Carson’s phone rang.
He froze, then swore viciously against her neck. “I have to check it. It could be about Dan.”
“I know.”
He pulled back reluctantly, and Nora immediately felt the loss of his warmth. Carson grabbed his phone from his pocket, checking the screen.
“It’s Finn.” He answered, his voice still rough. “This better be important.”
Nora watched his expression change as he listened. Watched the tenderness fade, replaced by hard detective intensity.
“When?” A pause. “Are you sure it’s him?” Another pause. “I’m on my way.”
He ended the call and looked at Nora with regret and frustration warring on his face.
“Dan was spotted at a gas station three miles from here,” Carson said. “Security footage shows him asking the clerk questions about hotels in the area.”
Ice flooded Nora’s veins. “He’s looking for me.”
“We don’t know that for sure. But I need to go meet Finn, coordinate the search. Euton is outside your door. He won’t let anyone past. But, Nora—” His hands cupped her face firmly. “Stay inside. Don’t open the door for anyone except me. Promise me.”
“I promise.”
Carson stood, and Nora could see him shifting, the man who’d just kissed her disappearing behind the detective’s armor. It should have scared her. Should have made her feel like what they’d just shared wasn’t real.
But she understood. This was who he was. Someone who compartmentalized. Who did what needed to be done.
And right now, what needed to be done was catching Dan Morrison.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” Carson said, moving to the door.
“Carson?”
He turned.
“Be careful.”
Something softened in his expression. “Always am.” Then, quieter, “We’re not done here. You and me. We’re going to finish this conversation when I get back.”
Then he was gone.
Nora sat on the bed, still feeling the ghost of his touch, still tasting him on her lips. Her body hummed with interrupted desire, but her mind was already spinning.
Dan was close. Looking for her. Asking about hotels.
She stood and moved to the window, looking down at the street below. Cars passed. People walked. Everything looked normal.
But somewhere out there, Dan Morrison was hunting her.
And despite what Carson said, despite the officer outside her door, Nora couldn’t shake the feeling that danger was getting closer.
***
Three blocks away, Dan Morrison sat in his car, staring at a photo on his phone.
Nora Bell. Smiling in the picture, unaware she was being photographed. Looking happy and carefree and completely oblivious to the pain she’d caused.
Just like her father.
