AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Her,” Wentworth said. “Dr. Carico has rearranged her schedule and will meet with Jason this afternoon.”
“Good,” Kelly said. “That should help get him straightened out.”
“God, I hope so,” Wentworth muttered, glancing back to his son, then meeting her gaze. “Are you warm enough?” he asked. “I told Hans not to turn on the AC back here.”
“Thanks,” Kelly said. “I’m comfortable now. Do you want your jacket?”
Wentworth smiled. “I’m fine. And I don’t want to disturb Jason. I think he’s fallen asleep.”
Kelly gazed down at the kid. His breathing was regular, although still too loud, and his body had relaxed into slumber.
“You’re right,” she whispered. “That’s probably the best thing for him.”
“Maybe not,” Wentworth said. “He has bad dreams.”
“Nightmares can’t be worse than the reality of a kidnapping,” Kelly said.
“You’d think not.”
Wentworth lapsed into silence after that cryptic statement, and Kelly leaned her head against the plush seat back. The adrenaline rush of the encounter with Adam and Caleb, plus the misery of the cold room, had drained her usual energy. She closed her eyes, feeling the easy rush of pavement beneath the limo’s eight tires. A far smoother ride than her own compact car. Like floating on air.
She woke when the limo came to a stop at the ferry landing for Collins Island. Jason remained sound asleep. And so was her arm beneath him. She wiggled her fingers. Pain shot up to her shoulder.
“Are you okay?” Wentworth asked. “You just made a horrible face.”
Well, excuse me, Mr. Billionaire. We certainly can’t have that. Apparently high-class people didn’t do anything so gauche as have pained facial expressions.
“My arm is numb. I don’t want to wake him, but I have to move him.”
“Just transfer him to your other shoulder. He might rouse for a second, but he’ll fall right back to sleep.”
“Ouch,” Kelly said as icy needles assaulted her arm.
Wentworth leaned forward and efficiently moved the kid to her right shoulder. Jason fussed for a few breaths, then eased into sleep again.
“Thanks,” Kelly said, knowing she made another face as blood rushed into her left arm.
“I should be thanking you, Officer Jenkins. I know this is an imposition for you to remain with my son like this. We’re total strangers to you.”
“It’s my job to protect and serve,” she said, trying to make a joke. And remind him that she was law enforcement no matter how unprofessional she appeared in her skimpy jogging outfit.
Wentworth didn’t crack a smile, only evaluated her with his intense dark stare. “This might be a little above and beyond your normal duty.”
“A little.” Uncomfortable under his scrutiny, she looked out the tinted windows and noted the ferry had pushed away from the dock. Wow. She was on her way to Collins Island. Imagine that. She’d always been curious about the legendary place. Most everyone in Miami was, but few ever got to see a Shangri-La reserved for that special one percent.
“I apologize if I insulted you by offering you money,” Wentworth said in a low voice. “Please forgive me.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Kelly said. “A hot shower will be more than enough reward.”
“Oh, I think we can do better than that,” he said, and smiled a lazy, somehow dangerous smile. This man was accustomed to getting his own way and doing exactly what he wanted. How nice for him.
But she didn’t want anything from him.
Wentworth gazed out at the water, apparently lost in thought.
Kelly followed his gaze and noted they already approached the island’s dock. Short trip, but they only had to cross the narrow channel known as Government Cut.
Before long they motored off the ferry and reached a pair of towering wrought iron gates with the initials “WWV” inscribed at the top in a handsome flowing script. A decorative iron barrier surrounded the estate.
As the gates swung open, Trey focused his attention on his son again. “We’re home. Let’s try not to wake him.”
