Her mouth gaped. Not what she’d been expecting. She wanted to matter to him badly. How pathetic was that? Even so, he was sorry he’d caused harm. Not sorry he’d left. She needed to remember that very important distinction—because nowhere in it was a promise of a future. A promise of anything. “I don’t have an answer to that.”
He brushed hair back from her face gently, sending her system into overdrive again. “But that has to remain in the past, at least for now. We’re in danger. Serious danger.”
His touch felt so right while his words cut deep. His honesty hurt her. She tried to follow his words and not hit him in the face. Because he was right about the danger. It was time to stop thinking about herself, about her heart, and put Talia first. The thought hit her then: she was going to be a mother. Oh God. She didn’t know how to do that. Not really. She’d helped for three months, and she loved that baby. It was a start. “There’s a gang after us.”
He nodded. “Not just them. There are enemies from my past, ones far more dangerous than that gang, whom you’ve alerted with your posts of my picture. These people are ruthless and well trained.”
Goose bumps rose on her arms. Not once had she thought she might be putting him in danger. “Who are they?” Her gaze caught on the manila file near the computer. The one he hadn’t let her read. “Is that Dr. Madison one of them?”
“She is, and she’s a psychopath,” Denver said, his jaw hardening. “She’s ruthless and doesn’t understand the concept of mercy.”
Icy fingers tracked down Noni’s spine, and she shivered. Oh, she wanted the whole story and needed to know more about him. “I’m sorry I’ve exposed you.”
“It’s okay. The baby comes first.” Denver tightened his hold. “But the personal stuff, the hurt and anger and sarcasm. That needs to go away and right now so we can get this job done.”
Heat filled her cheeks. He was right. Their only priority right now had to be Talia. While she had no clue how to be a mother, she at least knew that the baby had to be her number-one priority. She could learn the rest. “I understand.”
“Good. This is an op, and there’s no arguing. I’m in charge, Non. You obey. I can’t say it any clearer than that.” His voice remained gentle, but his hold was unbreakable.
That so did not sit well. Not even a little. She opened her mouth to argue, and he bit her lip. Shock ripped through her, and she went rigid. Lightning speared her, making her ache. Making her need . . . more.
He licked the small wound and leaned back. “I don’t play fair. In fact, I don’t play. Learn that now.”
She had no words. His mouth had seared her, imprinting hard. She could still feel the nip. Who the hell was this guy? Worse yet, why was she even more intrigued than before? She’d never been the type to go for a bad boy. Yet here she was.
But she needed him. Needed his strength and edge . . . even the darkness. To save Talia. If anybody could save her from a dangerous gang, it’d be him. That’s why Noni had hunted him down.
She dropped her gaze to his chest, fighting to moderate her breath. Her heart beat wildly, and a terrifying ache set up between her thighs. “Your point?” she managed to force out without whimpering.
He twisted one hand in her hair and pulled back, forcing a helpless, choked sound from her. “No more arguing about payment. No more digs about the past. No more defiance.” He drew her face closer, stealing her breath. “I’ll keep you safe. I’ll get that baby back. I’ll do it my way.”
Her gaze dropped to his lips. He was absolute, and he wasn’t backing down. Could she fight him? Even if she wanted to? It didn’t matter. Not really. She needed him to save Talia. “Denver.”
“Tell me you get me. That’s all I want to hear from you. Now.” His breath brushed her lips.
What if she argued? What would he do? A part of her really wanted to find out. The other part, the sane and rational part, knew she needed his help to find Talia. Even if she had to agree to his terms. There truly wasn’t a better choice. “I get you,” she said, her body stiffening as she gave in.
For now.
CHAPTER
6
Three hours after his heart to heart with Noni, Denver conducted another search on the Internet. Noni worked through her papers across the room from him, having avoided talking to him the rest of the morning. He couldn’t really blame her. Playing the heavy had never sit well with him, but if he was going to keep her alive, he had no choice. He stood. “I have to run an errand.” That sounded better than telling her he was going to steal a car, right?
She didn’t look up. “Whatever.”
He paused. His fingers itched to pick her up again and sit for a while, but he’d already made his point. “Okay.” Footsteps outside caught his attention. He stiffened and moved instantly to the drapes, tugging his gun out from the back of his jeans. “Get down.”
The sound of her moving reassured him.
One guy in thick boots strode easily up the snow-filled walk with two oversized boxes balanced in his hands. He had cropped dark hair and wore a dark brown uniform. His movements were graceful and steady.
Denver tensed. “Get ready to go out the back door.” He could cover her. “If I yell to run, you run through the backyard, scale the fence to the west, and keep running. Get to the police station and ask for Detective Malloy. He’s a friend.”
Noni gasped. “What about you?”
“I’ll be right behind you.”
