Kane levelled a look at me. “The more people who know, the greater chance that someone will let it slip and one of Dixie’s friends will warn her, sending her deeper into hiding.”
Convict replied, “Gonna have to overrule you. She’s my friend and future sister-in-law. We need the right people on the inside of this. You’re part of a crew. We don’t fucking gossip and can keep a tight circle. Understand?”
Kane took a deep breath that inflated his broad chest. “Fine. Keep it to those few.”
“We have work to do. Lovelyn, stay safe.” Convict hung up.
Silence filled the car.
“Nice trick,” I said.
“What will it take to bring you to my side?”
“Thought you’d already done that with your declaration to Mila.”
He caught my hand, and his fingers tightened around mine, red blood staining my skin. “I need ye willing.”
I held my breath. Again, I was in an enclosed space with him. All of a sudden, the intensity of it hit harder, the weight of attraction and alarm over the huge, ruthless predator who was far too interested in me.
I chose my words carefully. “Are you angry that you lost control of this?”
Kane twitched his lips, his gaze leaving mine for a moment. “I’m not angry at ye, if that’s what you mean. I’m…” He searched for his words. “I’m uncomfortable with anyone knowing my mind. I work better alone. It’s not all strategy. It’s…muscle memory.”
Damn it. Emotion rinsed me out again.
He stared. “What’s that look for?”
“You didn’t feel that way when it was just me in the know.”
“So?”
“It…it just made me happy.”
I shouldn’t have explained it, but the words came out anyway.
He released my hand. “Just because I want to fuck you doesn’t mean we’re friends.”
My balloon popped, and the happiness fizzled away.
The man sighed. “That came out wrong. Maybe I don’t hate you like I hate most others.”
“You hate me a small amount, though?”
“No, flower girl. I don’t hate you at all.”
It was a concession, yet my bruised and broken heart clung to it. The moment spread out, and by degrees, I regained my sanity.
I felt foolish for bringing emotion into the conversation, even if I’d had no choice. He’d picked up on it and called it out. Still, it helped to know there was the tiniest spark of regard in his oversized frame.
It was ridiculous how all the bad things he’d done to me had been neatly dusted under the carpet.
Kane watched me. “Ye dislike my secret keeping. Ask your questions. What do ye want to know? I’ll answer what I can.”
I swallowed. “What made you suspect Dixie in the first place?”
“A photograph the solicitor had at the will reading. He wasn’t prepared to show it, but I made him, and only to me. It was of a young girl of around fourteen. Blonde, reminiscent of Mila, but a dead ringer for the woman I’d seen with ye at the warehouse. Remember that moment in the downstairs corridor?”
Dixie had been upset. It was the last time I’d seen her. Or anyone had. I gestured for Kane to return his hand to me so I could bandage him up. One deep scratch still bled. “You were with Tyler.”
