CHAPTER 32

ISAAC

ISAAC drums his fingers on the desk in front of HIM as HE sits gazing at HIS computer. She would have drained whatever funds she had by now—she never removed any money when she left and hasn't used her bank account since.

Where is she earning money to survive on? She must have found work. She's probably to have found work in a casino, given that's all her experience. But there's hundreds of casinos distributed across the country, and she might be anywhere.

HE uses an IRS computer back door, but HIS search turns up no new employer or new information for KYOLINE DIEGO.

HE exhaleS in frustration. How else is she bringing money in? What else can she do…?

And then HE haS an idea.

HE'S not certain if HE'S found her, but HE'S driving to the town where HE has a lead. It's one of the sections of the city where there have been a string of dress burglaries from department stores and boutiques. It might be nothing, but HE feels HE has to check it out.

But if she's her, HE might just have to kill her after all the hassle she's given HIM.

Pullover in a small little sleeping town, HE scrunches HIS nose. This is not the sort of town HE'D imagine KYOLINE. There certainly aren't any casinos around here, and it doesn't have the sheen of New York.

After getting HIMSELF a coffee, HE starts talking casually while HE strolls around the town. Has there been any new person come in recently? Particularly, has anyone seen a beautiful woman with dark black hair and very appealing green eyes?

The only response HE gets is from a couple of people that there is a new woman in town who works in the pet store. HE lets out a deep sigh. That will not be KYOLINE. That is not like her at all, and HE can not imagine a pet store owner looking at someone like KYOLINE as a suitable candidate to work in his shop. He's imagining the shop has old dears visiting it to buy bows and treats for their lovely cats and dogs—and there is no chance in the world whatsoever that KYOLINE would sully her clothes by working in close proximity to animals.

However, HE decides to investigate further before abandoning this town and heading back to the drawing board.

Entering Winifred's Pet Supplies, HIS expectations about this being some sort of little old-timey store are immediately realized. The owner looks to be in her seventies, and the youngest customer looks to be at least sixty-five. The customers all have their respective pets in tow who are yapping or meowing away. It's like a fucking zoo in here.

The old lady behind the counter is wearing an extremely glamorous blue dress that just doesn't appear to be part of the pet shop. "May I help you, dear?" she inquires.

"Yeah." HE keeps a careful distance from a cat whose claws are amazingly brutal. "HE heard you just took on a new employee here—a woman who just moved to town."

"That's correct. And you are most likely her boyfriend, McKinley!"

HE has no idea what she's talking about, but this woman does not sound at all like KYOLINE. Because KYOLINE is on the run and will be too busy to worry about catching a new paramour, so HE knows HE'S out.

HE's simply going to walk out and get out of the store when HE freezes in HIS tracks as HE hears something going on in the back room. Hector, stop pawing at my dress! "And HE charges into that back room the instant HE hears KYOLINE'S voice—directly to Hector so HE can tell the asshole to take HIS filthy little paws away from her—and HE discovers KYOLINE all cozied up in a good armchair with her high-heeled feet up on a footstool, drinking tea from a fragile antique cup as a cat wraps itself up in her lap.".

And as she looks at the beast and strokes his hair, there is a bright-wattage smile on her face, and HE feels how much HE'S been missing seeing it.

"Aren't you working?" HE snarls out, irrational with anger because she sure as hell doesn't look like she's in any real trouble that would account for all the time HE'VE wasted finding her. If anything, she looks like she's much too goddamn comfortable in this new life she's built for herself.

Her face falls. "VINCENT, uh, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

HE shuts the door behind HIM. "Carmine wants you killed. You're not safe in there. I'VE come to bring you home to New York."

She shakes her head. "You've just said yourself that Carmine is pursuing me. New York is not safe for me any longer. It's safer if I remain in hiding here."

"Look, we can't discuss it here. It's too public. Tell me where you are staying, and I'LL pick you up after work."

Her lips remain obstinately shut. "Don't push me, KYOLINE. Not after the effort I'VE gone to finding you. If you don't wish ME to cause a commotion in here, then inform me where the devil you're housed."

Her eyes skip about, and HE can tell she'd prefer HIM not causing a scene with Winifred or her shop. "Fine." And she provides HIM with the address where she's housed.

HE yearns to hug her and strangle her simultaneously. Because how she managed to get four fucking states away and set up a new life in so little time is as wonderful as it's maddening.

When HE is getting close to evening time, HE drives to KYOLINE'S motel. HE knocks on the door of the motel room, and KYOLINE opens it in a huge tee and tiny cotton shorts HE can barely see. Lust burns in HIS belly, on the brink of dragging HIM into ecstasy just by gazing at her.

She invites HIM in and shuts the door. HE opens HIS mouth and ready HIMSELF for battle.

But before HE can manage to get a word out, she pushes HIM into the wall and kisses HIM roughly.

HE groans and softens against her as she fists HIS shirt in her hands, desiring HIM the way she desires HIM. And when she sucks on HIS tongue, HE knows HE'S screwed.

There's no way HE can deny her when she's so bloody hungry. And she's getting it all tonight—HE'S guaranteeing that bloody much. HE grabs her tee and pulls it off her, baring her beautiful breasts.

HE unfastens a few buttons on HIS shirt before pulling it over HIS head. KYOLINE looks at HIM before backing away and letting her little shorts fall, leaving all of her nude body exposed. "I want you," she snarls.

"Do you?"

She nods and draws HIM in by the loops in HIS jeans. She unbuttons and unzips, drawing them down. "Now, ISAAC. I need you."

"Which is it?" HE fistS her hair and kickS off HIS shoes and socks. "Do you want ME? Or do you need ME?"

"Both. I need you now," she insists.

"Already soaked?" HE askS, quirking an eyebrow, working HIS fingers between her thighs to stroke her pussy. Christ, she's more than soaked. She's fucking dripping for HIM. So wet and ready. So eager.