Page 4 of Kane's Bounty
“Kane.” He felt something from her when he said his name. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it and it was gone an instant later.
She dug in the pocket of her jeans and pulled out a black elastic band. Lifting her arms, she pulled her thick dark hair back into a ponytail. The movement thrust her full breasts forward and he could see the outline of her bra beneath the black T-shirt she wore. “So, Kane, what’s your plan?”
“I take you in. As soon as the others clear the area, we’ll head for the local police station. They can get you back to Boston.” He didn’t like the way the words sounded coming out of his mouth. There was a hesitation in his voice he’d never heard before. He got up and moved the chair back near the window, sat down on the other bed, propped some pillows up and leaned back. “You should get some sleep, Lena. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow.”
Her eyes narrowed again. She looked at the bed and then at him. “Can I trust you, Kane?”
He turned his head to look at her. “Are you asking if I’m going to rape you while you’re sleeping?”
“Yes.” There was less confidence in the one word than there had been in everything else she’d said since they entered the hotel room.
Kane leaned back and closed his eyes again. “You’re safe, Lena. I never take what isn’t offered freely and willingly. Though if you’re offering, I’m not saying no.” His cock jumped at the idea, but he pushed the urge away.
There was a long pause and he could feel her considering the idea. Surprise could not begin to describe his emotion at that moment. He’d expected repulsion, but she was scared, not repulsed. He opened his eyes and watched her. She suddenly looked small and fragile. All her bravado had left her.
His chest tightened and he couldn’t suppress the need to know what had happened to this woman. “It won’t change the fact that I have to turn you in, Lena. Just get some sleep.” He knew his words would make her angry, but also ease her trepidation.
It had the desired effect. “You’re no better than your friend, Wade.”
He felt his mouth quirk up on one side. “At least I didn’t punch you in the head.”
* * *
Kane didn’t sleep, but he kept his eyes closed and his senses open. He knew the moment another hunter was on the property. He even recognized who it was and it was not a comfort.
He eased off the bed and shook her awake. Her bare arm felt silky and warm under his touch. Damn, everything about this woman aroused him. “Lena, wake up. We’ve got trouble.”
She was awake and alert in an instant.
“Put your shoes on and try to close your mind off or they’ll track us.”
He took his own advice and shut down his senses. Now that he knew who was after her, there was no point leading them to the room.
“Who is it? I thought they would arrest Wade.”
“It’s not Wade.” He took her by the wrist while tossing his duffle over his shoulder.
“Who, then?”
He could see the whites of her eyes in the dim light, but she had closed off her mind more naturally than most people could. He didn’t have time to think about it. “Troth Banta. He’s a mercenary, used to be Special Forces. What the hell did you take? No way Thorn calls in guns this big for money.”
“I didn’t take anything from him.” Her voice was only a whisper, but he heard her loud and clear.
She had shut her mind off, so he didn’t know for sure if she was lying or not. Though, at the very least, he thought she believed what she said.
It didn’t matter, she was his mark and he’d captured her. That made her his responsibility until he turned her over to the courts. No one, not even Troth Banta, would harm her while he breathed.
He turned to her and grabbed her chin. “Listen to me very carefully, Lena. I know you don’t trust me and you have no reason to. But if you run, Banta will catch you. I promise you, you’re better off with me than with him. If you want to go back to your ex, fine. I’ll send you out there and I don’t have to risk my neck.”
“I can’t go back,” she said. A flash of fear crossed her face, but she had amazing command of her mind and he felt nothing from her.
“Then stay close to me and don’t make a sound. Do everything I tell you, and since you’re so good at it, keep your mind closed off.” She nodded and he released her chin.
He had questions, lots of them, but they would have to wait. He pushed the table out of the way and opened the door. She did as he’d told her and stayed close, so close her spicy scent filled his head.
Keep your eye on the ball, Kane.
He ran down the hallway to a fire escape leading to an alley. They reached the ground a minute later. At the corner of the building, he peered around.
