Noni cleared her throat. A pulse set up between her legs. So that’s why he had been in town. To catch a serial killer. “That wasn’t in the news.”
“It wouldn’t be.” He pushed away from the door frame and moved toward her, holding out his hand. “My records.”
She clutched them to her chest. “I’m not done snooping.”
“Yes, you are.” He grasped the manila folders with two fingers and pulled.
She could fight him, but in a tug of war, she’d probably lose. Or at least get a paper cut, and those sucked. “Who is Dr. Madison?”
At the question, his lazy indulgence disappeared. A flash of heat hit his eyes, and for the moment, he looked every bit as deadly as he’d warned her that he could be. Barely leashed violence poured off him in a heat she could actually feel. “Nobody,” he said, his voice guttural.
Noni gaped at him. At the change in him—in a second. “Right. I, ah, I can see that.”
Then the gates closed. A veil fell over his expressive eyes, effectively shutting her out.
She exhaled. “I’d forgotten that look.” When they’d dated, every time she’d asked about his life, about his childhood, he’d shut her out. And she’d let him. Oh, she’d sensed the pain in his past, and she’d just accepted him, knowing someday he’d open up to her. Someday he’d feel free enough, safe enough, to confide in her. “I was such a clueless idiot,” she muttered, finally letting the truth in. Even when they’d been together, he hadn’t let her know him.
“No, you weren’t,” he said gently. “I’m good at playing a part. Really good.”
Fury lashed her. She jumped up, sending the chair flying back. He had fooled her, and he had done a good job of it. But there had been moments . . . real moments. She had to trust herself and what she felt. Could she shake him? Get him to admit it was more than just a part? “Oh,baby. You’re not that good.”
“No?” he asked silkily.
“No.” She levered up right into his face, finally trusting her instincts. “I may not know the details of your life, of your big secrets, but I know you a little bit, asshole.” She slapped a hand on his chest. Hard. “Whether you like it or not, you revealed some of your true self.” While she didn’t know the facts, she knew his heart. Whether he liked it or not. Since he’d shown up in her motel room, she hadn’t had time to really think. No way would he hurt her. He might be dangerous, but she was safe. Well, probably. “You’re not such a mystery.”
“Maybe,” he said, pressing his hand over hers. “It doesn’t change anything. We’re gonna find this baby and get you safe. Then I have another job to do.”
“Jobs,” she sputtered as his heart beat so steadily against her palm. “Tons of jobs, right?”
“No. Just one.” His hand completely covered hers, and she couldn’t move it. The way he’d said the words gave her pause. Such finality in each syllable.
Her gaze dropped to the files in his other hand. “Dr. Madison?”
He slowly nodded.
“You’re trying to find her?” That’s what he did, right? He found people or things. His detective agency found the lost. That’s what he’d always said.
“Yes.”
She swallowed. “Then what?” Instinct chilled her, but she didn’t know why. Tension choked around them. “What happens to Dr. Madison?”
“I’m going to kill her.” With that, Denver released Noni’s hand and moved around her to the computers. “Now. Let’s find that baby.”
CHAPTER
5
Denver finished the dry cereal, his gaze on the computer. Ah shit. The Kingdom Boys had sources on the dark web, where they sold drugs. Anything and everything, including kids, could be sold there. He kept his expression stoic since Noni was in the room, but a fire burned in his chest. They had to save that baby.
She watched another monitor from the ripped orange chair.
The office chair he sat in barely held his weight, protesting every time he moved. “Store. Today.”
“You’re back to talking in incomplete sentences,” she muttered.
So long as he got his point across, who cared? “Okay.”
“Whatever.” Noni sat on one leg. She wore light jeans with a pretty green sweater, looking sweet and tempting.
