Declan burst out laughing, eyes sparkling with mirth.“Oh, lovey.As tempting as the offer is…I’m notthatstupid.”
Regan pulled her hand away.Well, tried to.Declan’s fingers closed around hers before she broke contact, threading through them to hold her hand exactly where it had been on his thigh.She scowled at him.And at the sudden urge to inch her hand higher up the muscled hardness of his leg to the bulge of his crotch.“Yes youarethat stupid.”She gave a pathetic, little tug against his hold.“If you won’t let me help you, that’s exactly how stupid you are.”
“Ha!You’re a fine one to be lecturing me on receiving help.I’ve been kicked and thumped by you more times than I can recall since I started trying to help you.”
Regan stared at him.Laughter laced his words and his fingers melded so perfectly with hers for a moment she wanted to lean over and kiss him deeply.“OK, Paddy,” she said instead.“What is your plan?I think you owe me that much.At least give me a say in what we’re going to do next.”
Regan thought she saw a bleakness tighten his features seconds before he smiled at her.“I’ve always wanted to see the Great Barrier Reef.”
“You’re not serious?”
Declan’s grey gaze fell on her.His expressionwasserious, but Regan suspected it had nothing to do with the fourth natural wonder of the world.“Here’s the thing, Regan,” he said calmly.“We can’t run forever.Every second you’re with me, you’re in danger.Every second Epoc’s alive, you’re in danger.The only way I can keep you safe is to remove Epoc from the equation.”His fingers closed more snugly around hers and his eyes shimmered silver.“I can’t do that if you’re with me.”
Regan’s mouth went dry.“So, you’re planning to do what?”
He shook his head and turned back to the road.“I’m assuming you left a note for your brother back in the mansion?”
Regan started at the unexpected question.“Why…?”
“Because he’s your brother,” Declan answered without looking at her.“Because you love him, trust him.”
Regan licked her lips, unsure what to say.
“I knew you would.But it complicates things.”
“In what way?”
“I told you earlier, Regan.Epoc owns the cops.”
A sharp snort of disbelief shot from Regan’s nose.“You think Peter’s one of Epoc’s lackeys?You truly are stupid.”
Dark grey eyes flicked to her.“Not Peter.”
Regan blinked at Declan’s calm statement.The sound of an unfamiliar, arrogantly poised female on the other end of a phone connection echoed in her head and her heart thumped into her throat.Oh, God.Was Pete in danger now too?“What do you mean?Is my brother?—”
Declan shook his head.“I don’t know, Regan.But I’m not the trusting type.I have to take you somewhere no one will find you.Not until I’m finished with Epoc.”
“And what?Lock me up?Chain me to a wall?”
Stiff silence answered her incredulous question.
“You’re not serious?”Regan asked.Again.
“I lost Maggie to Epoc.I’m not losing you too.”
“Lose me?Am I property now?”
Declan’s eyes flashed with impatient irritation.“You know what I mean.”
Regan tugged her hand from his grasp and folded her arms across her chest.“Excuse the cliché, Paddy, but I do know how to take care of myself.”
Jaw clenched, Declan planted his foot harder to the accelerator and the Jag roared forward with an aggressive growl.“Against a human,” he said, stare fixed on the road, “I don’t doubt it.”
Anger—like a simmering volcano—bubbled up in Regan’s chest.“I’ve sent you reeling twice.”
“More than twice, Regan.Every time we touch you send me reeling.”
The low statement caught Regan’s breath.Heat flooded into her cheeks.Between the junction of her thighs.“Declan…” she began, unsure what to say.
