Page 183 of A Dangerous Kind of Love

My hand slides into her hair gently. “I remember, Doll.”

“You promised.”

“I know.” I kiss her forehead again. “And don’t forget you’ve got your little book club thing with Rosalia this afternoon.”

Katie squints at me. “You make it sound so lame when you call it that.”

I grin slightly. “You spend three hours drinking wine and judging fictional people.”

“That is not what we do.”

“That’s exactly what you do.”

She fights a smile against my chest. “We analyze themes.”

“Mm. Sure you do. I saw the book you were reading for this week. I know about you and your dirty cowboys.”

Her hand slides beneath my jacket, fingers brushing the side of my shirt. “You’re making fun of me before six in the morning. That’s not nice.”

A quiet laugh leaves me. Murder, betrayal, docks, federal pressure, a traitor sitting across my city waiting to be dragged into my office and somehow this woman’s biggest concern right now is movie night and defending book club.

I tilt her chin up gently.

“Have fun with Rosalia today.”

Katie softens at that, her arms tightening around my waist. “I will.”

I kiss her slowly just because I can. Then I rest my forehead against hers.

“I’ll be home tonight.”

By eight in the morning, I’m sitting in the back of the SUV in a parking lot while two different crews keep eyes on the motel. I read updates on my phone as Marco sits in the driver’s seat. Sal’s too smart to sit still this long unless he’s waiting for something or someone.

Marco’s phone buzzes.

“What?”

“Back exit.”

I’m already opening the SUV door.

“How long ago?”

“Less than a minute.”

We move fast, but I know before we even reach the alley that it’s over. Adam is standing near the back entrance looking furious.

“Where is he?”

“Gone.”

Shit.

“How?”

“Maintenance corridor connected to the building next door,” he says. “By the time we got around front, he was already on a bike.”

Marco swears beside me. I stare down the alley for a long moment.