Every Step She Takes (Who's Watching Now Book 2) (35 page)

A loan?
He talked like they were business associates. She shuddered. “My mom always keeps a stash of emergency cash in the freezer. We could borrow that.”

“How much?”

Had a board on the front porch creaked? Her pulse pounded. She stood and took a couple steps to her left—out of the line of fire if she wasn’t imagining the sound—and raised her voice. “A few hundred dollars. Enough to pay for gas to get you out of the state.”
Keep him talking and distracted. Please, please let someone—Travis—be out there.
“We can raid the pantry for food, so you won’t have to stop to eat.”

“Oh, you’re coming with me. I’ll turn you loose, but not until I’m free and clear of the area. You’re my insurance policy.”

“Whatever. As long as you let me go, I suppose I can put up with you for another day—”

Wood splintered front and back. Both doors burst inward. Weapon drawn, Travis stepped through the shattered frame of the front door. Before she could move, before she could think, Mason grabbed her and pressed his gun to her forehead.

Grace’s gaze locked on Travis. His Glock held steady as he approached.

“Let her go, Rogers. You’ll be dead if you don’t.”

Kane’s voice spoke behind them. “Use your head, man. I won’t hesitate to put a bullet in your back.”

“You won’t risk hitting Grace.”

The arm wrapped tightly around her chest quivered.
His broken arm.
Sweat dripped down the side of his face and onto her neck. She cringed.

“Let me go, Mason. You’re too smart to think you can get away. David wouldn’t want you to kill me. He’d want you to give up.”

The arm tightened, and his breath came in pants. “David never gave up.”

“He loved you. He only wanted to protect you the night he died. He wouldn’t want you to be shot like a common criminal.”

“I can’t go to prison.”

Had his arm loosened? Was she getting to him? A wave of dizziness threatened. Travis’s gaze locked on hers, steadying, encouraging. She drew in a breath.

“You won’t have to. You’ll tell the jury about your father, about how killing him twisted you up inside and made you crazy. They’ll put you in a psych ward for a couple of years until you convince them you’re cured. You’re young and smart. You’ll be a free man long before you turn thirty. That’s how the system operates.”

“We had a plan. It would have worked, too, if these assholes hadn’t screwed things up for us.”

“The plan’s changed now. I’ll still send you the pictures of David. Let me go. I don’t want to see his little brother die.”

The shaking arm fell away, and he stepped to the side, dropping the weapon. He stood silently, staring at the floor while Kane cuffed him and pushed him down on a chair.

Grace stepped into Travis’s arms and pressed her face against his neck. For a long moment she held on tight, breathing in his scent as his pulse throbbed against her cheek.

“You okay?”

She nodded and looked up. “What took you so long?”

His smile flashed before he lowered his head to kiss her. She smoothed fingers along his rough jaw and kissed him back, never wanting to let go.

“I was so worried.” His gruff voice spoke in her ear. “I don’t know if I could live without you.”

“You won’t have to.” She closed her eyes and leaned against him. When he winced, she stepped back. “Your ribs. I forgot all about them.”

“They’re fine, just a little sore.”

Grace glanced over at Mason Rogers. “Is it okay if I punch him for everything he did to you?”

Kane laughed. “Not unless you want him released on some trumped-up charge of police brutality.”

“Too bad. Can we get out of here? I’ve spent way too many hours in this place.”

“Yeah.” Travis’s breath released on a sigh. “All I want to do is hold you, but I’d better take care of business first.” He glanced past her at Kane. “I’ll call Fritz to see what he wants us to do with Rogers.”

Kane smiled. “I told Travis you’d have the situation under control. If you ever get tired of reporting the news, SFPD would hire you in a minute to talk crazies off ledges.”

She grinned back at him. “Too stressful. I wasn’t at all certain I was convincing.”

Rogers looked up, eyes narrowed. “Oh, you convinced me, but only because every word you said was true. I can be very persuasive. An insanity defense will work perfectly once I turn on the
poor little boy
charm. I’ll be out in no time, completely rehabilitated. Just watch.”

Looking into that cool, intense gaze, Grace shivered. She didn’t doubt he meant what he said.

Travis tucked the phone back into his pocket. “Fritz and the local authorities are on their way. We’re not to move an inch until they get here. He’s pissed I didn’t call him sooner.”

