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Cash flashed a grin even knowing his boss couldn’t see it. “Sex is never out of the question, but no, my plan does not involve sleeping with Larissa Day.” At this moment. Everything was subject to change. Riss struck a chord in him that Alicia never had. He felt the tug of desire for her the moment she opened her eyes and looked up at him.
“I promised her I would get her in the morning and bring her here to see Alicia’s things. I plan on asking her about the bible. I’m pretty sure she has no clue. If I’m right, then I’m gonna put her on the first plane back to New York and tell her not to respond if she gets any more notes.”
“Do you think she’ll listen?”
Cash sighed. “I have no idea, but I don’t have time to look after her with the meeting happening in three days. I still have security protocols to review. If the bible turns up, then great. Otherwise, I think we let it go.”
“That’s not your call,” Archer pointed out bluntly.
Cash reined in his exasperation. Archer was still his boss. “No, it’s not. But I’m on the ground here, and I’m not seeing much benefit in flogging a dead horse.” Cash was beyond fed up with the whole bible nonsense.
“Be very careful with your tone,” Archer’s voice had gotten icier.
Cash decided it was now or never to ask some questions. “Why is the bible so damned important?”
“That’s not your business. Your job is to make sure the meeting is secure and to do my bidding. Find the book before the meeting. If you can’t then make sure you’ve left no stone unturned.”
Cash opened his mouth to comment but the line was dead. He put the phone face down on the desk. It was going on one a.m., and he needed some sleep, but he didn’t move. What he’d told Archer was the truth. There had been no emotion between him and Alicia. It wasn’t in her nature to actually care about anyone but herself. Riss was different. He knew it like he knew the sun would rise tomorrow. He didn’t have to know her well to know that she cared. Cared about people in an entirely different way than her sister. And he was afraid her caring was going to get her hurt or worse. He needed her to get on an airplane and the hell out of his life otherwise there was no telling what might happen.
* * *
Cash walked into the lobby of Riss’s hotel and looked around. She wasn’t waiting anywhere. He stuck his head in the bar area but she wasn’t there either. He went to the counter and asked for them to call up to her room for him. The young guy behind reception nodded and placed the call. Cash watched him dial and immediately determined that Riss was in room two thirty-four.
“I’m sorry, sir, but she is not answering,” the young man said, his blond ponytail bobbing behind him.
“That’s fine. I’ll just use my key.” He held up the room key as he spoke. “Thank you.”
The young man nodded again. Cash turned and took the marble stairs two at a time. The fact that Riss hadn’t answered the call tied a knot in his stomach. What if she’d gotten another note and then went out to meet someone? He hoped she wasn’t that stupid, but he wouldn’t put it past her. She was desperate for knowledge about her family. She’d do anything for that which someone seemed to know and be exploiting already.
As he approached her door and was about to knock, there was a thump from inside. He drew his gun from underneath his leather jacket and used the key to enter her room. He walked in, gun drawn to find Riss in a towel picking up a heavy bag off the floor.
She whirled around and let out a small scream. “What the hell are you doing?” she demanded.
He couldn’t stop the smile from blooming across his face. She was struggling with the towel which was yards too big for her to wrap around herself. Her long blond curls hung down her back and her big violet eyes were already snapping at him.
He cocked his head and kept his eyes trained on her face, despite the temptation to look her over. He explained, “I heard a thump.”
“So you just thought you’d barge right in? Whatever happened to knocking? And how did you get in?” she demanded while she tried to tuck the end of the towel between her breasts so it wouldn’t fall off.
Cash tucked his gun back under his jacket at the small of his back. Then he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall. “I had your key from your purse.”
“What?” she shrieked almost dropping the towel. “Why didn’t you give it back?”
“I thought it might come in handy.” The urge to look defeated his resolve, and he let his gaze roam slowly over her body. “And it has.”
A blush bloomed across her cheeks. “There’s the door. Leave,” she said as she pointed behind him.
“I thought you wanted to see Alicia’s stuff? We agreed on ten a.m. It’s ten-oh-five. You’re late.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “I do want to see her stuff, but you can wait for me downstairs.”
He smiled. “Now why would I want to do that when this is so much more fun.”
“Seriously? You need to leave,” she huffed. “The longer you stand here the longer it will take me to get ready.”
“That’s okay. I have all the time in the world.” He didn’t, but he was enjoying this way too much to give in so easily.
“Cash, please. I need to get dressed.”
