Page 39 of Hawk and the Cougar

“It’s not my blood,” she said, then blurted, “The police.”

“Yes, ma’am,” the officer replied.

She shook her head and looked at Hawk. “The plainclothes officers.”

“What is she talking about?” the officer demanded.

“We’re part of an investigation against Vance Reid,” Hawk said. “She was supposed to have police protection to stop this from happening.” Hawk looked at her. “Where was the car, Liz?”

“It’s the white Chevy across the street.”

Hawk and the cop turned. Hawk started toward the empty vehicle, but the cop stopped him. “Stay here.”

Hawk slipped an arm around Liz as the three of them watched the cop cross to the Chevy. He stopped on the driver’s side, then turned and murmured something into the radio clipped to his shoulder. When he leaned into the window, Hawk knew the cops were there, but not conscious. He hoped like hell they weren’t dead.

His blood went cold. How was he going to protect Liz until Reid was behind bars?

* * *

Two hours later, Liz stared at Hawk. Unlike Emma, who sat beside her at the kitchen table, Hawk stood, staring down at her with a fierce determination that made him look very much like a hawk about to swoop down on its prey. And she was the prey.

She shook her head. “I’ve said it a dozen times, I’ll say it again. You’re out of your mind.” He opened his mouth to reply, but she cut him off. “It’s late. We’re all tired.”

They had learned that the two plainclothes officers who’d been stationed outside her house had been drugged, the coffee given to them by a little old lady who’d claimed to live down the block. After the police finished questioning them, Hawk had returned with Liz and Emma to their place. And now refused to leave.

“You’ll think differently of this in the morning,” Liz said.

“It’s my fault you’re in this mess to begin with,” he said.

She softened. “That’s ridiculous. You had no control over the fact that Reid’s men showed up when you and I were talking at the university. You couldn’t know a simple conversation would turn into this.”

“Simple conversation?” Emma snorted.

Liz shot her a quelling look.

“I’ve only just found you, Liz. I have no intention of losing you,” Hawk said.

Liz jerked her gaze to him. “Hawk,” she began, then remembered her daughter. “Mr. Reid is in custody. He can’t hurt me.”

Hawk locked gazes with her. “He’s out on bail.”

Fear clenched her stomach. “You can’t know that.”

“That phone call a few minutes ago was from a friend. I know.”

“They only arrested him a few hours ago,” she whispered.

“Damn it, Liz. I see the fear in your eyes. You can’t expect me to walk away.”

She scowled. “I’m not asking you to walk away. You just can’t live in this house.”

“It’s not permanent,” Emma said.

“It’ll be months before his case goes to trial,” Liz said.

“Mom—”

“Enough, Emma,” Liz cut in. “We need to get some sleep.”