B008DKAYYQ EBOK (34 page)

“From what?”

“From what she was. What I knew.” He lowered his chin so he could see her face more clearly. She was listening intently, and he brushed hair out of her eyes, amused that her gaze flickered, as if the tender gesture surprised her. “She managed to be different for a while,” he said. “It looked like she was going to turn her life around. She seemed to love that baby more than anything. My expectations were way too high.”

“Did you equate her with your mother?”

“In a way. Mostly, I wanted her to prove that there are women in the world who aren’t like my mother … or my wife.”

Bailey sat up faster than what seemed possible. “Wife?”

“Ex-wife,” he amended. Then grinned. “Wow. That was unexpected.”

She narrowed her eyes, not amused. “What?”

“How furious you just looked. Like you’d take her out and gut her to get her out of your way.”

“Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of how I might gut you if you turned out to be married.”

He reared up and kissed her, but she pushed him back. “I want to hear more about your wife.”

“
Ex
-wife.”
 

“That doesn’t change my desire to know about her. Or perhaps kick her butt for hurting you. Where is she?”

“Last I heard, she lived in San Diego. We don’t keep in touch.”

“How long ago were you divorced?”

“Four years.”

“Why did you break up?”

“She had an abortion without telling me first.”

Bailey was still, not even breathing, as she added everything up. “Oh.”
 

The sorrow in her eyes made him glance away, and when he spoke again, his voice was gruff. It amazed him how much it still hurt. “I made the mistake of crying on Daniel’s shoulder about it. And he turned around and used it to keep me away from you.”

“I don’t understand why he felt he had to do that.”

“He was afraid I’d find out the truth about what he did to you and rat him out to our friends.”

“He worried for nothing. I never told anyone except A.J.”

“I’d like to think that you would have told me eventually,” he said.

“I’m sure I would have.”
 

To his relief, she wriggled back into his arms, dropping a light kiss on his chest. “Your ex-wife was a fool. She didn’t deserve you. And I’m sorry for what she did. The world should be populated with hundreds of little Coles.”

Smiling, he rolled her under him, burying his hands in her hair. “That sounds like an awfully worthy goal for us.”

Pain clouded her features, and he knew she was thinking of what would happen if witness protection entered the picture. Before she could respond, his cell phone rang, and they both flinched.

Cole snagged it from the bedside table. “Cole Goodman.”

“Mr. Goodman, this is Keisha Starr with Senator Waters’ office.”

“Yes, hello.” They’d spoken several times when he’d arranged interviews with the senator for news stories.
 

“I’m calling because Senator Waters has an important announcement to make, and he’d like to meet with you this afternoon if you’re available.”

Cole glanced at Bailey, who watched him curiously. “Uh, can you be more specific?”

“The Florida attorney general is filing insider-trading charges against the senator in the morning.”

“I see.” He shifted away from Bailey to sit on the side of the bed, where he checked his watch. “What time would he like to meet?”

“How would four o’clock work for you?”

He hesitated, his gaze fastened on Bailey, who was sitting up next to him, the sheet clasped over her bare breasts. He didn’t like the idea of leaving her alone. “Is the senator asking for me specifically or can he meet with another
Sun
reporter?” Cole asked.
 

“The senator asked to speak to you exclusively. He felt the story you wrote about him last week was fair and objective. This is going to be a big story, Mr. Goodman. Senator Waters wants to make sure his side is reported responsibly, with no expectations of special treatment, of course.”

“I’ll see what I can arrange and get back to you.” He clicked off the call.

“What’s going on?” Bailey asked.
 

“Attorney general’s going to file insider-trading charges against Senator Waters.”

“Holy cow. And the senator wants you to break the story. You have to go.”

He shook his head. “Someone else can do it.”

“Cole, you have to go. This is a huge deal.”

“You’re more important.”

“And I’ll be fine here by myself. There are federal agents right outside.”

He cupped her face in his hands, kissed her. “I’m not leaving you here alone.”

She circled his wrists with her fingers. “It’ll be for, what, a couple of hours? Come on.” She smiled. “I could use the sleep.”

“You just slept until 1:15.”

“And I’m already exhausted from all the activity.” Pulling away, she got out of the bed and drew her shirt over her head. “There’s just one thing I want you to do before you go.”

He watched her as she lifted her dark blond hair out of the collar and let it fall over her shoulders. He wondered if he would ever get used to the gyrations inside his chest when he looked at her. “What’s that?” he asked.

“Please, please, please, feed me.”

Chapter 47

“You had sex.”

Bailey laughed at A.J.’s exclamation. She’d gotten up from a long nap less than ten minutes ago and called her friend on Cole’s cell phone, which he had tossed to her on his way out.
“In case you want to call A.J. and talk about me while I’m gone.”

“All I did was say hi,” Bailey said to A.J. as she rinsed a dish and set it in the wooden drainer next to the sink.
 

“I can hear it in your voice.”

“You cannot.”

“Oh, yes, I can. Are you still hiding out?”

“Yep.”

“At least you’ve been well entertained.”

“Oh, yeah.”

“It’s not nice to sound so smug, you know.”

Chuckling, Bailey washed the remaining suds down the drain and shut off the water. “Sorry. I can’t help it.”

“It’s okay. I like it that you’re smug. It’s so unlike you.”

Staring through the window above the sink, Bailey focused on a sailboat in the distance. It had a bright blue sail with a sunburst in the center. “Have you heard from your dad?”

“Just a few minutes ago, actually. Austin is having a blast.”

“Good.”