“Shouldn’t he be happy you captured an escaped assassin?” Grace scowled. “I have a couple of things to say to your old pal.”

“Of course you do. You always have plenty to say.”

“Damn right. If we can’t leave, I don’t suppose you brought any food with you? I’m starving.”

Travis laughed. “Grace, you never cease to amaze me.”

“Good. That should keep things interesting.”

* * * *

Travis pulled Grace tight against his chest and kissed her. Rolling with her in the tangled sheets, he winced at the pain in his ribs then let out a long, satisfied sigh. “I was afraid we’d never have the opportunity to make love again.”

Her laugh stirred the hair on his chest. “That’s why you were worried about me, because I rock your world in bed?”

“You do that and a whole lot more.” His arms quivered as he pressed her closer, damp skin rubbing in a way that made him want to start all over again. “I love you, Grace.”

“I love you, too.” She was quiet for a long moment, her fingers running up and down his back. “Have you forgiven me?”

Some of the afterglow faded. “I told you not to go back to your apartment alone. Even though I was in a drug-induced stupor, I remember being pretty clear about that. You didn’t listen.”

“I usually don’t. I make my own decisions—sometimes stupid ones. I’m never going to be a
yes, dear
type of woman.”

His hand cupped her chin, turning her face so he could look into troubled eyes. “I wouldn’t expect you to change, but would it kill you to take what I say into consideration before you act?”

“It almost killed me that I didn’t.” She frowned. “That may be a bit melodramatic. As much as he wanted to exact some sort of justice for his brother, I don’t think Mason Rogers would ever have been able to hurt me. He kills from a distance, and I made sure we connected on a personal level during those hours he held me captive.”

“I’m just glad your theory wasn’t tested. The man’s unstable. Who knows what he would have done.”

“True. I should have listened to you. I should have done a lot of things differently, starting with not betraying your trust in me.” She stroked his cheek. “From now on, I’ll be completely upfront. I won’t hold back the truth, even if I think it’ll result in an argument.”

“More than likely I’ll give you one.”

“I know.”

He kissed her. “I do forgive you, and I have every confidence we can work out our problems.” He sighed. “McNally called while you were in the shower. I need to go home in the morning. Can you come with me?”

Her eyes darkened. “Not right now. Hank will expect a full story—a firsthand account of my kidnapping at the hands of a professional assassin. They may even put it on the front page.”

“So I go back to Seattle and you stay here. Then what?” He stroked her hair, his heart aching.

“We visit each other. Long weekends and joint vacations.”

“That isn’t enough.”

She pulled back. “I don’t know what you want me to say. I love you, but I have a life here. I can’t just toss everything I’ve built aside. I don’t notice you offering to give up your career to move to San Francisco.”

Was he expecting too much? Could their love survive with only an occasional weekend together? He feared he knew the answer to that question, and it ate at his soul.

“We’ll work it out.”

“Of course we will.”

She sounded as discouraged as he felt. Pulling her back into his arms, he kissed her again. “Until then, we have tonight.”

“You’re sure you want to do this?”

Grace nodded and smiled despite her boss’s—make that ex-boss’s—scowl. “Never been surer about anything. Freelancing stories is the way I need to go. I’ll be in touch the next time something big breaks.”

“I expect first dibs on all the good stuff. You may be a pain in my ass, but you’re a top-rate reporter.” His gravelly voice deepened. “I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll miss you, too. See you around, Hank.”

Grace stopped by Dottie’s desk to give her a hug, said a few more good-byes to colleagues then gathered her box of personal items and left the building. It had been a hell of a run working her way up from cub reporter to the number one choice to cover important stories. Not that her career was over. Change wasn’t the end—just the opposite. This move would be the beginning of a whole new life.

She couldn’t wait to see Travis, to tell him in person. This wasn’t the sort of news one broke over the phone. Smiling, she skipped a few steps through the parking garage and laughed out loud. The expression on his face would be priceless.

She hummed to classic rock on the radio and tapped her fingers during the drive home, lips tilting in a smile for no reason at all. Cruising past her building, she slammed on the brakes and whipped into a vacant parking spot. Must be her lucky day because that
never
happened.

