been attempted kidnappings.”
“I’ve been wondering about that, too. Maybe the contract wasn’t to kill me.”
“It’s possible. But they might have planned to kill you after kidnapping you, only they needed something from you first. Something that Nicholai obtained after the hit and run. It could also be that the contract was a way to flush your cousin out, and when he died, they needed you because he had something they wanted.” All those possibilities seem likely. “And there’s still a good chance this is tied directly to your grandfather. We can’t ignore the likelihood that the reason you were kidnapped was to get something out of him.”
The two men watch on in interest, as if I’m Bruce Wayne, and they’re hoping I’m going to reveal Batman’s true identity.
I nod at the two cops assigned to keep an eye on the two men. “Pass me that blanket.”
One of them tosses it at me. “Is it okay if I talk to her in Adam’s SUV?” I ask the two agents. “I’d rather those two don’t overhear the conversation.”
Agent Foden nods her consent. One-handedly, I place the blanket over Chloe’s shoulders and lead her to the vehicle. Once inside it, I start the engine and crank up the heat.
“I’m sorry for what happened,” Chloe says, gaze fixed on the windshield.
Huh? “What do you mean?”
She turns her gorgeous brown eyes to me. “For making you worry about my safety. For making you wonder where I’d gone. I understand if this is too difficult for you. If you want to end things with me.”
“Why would I want to end things with you?” I stroke her cheek with my thumb. It’s velvety to the touch. Like I knew it would be. “I’m in love with you, Chloe. Nothing’s going to change that. Yes, it killed me that I hadn’t realized you were missing until after you were gone. I’m supposed to protect you, but I did a crappy job.”
Her eyes search mine, and she presses her index finger against my mouth, stopping what I was going to say next. “You’re not supposed to protect me, Landon. You’re on medical leave until you’ve been cleared to work. And according to Liam, you’re on medical leave for at least two months, probably longer. So, no, you’re not supposed to be protecting me. You’re my boyfriend, not my bodyguard.”
I grunt, the sound which is best described as caveman. “I know that, but protecting you is in my job description as your boyfriend. It’s in the fine print.”
She laughs. “I must have missed that part.”
“I have no intention of ending things with you,” I say, making sure there are no doubts about that. “And what happened to you isn’t your fault. No more than it was Sarah’s fault she was killed or my fault. I understand that now.”
My hand shifts from her cheek and knots in her hair. I bring her close to my mouth. She doesn’t resist.
And then we’re kissing like I promised myself I would do once Adam and I arrived here.
Our tongues tangle, treasuring every moment we still get to enjoy as a couple. I do have questions I need to ask her, but they can wait for a few more minutes.
For now, I want to kiss the woman I love.
Eventually, we come up for air—mostly because I don’t exactly want the FBI to come looking for her and find me making out with their star witness.
“You wanted to ask me some questions?” Chloe prompts, reminding me that was one of the reasons we’re in Adam’s SUV.
“The FBI has been hunting for Nikolai ever since your grandfather’s arrest. How come they weren’t aware of this cabin, but those two men tied to the chairs were? And did they know about it before Adam and I killed him, or did they only learn about it after Nikolai’s death?”
“Eric said it was Nikolai’s lawyer who told them about the house. The lawyer is on Eric’s boss’s payroll. Nikolai didn’t realize that.”
“Which brings us back to the possibility that Eric believes you have something his boss wants.” I look at the house, where another mystery is currently hanging out with the Feds. “Tabitha—what does she have to do with any of this? Did she know your cousin and where he was hiding? Is that why she’s here?”
“I don’t think she knew Nikolai.” Chloe explains how Tabitha ended up here.
All I can say is the woman might want to quit dating for a while. She’s definitely a magnet for losers if