“Perfect.” Killian stood and extended a hand to help Dizzie to her feet.
“Not so fast,” the Jack said. Dizzie held her breath. “My cut is 15 percent of the value of the reward. Plus, 1 percent for my staff if they broker the information that leads to capture.”
Dizzie gasped. That was a lot of money.
Killian and the Jack stared at each other. “Fine,” Killian said. “Ifthe information leads to capture.”
“Agreed,” the Jack said as they shook on it. “See Dani at the bar. She’ll get you a room key.”
Chapter29
The chainthat the old-fashioned metal key the bartender had given them dangled from Killian’s fingers as he led the way to the room they’d been assigned. Dizzie followed close behind, a presence that he was growing more and more accustomed to.
She was starting to get under his skin.
Killian had nearly lost it when that corporate asshole had put his hands on her. A wave of possessiveness had rushed through him and in that moment, he’d wanted to play hero. He’d wanted to be the one to save her.
When Dizzie had spilled a cup of not-coffee on the guy’s arm, the spell had been broken and Killian had slowed his pace. She could take care of herself.
This driving need to keep her safe—was that how Tommy had felt about Portia? He stopped suddenly, struck by the thought.
Dizzie ran into his back. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing, sorry. I got distracted.” True enough. No way could he explain the terrifying turn his thoughts had taken. “I want this to be over.”
She stiffened and stepped back, so he hurried to add, “I want the waiting to be over.” He didn’t want his time with her to be over. That was part of the problem.
“Oh, right, me too.” Her smile was tight, not nearly as open as the first one.
He’d done that. With careless words, he’d made her feel like she wasn’t important. She was pulling away, when all he wanted was to pull her close.
“Let’s go,” she said. “What’s the room number again?”
He was still distracted from her withdrawal. “Twelve.”
The door closest to him was labeled with a small metal “1.” The next one said “3.”
“I think it’s going to be on your side,” he told her. “You ever been back here before?”
“No, never.” Her red hair shimmied.
He missed the blonde.
In the bar, her big blue eyes had watched him from underneath unfamiliar red hair. The look was appealing—especially with the blue material hugging her curves—but it wasn’t right.
It wasn’t Dizzie.
They passed another few doors to reach room 12.
He positioned Dizzie to the side of the door. “Stay here.”
Though technically she was better armed than he was with her metal nails, he wanted her safe.
She gave him a hard look. “Fine.”
He wanted to kiss her, but the Jack had suggested—forcefully—that they get out of sight quickly. Kissing could wait until they were safely inside the room. He brushed his thumb over her cheek. “Thank you.”
She leaned into his touch, then shifted her head to brush her lips against his hand.
