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Dev zigzagged through the streets, looking in the rearview mirror. After a while, he slowed, pulled into an alley behind a business and stopped. “I don’t think we have a tail.” He shifted into park and looked across at Kiana. “Are you okay?”
She shook her head. “I’m not the one who fought off four gang members. Are you okay?”
He nodded. “I’m fine, though I think I gained a few gray hairs when I heard you scream back there.”
“About that,” she gave him a narrow-eyed glare, “you said you’d be right behind me.”
His lips twisted. “I was delayed longer than I anticipated.”
She reached for his hand. “Thanks for getting there when you did.”
He grinned. “You were doing pretty well on your own.”
“I was about to be doing not so well. Your timing was impeccable.”
His brow dipped low. “I’m sorry I wasn’t right behind you. When that SUV pulled up beside you, I...” His hand tightened around hers. “This evening could’ve turned out so much worse than it did.”
“But it didn’t. I’m fine, thanks to you.”
“And my team,” he said.
She nodded. “I’m worried about your guys. Do you think they made it out all right?”
“I was wondering that myself.” He pulled out his cell phone and checked for messages. A grin spread across his face. “George sent a text. They’re okay, having a beer at Dukes with Logan. He was sorry he missed the excitement.”
Kiana snorted. “I would gladly have missed the excitement.”
“George and Rex had every intention of holding onto them until the police arrived, but their reinforcements arrived, three to two became six to two. They had to let them go. An SUV pulled up outside, and they piled in and took off as the police arrived.”
“I bet it was the same SUV that blocked our exit.” Kiana shook her head. “I wish the police could’ve arrived before they got away. I’d like to know who sent them.”
“Me, too. They seem to be a step ahead or behind our search.” He lifted Kiana’s hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to the backs of her knuckles. “I’m just glad you’re okay. I have to be better at taking care of you. That was too close.”
“For all of us.” Kiana stared at the hand he still held, the skin tingling where he’d kissed her. As much as she hated to admit it, his kisses in the ladies’ bathroom and on the back of her hand had her shaking more than being chased through a parking lot by a tattooed man with silver teeth.
She had to remind herself why she’d sworn off relationships. She couldn’t trust her judgment.
All the years in foster care should have hardened her. But there was that little girl deep inside who only wanted to love and be loved. The little girl starving for love made her vulnerable and gullible. Too eager to believe love could last forever when life had proven over and over that it didn’t.
Feeling the tempting spark at Dev’s touch and staring into his hazel eyes sent her down that slippery slope all over again.
She pulled her hand free of his. “I’d like to go to Meredith and Tish’s apartment tonight to see if we can find Meredith’s laptop. As unlikely as it might be, I feel we need to rule out Meredith uncovering a rich and evil relative in her search for the family she always wanted.”
Dev shifted into drive and pulled out of the alley onto the main road. “I don’t feel comfortable going back to the apartment, knowing they’re targeting you now. Wouldn’t it be better to send George or Rex there to look for your friend’s laptop?”
“Trust me. I don’t like being targeted, either,” she said. “I just feel like I need another, slower look at Meredith’s things. I know her. Your friends don’t. I could notice something out of place that they would completely overlook.”
Dev nodded. “True. But I have the feeling whoever attacked you tonight will be watching the apartment for Meredith’s return. Or they’ll be looking for someone who might know where to find Meredith.”
“Then we’ll have to sneak into the apartment, look around and get out before we’re discovered,” she said as brightly as she could when she was still shaking inside at the near-death experiences of the day.
Dev shot a glance her way. “I still don’t feel good about taking you back there.”
She dipped her head. “Duly noted. However, if you don’t take me, I’ll get there on my own. I’m going back to the apartment, with or without you.”
For a long moment, Dev remained silent.
Kiana would go back to the apartment alone if she had to. But she’d rather have Dev go with her.
