Explosive Attraction - By Lena Diaz Page 0,32

it out. You’ve been friends since grade school. You can’t just throw it all—”

“Don’t. Just don’t.”

Nick looked as if he was about to argue, but the doorbell rang, probably Kitty with the car.

Rafe shoved away from the counter. He tossed his truck keys to his brother. “Thanks for the loaner. I’ll get it back to you in a few days.”

He started toward the family room, but Nick grabbed his shoulder and turned him around.

Expecting another lecture, Rafe crossed his arms and waited.

Nick shook his head, clearly exasperated. “All right. I’ll let it go, for now. Forget about Jake. Forget about everything except keeping your witness safe, and keeping yourself safe. I’m going back to the Keys, back undercover. But if you need me, if you need anything, call. I’ll give you my burn phone number. I mean it. I’ll hop on the next plane and be here in a few hours, no matter what.”

The two brothers slapped each other on the back in what their sisters would mockingly call a man-hug.

The sound of feminine voices echoed in the foyer.

Nick grinned. “Sounds like Darby and Kitty are getting acquainted. Kitty’s almost as hot as your Darby. Come on, I’ll introduce you.”

* * *

“THERE SHE IS.” Darby pointed out Mindy’s royal-blue Corolla, parked at the edge of the Aqua East Surf Shop parking lot, just off A1A.

Rafe parked the silver Dodge Charger alongside Mindy’s car, but he made Darby wait in the Charger while he got into the Corolla to talk to Mindy.

Darby hated waiting, worried Rafe might intimidate her young assistant, who was easily agitated and too prone to worrying. In spite of Darby’s arguments, Rafe had insisted on speaking privately to Mindy about the suspicious package that had started this nightmare. He thought Mindy would speak more freely without her boss around. He was probably right. Mindy probably felt guilty about not being more careful about the package, since it obviously didn’t come through the mail. She might not want to admit the truth in front of Darby.

As an administrative assistant, Mindy wasn’t the best choice—not at first anyway. She’d certainly proven her abilities later. But when Darby had interviewed her for the job, Mindy had been preoccupied, unable to answer some basic questions, and really didn’t have the experience Darby had hoped for. But she was a recently divorced single mom with three kids to feed. Darby had given her the job and paid her an outrageous salary. The price had been worth it to see Mindy regain her self-respect, and to know that her children wouldn’t go hungry.

After Rafe got out of Mindy’s car and transferred Darby’s things to the Charger, he grudgingly allowed Darby to sit with Mindy while he stood guard, his gaze darting around the parking lot as if he fully expected trouble.

Darby tried not to dwell on the reasons for his vigilance. She reached across the middle console and gave Mindy a fierce hug. “Don’t worry about work. Stay at home with your kids, take a vacation, on me. Take the money out of the office account.”

Mindy’s eyes widened in surprise. “A vacation? I can’t do that, not when your life is in danger. Oh, my gosh, Darby. When the police called me from the hospital...and later, when I read the paper—the boat crash...” She shuddered. “I couldn’t believe it. Are you really okay?” She sat back, her gaze sweeping up and down Darby. “Detective Morgan said you were stabbed!”

She shook her head and forced a smile. “It was just a scratch. I’m fine, really.”

Rafe knocked on the driver’s side window and motioned for Darby to get out.

She hugged Mindy again. “I’ve got to go. Remember, cancel those appointments. I’ll take care of the referrals. Then go on a vacation. And stop worrying.”

“I’ll try.” Mindy wiped a tear from under her eye. “Thanks.”

Darby got out of the car and hurried over to Rafe. He held the passenger door open for her.

Mindy cranked her window down, apparently not yet ready to say goodbye. “I almost forgot.” She held out a lime-green beach bag with bright pink and blue hibiscus flowers stamped on the rattan. She handed it to Rafe through the window and he handed it to Darby.

“You left your purse at the office,” Mindy explained, “when you...well, when you went across the street to the warehouse. Anyway, your purse is in there, and the mail from your house and the office. Plus, your datebook. I think that’s the last of what you wanted.”

Darby set