After collecting her mail, she ran upstairs, greeted Wylie then packed enough clothes for a week. If she stayed in Seattle longer, she’d do a load of laundry. With a satisfying zip, she closed the suitcase, changed into running clothes then grabbed the leash.

“Let’s go, baby. This walk will have to hold you for a while, not that Lark won’t take good care of you while I’m gone. I’d bring you to Seattle with me, but Killer might live up to his name. I need to make a pact with Travis’s cat if we’re all going to cohabitate.”

She couldn’t wait. The last month had been exhausting. Even without the pressure of trying to maintain a long distance relationship with Travis, she’d spent hours at the courthouse covering Estrada’s trial. When the jury had handed down a guilty verdict, she’d actually jumped out of her seat and cheered. Then there was the affidavit she’d had to submit for Mason Roger’s arraignment hearing. The judge had agreed he was an extreme flight risk and had set his bail at a staggering amount. For now, the man who’d made her life a living hell wouldn’t be going anywhere. Who knew what would happen to him in the long run. At least there was
some
good news. The mole Estrada had planted in the FBI had been uncovered. Fritz had also confirmed Casey was settled into the Witness Protection Program and was doing well. She grinned. Travis’s buddy hadn’t been stupid enough to drop any hints as to his exact location.

Running through the park pumped up her energy level another notch. Being free to come and go as she pleased without fear someone was watching hadn’t gotten old yet. Each time she stepped out the door, her spirits lifted. Turning, she headed for home. Lark should be there shortly.

After a quick shower, Grace was debating over shirts when a knock sounded on the door.

“Coming.” Grabbing a bright red sleeveless blouse, she buttoned it as she hurried through the entry.

Her niece stood in the hallway wearing bright yellow shorts, a striped top and a smile. “Hi, Aunt Grace. You look hot.”

“Good. I want to knock Travis back on his heels.” She hugged the girl. “Thanks for coming to pick up Wylie.”

“Are you kidding? I was thrilled to do it.” She stepped into the apartment and squatted to pet the dog. “I would probably have been thirty before my mom let me drive into the city alone if you hadn’t asked. You should have heard all the moaning and groaning and advice. Finally Kane told her to relax, that I was a good driver and she had to trust me to drive outside Vine Haven sometime.”

“Good for Kane. How’d it go?”

“I was a little nervous, but I made it without putting any dents in the car. Then I found a spot to park right behind you.”

“Wow, the stars really are aligned in my favor.” She shut the door and headed to the kitchen.

Lark followed. “Anyway, I’m just glad I could do something helpful for you after what you did for me.”

Grace paused with a bag of kibble in her arms then lowered it into a box alongside an assortment of dog toys and bowls. “Huh?”

“I overheard Kane talking to Mom about how that freak threatened to come after me if you didn’t go with him.”

“I asked him not to tell her. I didn’t want her to worry. Anyway, you weren’t the only one he threatened to hurt, and the chances he would have followed through are slim.”

“They don’t keep secrets from each other.” She shuffled her sandal clad feet. “Even if it was a bluff, thanks for looking out for me. You really are the best aunt ever.”

“You know I’d do anything for you or your sisters. Besides, it was my fault you were on Mason Rogers’s radar in the first place.”

Lark grinned. “Just a heads up—my mom is even more grateful than I am, so if you need a favor…”

Laughing, Grace set the box in the entry. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Are you really going to move to Seattle?”

“I really am, but you can come visit me whenever you want.”

“Are you and Travis getting married?”

“He hasn’t asked.”

Her niece picked the leash up off the counter and snapped it onto Wylie’s collar. “He will. Any idiot can see he’s crazy about you.” She strolled toward the door. “By the way, I wouldn’t turn down a chance to be a bridesmaid—unless it involves wearing a really ugly, puffy dress.”

“Would I do that to you?”

“I guess not. You have too much style.”

“Darn straight.” Grace picked up the box full of dog paraphernalia then pushed open the door. “Let’s get you back on the road. I have a plane to catch.”

* * * *

Travis spun the leather desk chair then walked to the window of his new office. The top of the Transamerica Pyramid was just visible through the fog along with glimpses of the bay. He grinned. Not so very different from Barnett Security and Investigations, Inc.’s home office, except this location had something even better than the view.