Page 54 of Kane's Bounty
Lena watched both men. “What is it you want from me, Agent Blake?”
“We want you to help us prove that your ex-husband is using illegal methods to manipulate the stock market.”
“And you won’t use the fact that I helped him do it against me.”
Blake’s face grew very serious. “We are well aware you were coerced, Ms. Cruz. You cannot be held accountable for what Thorn forced you to do under threat of bodily harm.”
“How do you know all of that?”
“We’ve been watching Oscar Thorn for a few years.”
Lena seemed to be processing the information. Kane wanted to strangle the fucking guy. He’d known she was being abused, but did nothing because he didn’t want to screw up his investigation.
“I’m sorry, Agent Blake. I no longer have the means to help you.”
“You mean the glass beads you use to view the future. We know you left them with your grandmother, Ms. Cruz. She’s been placed in protective custody with the Flacks.” He looked at Kane. “Your brother requested help when Banta came after them. He’d already gotten them to a safe house, but agents were watching the Thorn residence and followed Banta to the Flack farm. Once they realized who they were after, we contacted the other agency and your brother was informed of the danger. He agreed to allow the three people under his protection to be brought in as long as he was allowed to remain with them. He was adamant on the subject. Ruffled a few feathers, I can tell you that.”
Kane had to suppress his smile. “Joshua has a way of doing that.”
“My grandmother is safe?”
“Perfectly.”
Lena sagged in the chair for several seconds. She then sat up straight. “If I help you, how long will Oscar go to prison for?”
“If we can prove some of the other things we know he’s done, he could get fifteen years.”
“He’d only serve a few years,” Kane said.
“It’s not enough.” Lena’s voice was strong and definite.
The agent stammered. “I can’t change the sentencing laws in the US, Ms. Cruz.”
“Well, I’m not going to put my family at risk so you can get some money from Oscar and in a few years he gets out and kills me. You’ll have to come up with something better if you want my help.” She turned her head toward Kane, but her walls were still in place and he could read nothing from her. Of course, Blake didn’t know that. All the agent knew was that Kane was a telepath.
It only took a few seconds. Blake asked, “Is there something you want to tell me, Ms. Cruz? Do you know something about your ex-husband’s activities that could be of interest to the FBI?”
“I know all of Oscar’s dirty little secrets, Agent Blake.”
The agent’s eye’s widened. Kane could practically see it as dreams of commendations and promotion saturated Blake’s mind. “Perhaps we can come to some deal, Ms. Cruz.”
Lena grinned.
* * *
He’d showeredand now he couldn’t help himself as he stood in the doorway to the large marble bathroom and watched Lena take a bubble bath. His entire body stood at attention, including his cock.
He crossed to her and handed her a glass of champagne. “You were very impressive today.”
She blushed and the pink traveled down to where the swell of her perfect globes disappeared beneath the bubbles. “Thanks.”
“I mean getting the FBI to agree to your terms of what they would charge Thorn with is one thing. But this,” he gestured to the room, “is the work of a master negotiator.”
She was still blushing. “Do you think so?”
“Do you have any idea what this room goes for?”
“Thousands a night.” She sighed and sank deeper into the tub. “I would have settled for another room, but I’m not complaining. I’m just so tired of being dirty. We haven’t been comfortable since those few hours in Mexico and that seems as if it was years ago.”
