Ford rose from his chair. “I’ll talk to Arthur Haines. If he’s involved in a kidnapping, he’s got a lot of explaining to do.” Ford drank the last of his coffee and set the mug back down on the table. “In the meantime, I’m telling both of you again not to leave the city and this time you’d better listen.”
As soon as the detective was gone, Kenzie turned to Reese. “I feel terrible for putting you through all of this.”
Something moved across his features and flashed in his eyes. Instead of reaching for her, pulling her into his arms, he remained distant, his careful control back in place. He’d been quiet since they’d left Louisiana.
“We were both targets,” he said. “We’ve been working together from the start, and in the last few days, we’ve made a lot of headway. Griff’s home safe. We know who killed Lee, and Hawk is hunting him. We have to hope something will break.”
She looked at his hard, remote expression, and her heart squeezed. With Griff riding between them in the pickup, they hadn’t talked about what had happened at the cabin. Griff had been strangely silent, as well. She’d heard the gunshots, but with all of them safely returned, the details hadn’t been a priority at the time.
Now they were alone.
“I think it’s time you told me what went on at the cabin,” she said. “Sooner or later, Griff’s going to want to talk about it. I really need to know.”
Reese scrubbed a hand over the several days’ growth of beard along his jaw and leaned his hips against the kitchen counter. His shuttered expression didn’t change.
“You heard some of what was happening on the radio. Bran took out two of the perimeter guards with the tranq gun and we moved into position the way we planned. Then things went to hell when Griff broke free and tried to escape just as we were ready to go in. One of the gunmen caught up with him on the front porch and used him as a shield.”
Her stomach knotted. “Oh, my God.”
“Bran and Chase followed the plan, went in, and took down the two kidnappers inside. Both men were shot but their wounds weren’t fatal. Chase called 911 on the disposable and anonymously reported the incident as soon as we were in cell range.”
“So you were...you were out in front?”
“That’s right.” His eyes seemed bluer, more intense. They never left her face. “I took out the guy who held Griff.”
Her heart twisted, began to beat like a bird trapped in her chest. She studied his expression, unable to read his thoughts. “Bytook out, do you...do you mean you killed him?”
“If I’d let him leave with Griff, we might not have been able to find him again. I didn’t have any choice.”
Her mind spun. She had been so worried about Griff, she hadn’t considered what might happen to the kidnappers during the rescue attempt. She had thought about someone dying, but mostly she was worried about Griff and Reese and his brothers. “And Griff saw this?”
Reese just nodded. “I’m sorry. If there had been any other way...”
“No wonder he was so upset.”
Reese made no reply.
“He’ll need counseling,” she said. “Someone he can talk to about what happened.”
“I know. Whatever it costs, I can pay—”
“No! Griff’s my problem, not yours.” She held his gaze. “What happens when Griff tells the doctor you killed one of the kidnappers?”
“It’s doctor-patient privilege. Nothing they can do. But it isn’t a secret a little boy should be burdened with. When the time is right, I’ll tell Ford what happened. Considering the circumstances, I’m sure we can work things out.”
Her mind was spinning. She needed time to process the information. “I’ll speak to Griff, tell him not to talk about it at school. He won’t want to get you in trouble.”
Reese fell silent. He glanced down at the floor then back, as if he wanted to say something more, but in the end, he just pushed away from the counter and prepared to leave.
“I’d better go,” he finally said. “If you need anything, just call.”
Her heart throbbed. She didn’t want him to leave. “What about work?”
“Take whatever time you need.” He didn’t touch her, made no effort to kiss her goodbye, just turned and walked away. Long strides carried him across the living room. Reese pulled open the door. His gaze ran over her one last time. “Good night, Kenzie.”
She didn’t answer. She didn’t want to leave things so uncertain between them, but she needed time to figure things out, time to decide what was best for Griff. This was a different man than the Reese she knew. Harder, tougher. A man who could kill another human being.
She had to think of her son. Had to be sure being with Reese was the right thing for both of them.