“Hmm. Austin’s having a good time, and you’re getting laid. I’m thinking hiding out’s been highly underrated.”

Bailey forced a laugh. “I suppose it depends on who you’re with. What am I missing at the paper?”

“Back up a sec. That laugh was wonky. What’s the deal?”

Damn it.
She could never get anything past A.J. “Nothing.”

“And here I thought you’d grown.”

“What do you mean?”

“See, when I ask you what’s going on, you’re supposed to say, ‘Cole is knocking my socks off, and that’s why I sound so satisfied, but then I discovered a zit in an embarrassing place and my favorite TV show just got canceled.’ That’s called confiding in your best friend. You should try it some time.”

“I confide in you all the time.”

“But I have to coax you into it. I hope Cole realizes how much work you are.”

Bailey’s defenses kicked in, and she turned her back on the window to lean against the sink. “If I’m so much work, then why do you put up with me?”

“Because I love you, you idiot.”

And like that, A.J. shot her defenses down. Bailey couldn’t speak for a moment. It hadn’t hit her until now that Cole was not the only one she might be leaving behind.

“You still there?” A.J. asked.

“Yes.” Her voice wobbled.

“Oh, hell, are you crying?”

She dashed away the tear that dropped down her cheek. “No.”

“You’re such a liar. Please tell me what the hell is going on.”

“I really can’t. I’m on a cell phone, and it might not be secure.”

“Where’s Cole?”

“He got called in on a story.”

“And he left you alone?” A.J. sounded instantly furious.

“He didn’t want to. When you hear about the story he’s chasing, you’ll see that he had to go. Besides, I’m surrounded by federal agents.”

“Surrounded, huh? Anyone look promising?”

“I’m taken,” she said, smiling again. “Remember?”

“Not for you. For me. I’m
not
taken, remember?”

“I’ll check them out for you. Any requests?”

“A pulse would be nice.”

Bailey laughed. “Lowering your standards, are you?”

“I have no standards. I just want to be as lucky as you.”

She closed her eyes, hoping she could keep her voice steady. “Yes, I’ve been incredibly lucky.”

“Well, you don’t have to sound so sad about it.”

Before Bailey could respond, a knock at the front door cut her off. “Hang on, someone’s at the door.”

“Is it safe for you to answer it?” A.J. asked.

Bailey stopped a few paces from the entryway. A.J. had a good point.
 

She was debating going to the front window to peer outside when whoever was on the front porch slid a key into the lock and turned it.

“Bailey?” A.J. asked. “Who is it?”

The door started to open, and Bailey watched, unable to move, unable to speak.
 

“Bailey!”

She started at her friend’s sharp tone. “It’s okay. I’m here.”

“Tell me where you are right now. I’ll call the cops.”

Kathleen Quinn popped her head in and smiled. “Hi, Bailey.”

The air left her in a rush of relief. “Hi.” To A.J., she said, “Don’t be such an alarmist. It’s an FBI agent.”

The sound A.J. made was too sharp to be considered a laugh. “I have a feeling we were both peeing our pants.”

“Uh, no, I’m good and dry. But I’ll let you go so you can clean yourself up.”

A more relaxed chuckle answered her. “Thanks for checking in. Hopefully this will all be over soon so you can tell me what’s been happening.”

“I will, A.J. I promise. No coaxing necessary.”

“Yeah, right. I’ll believe that when I see it.”

After saying goodbye to her friend, Bailey set aside the cell phone and faced Kathleen. “Sorry about that.”

“No problem.” The agent wore a dark blue baseball cap, her hair tucked away except for a few red strands that escaped, black pants, white polo shirt and a light, navy jacket. It struck Bailey as odd that she was wearing a jacket when the day was so warm.

Kathleen peered over Bailey’s shoulder into the kitchen. “Is Cole here?”

“He had to go to work for a while.”

“Oh.”
 

Bailey noticed that the agent looked distinctly uncomfortable, as if she didn’t know what to do or say. “Has my brother been found yet?”
 

Kathleen met her gaze, then immediately glanced away. “I’m sure it’s just a matter of time. How long before Cole gets back?”

Bailey crossed her arms, sensing that something was up. “Cole doesn’t have to be here for you to tell me whatever it is you came here to tell me.”

Kathleen schooled her expression. “I just stopped by to see how everything was going.”

“Everything is fine. Have you gotten any leads on where James might be?”

The agent nodded toward the kitchen. “Do you mind if I make some tea?”

Bailey stepped back, gesturing for her to help herself. “It’s your safe house.”

As the woman brushed by her, Bailey glimpsed the outline of something under her jacket. A shoulder holster and a gun. That explained the outerwear despite the day’s heat.

“Do you want some?”

Bailey raised her gaze to the agent’s face. She wasn’t so intimidating without the mask of perfect makeup. In fact, she didn’t seem to be wearing any makeup at all. Dark shadows underscored brown eyes that looked faintly troubled.
 

“I’m good, thanks,” Bailey said.

Kathleen carried the red enamel tea kettle from the stove to the sink and flipped on the water.
 

Bailey leaned against the door jamb, unsure what to do or say. Kathleen was throwing off unsettling vibes.

Turning abruptly from the sink, Kathleen swore when water sloshed from the spout of the kettle and splashed onto the floor. “Damn.”

She set aside the kettle and grabbed a paper towel, but when she got down on her knees to clean it up, she paused and looked up at Bailey, obviously torn by indecision.
 

Bailey straightened from the door, her pulse tripping with alarm. “What is it?”