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“Fine.” She turned the corner to head back toward Henri’s stables. “But if I get shot, I’m not going to be happy.”
CHAPTERSIX
Somewhere in the back of Niko’s mind was a tiny voice of sanity. It whispered that he was allowing his festering anger at Nat’s death to cloud his thinking. It wasn’t like he was a detective. He didn’t even play one on TV. He was a businessman who didn’t know a damn thing about deciphering clues or interviewing witnesses.
On the other hand, the fact that he didn’t carry a badge meant that he didn’t have to follow any rules.
Since Nat had been discovered on her bed with her wrists cut, Niko had been haunted by the need to know what had happened. And, more importantly, who was responsible.
At last he was certain that there were people who could give him answers. Even if they didn’t know exact details, they must have information that would point him in the right direction. Why else would they be so reluctant to discuss Nat’s death? And why try to keep Henri Wagner’s presence in the neighborhood a secret?
The fact that someone had followed them with the intention of scaring them off, or even killing them, only solidified his belief they were protecting something that happened in the past. There was no way anyone would take such a risk unless they were scared what Rayne and he might reveal.
It wasn’t until they were parked behind one of the dilapidated stables to avoid being seen by anyone in the nearby house that he realized he was putting Rayne in danger.
Niko unhooked his belt and turned in his seat. “I think you should stay here while I talk to Henri.”
Rayne snorted, shutting off the engine and removing her seat belt. “Didn’t you ever watch old horror flicks?”
Niko blinked in confusion. “Excuse me?”
“It’s the person who’s left alone who always gets taken out first,” she explained.
His heart clenched at her light words. She was teasing him to ease the tension, but the mere thought of her being hurt was like salt being poured into his raw nerves.
Reaching out, he framed her face in his hands, his gaze drinking in each line and curve. “You’re not getting taken, out, Rayne,” he rasped. “I lost Nat, but I’m not going to lose you.”
“Niko.”
Her lips parted, as if inviting his kiss. Niko didn’t hesitate. Lowering his head, he brushed his mouth over hers, deliberately keeping his touch light. It was a promise of pleasure to come.
Then, straightening, he released a harsh breath. “You’re right. We started this together. We’ll finish it together.”
They exited the van, pausing at the edge of the stables to study the house. There wasn’t much to see. The curtains were all pulled tight and there wasn’t any smoke coming from the chimney. There wasn’t even a vehicle in the driveway. From a distance it appeared to be empty. Niko, however, wasn’t going to take the risk that Henri was inside, waiting for them with a gun.
“Maybe we should use the back door,” he suggested.
Rayne nodded. “Good idea.”
They circled through the paddock, hearing the soft snorts of the horses inside the stables before they approached the house from behind the garage. Cautiously, they climbed the steps that were as decrepit as those leading to the front porch. Niko reached out to grab the knob and shoved open the wooden door. Standing with his back against the side of the house, he peered through the opening.
A quick glance revealed a cramped kitchenette with one row of cabinets that were framed by a narrow fridge at one end and a stove at the other. Closer to the back door, there was a sink beneath a window that was piled with dirty dishes and countertops that were stacked with empty beer cans. And in the center of the tiled floor, Henri Wagner was staring at them with an incredulous expression.
“What the hell?”
Not willing to give the man the opportunity to react, Niko charged forward and shoved Henri against the wall.
“You should have killed me the first time, Wagner,” he growled, the adrenaline still rushing through him. It was going to be a while before he fully recovered from someone taking a shot at his head. “You won’t get a second chance.”
“Kill you?” Henri frowned. “What are you talking about? I have never seen you before today.”
Niko muttered a curse. “Do you think I won’t beat the shit out of you?”
“Why? I have no idea what you’re yammering about,” Henri complained.
Niko narrowed his gaze. “I know you followed us after we left here and shot at us. Several times.”
Henri blinked. “Are you on drugs?”
