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He smiled at the breathy hitch in her voice. “A whole lot of both, Special Agent Snow Angel.”
She swatted his chest. “I told you not to call me that.”
“Ain’t going to happen.” He intercepted her wrist when she tried to swat him again and grazed his lips along her knuckles. “It’s the perfect name for you. Now kiss me one more time because the clock is ticking.”
“Damn straight the clock is ticking.Toward the ransom deadline. You know you can’t pay it, right?”
He wrapped a finger around a wavy strand of hair on her cheek. “I like the curls.”
“Stop stalling and answer me.”
He sighed. “How can I answer you when I don’t understand what is going on? The only thing that makes sense is that people in my care are in danger, and I have to do whatever I can to stop it. My sister could have died tonight.”
“I’m sorry Julia got hurt.” Any hint of flirtation left Rosalie’s voice. “And I’m glad she’ll be okay.”
“Julia has never been okay. The one sliver of hope she has of being all right will be shot to hell if our network isn’t restored within a few days.”
“What do you mean?”
“Oh no, Snow Angel. I dragged you out here to askyouquestions, and I got my answers. Malgor wants you. Maybe if I pay, he’ll send the decryption keys, and we can resolve that part of this shitstorm.” If the network was restored, he wouldn’t have to think about, much less discuss, the repercussions of a canceled or delayed drug trial. “Then you and your colleagues can investigate while you’re under protection.”
His protection.
He may not have a badge, but he’d been trained to shoot and defend himself in a fight. He had Grady and the Colorado State Patrol in his corner, and he knew every tree, every trail, and every hidey-hole in this town and the mountains surrounding it. If Rosalie was going to battle, he could offer the hometown advantage.
Damn, that sounded crazy and stupid, not to mention cocky as hell.
She lowered her gaze as she tucked her blouse into her pants. “That sounds like a nice plan, but Malgor isn’t going to leave me alone while I investigate.”
He watched her swallow, unable to take his eyes off the graceful, vulnerable column of her throat. If Malgor held a knifethere… His fingers curled into his palms. “Didn’t you hear the part about protection?”
“Yes.” She met his gaze. “But I’ve been in a protected building in Denver for the past two years. It hasn’t stopped him from terrorizing me or anyone else in cyberspace.”
“Then you should stay in cyberspace until you catch him.”
Her jaw tensed. “For your information, I don’t sit behind a computer all day. I use my firearm and operational skills out in the wild quite frequently.”
A voice cleared behind them. “Did someone say wild? I was hoping Rosalie and I could get a drink, but I’m up for whatever kind of crazy fun she has in mind.”
Cannon turned to Easton. “What are you doing here?”
Rosalie dipped her head to Cannon’s ear. “Don’t be a fool and pay the ransom. It didn’t do him any good, and it won’t do you any either.”
She shot Easton a look. “Sorry, cowboy. No hope for drinks at all.”
Cannon watched her stalk away, her stark words ringing in his brain. “What do you want, Easton?”
“Grady sent me to look for you.”
Cannon’s heart sped up. “Is Julia all right?”
“I just left her room. She’s good.”
Cannon’s concern ebbed, but his surprise spiked. “You’ve been sitting with Julia this whole time?”
“Yeah, I was waiting for her to wake up so I could tell her how amazing she was tonight, but she’s out cold, and I have to go home and feed the horses.” Easton rocked back on the heels of his worn boots. “Anyway, Grady asked me to tell you on my way out that he’s working with local PD to beef up security and is bringing in his state trooper buddies for more muscle and firepower.”
“Good.” Cannon started for the door that led inside the hospital.
