. “Is that how you found me?”
“Yes.”
“And now you’re going to drag me back to Oscar so he can kill me?”
“Why would your ex-husband want to kill you, Lena?” Stop asking questions, Kane. You don’t want to get involved.
The smile was not happy and it never touched her eyes, but still, she transformed from merely pretty to beautiful in an instant. “Because if I live, people might find out the truth and Oscar can’t have that, can he?”
It was a test. She was trying to find out exactly how much he knew about her ex’s plans. He could feel her mind working out details and trying to make a plan. He admired her methodical processing. “I wouldn’t know. I don’t work for Oscar Thorn. I was contracted by the courts to bring you in.”
“The courts contract Psi bounty hunters?”
“I prefer fugitive recovery agent.”
Then she laughed, really laughed. The sound bounced around the room, and he felt it right down to his cock, which had been at half-mast since he’d first seen Lena in the bar. “You can call it whatever you want, you’re still bringing me to be executed for a crime I didn’t commit.”
“Not my problem.”
“No.” All the joy of the moment before flushed out of her. She stood up and went to the bathroom.
He knew she was looking for a way out of the room. He couldn’t blame her. It’s exactly what he would have done in her position. A few minutes later, she returned and sat on the bed again.
“What’s your name?”
