Betrayal: Secrets, Lies, and Deception, #2

By Katherine Hawthorne

The steamy conclusion in the Secrets, Lies, & Deception Duet!

For Katherine Collins, finding justice ended with heartbreaking consequences. Resigning from the BCI, she flees to New York City, determined to pick up the pieces. But the past refuses to stay buried. When the scandal surrounding her life publicly explodes on the heels of a horrifying murder, Kat becomes entangled in a decades-old conspiracy that has chilling similarities to the present.

Crucified by the media, Stephen Chandler is on the brink of losing everything. His family was torn apart, his political ambitions destroyed and what's left of his career is hanging by a thread. With his life in ruins, Stephen knows he should let Kat go. Instead, he's determined to fix his biggest regret, leaving her in another man's arms.

With Kat by his side, Ethan O'Rourke is on top of the world. But while he announces his candidacy for District Attorney, his greatest adversary threatens to destroy everything Ethan desires.

One man is accused of murder. The other is hiding deadly secrets. Caught in a war between the two, Kat's loyalties are torn as she's forced to confront a horrible truth. A truth that ends in betrayal.

Authors Note: Betrayal is the second book in the Secrets, Lies, and Deception Duet. Deception should be read first. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: New York Publishing House Inc
• Release date: May 26, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393324430

Katherine Hawthorne

Katherine Hawthorne loves sexy alpha males and books that come with warnings, which is exactly what she writes. Throwing out the last vestiges of her oh-so-proper Ivy League education, she traded tedious academic writing, combined her favorite genres, and found her greatest joy in writing romantic suspense. When Katherine isn’t writing, you can find her racing down the ski slopes in the winter and relaxing on the beach in the summer, most likely lost in a book. Married with four children, three of which still live at home, life is a never-ending crazy thrill ride, one she quite happily embraces.

Book preview

Prologue

It was hot as hell.

Appropriately so, Stephen Chandler thought as he imagined an inferno rising from the outer ring of Dante’s seventh circle, consuming the mahogany casket as it was lowered six feet into the ground. Sweat dripped down the back of his neck, continuing through the collar of the white shirt he wore under his black suit. The sun was relentless, his dark glasses barely easing the glare as it reflected off the gleaming brass fixtures. Breathing was nearly impossible, made further difficult from the eyes he swore were burning a hole in the middle of his back.

Resisting the temptation to turn around, Stephen kept his gaze focused on the casket until it disappeared from view. Not until the first pile of dirt was shoveled onto the surface did he let out a long exhale.

Maybe now that the bastard was dead, they could all move on.

Stephen winced as the thought passed through his mind, knowing he should feel...something. Shame? Guilt? Grief? Yet, he felt nothing. 

Literally.

Nothing as the casket was covered with dirt. Nothing as the minister delivered his final words. No warm memories of the respect and admiration he’d once felt for the Honorable William Chandler Sr. as he was laid to rest.

Because honorable, the man was not.

A slight breeze ruffled Stephen’s hair from behind, bringing with it a scent that reminded him of Kat. Again, he resisted the overwhelming temptation to turn and find her so he could take her away from this hell.

Was she seeking closure? Was she feeling vindicated? Relieved that the man who had destroyed her life was no longer a threat? Finally burying the nightmare of her past so she could move forward?

A nightmare caused by his family.

Or more specifically, by the man being covered with dirt after suffering for two excruciatingly long weeks. Stephen closed his eyes, drawing in another deep breath before letting it out slowly. Fighting to push away the rage that threatened to consume him. His constant companion, it seemed, when the numbness began to fade.

And then there were the impossible emotions in figuring out how I was supposed to grieve. If I grieved my mother, was I supposed to hate my father for taking her life? Or if I grieved my father, was I being disloyal to my mother?

Kat’s words. Two weeks ago, when she’d poured out her heart and soul, hours before they’d learned the truth. Glancing over to his left when his mother squeezed his arm, he took another deep breath. Her dark sunglasses masked any emotion he might have read on her face. Was she numb too? More likely she was just as enraged as Stephen, forced to stand next to her husband, his father, who she’d kicked out of the house two weeks ago. On his left stood his older brother Xavier, his face a mask of stone. Jay and Emily, his two youngest siblings, looked shell-shocked, much the same way they had two weeks ago, when their charmed life had exploded into a nightmare.

And Luke, his closest sibling. Missing. None of them had heard from him since that horrific night. He’d refused to answer their calls, their texts.

Stephen forced himself to keep his hands from balling into fists, aware of the cameras they’d failed to keep away. Under the circumstances, the entire family had agreed to avoid the pomp and circumstance. Instead, hoping for a quiet ceremony that wouldn’t be aired across the state. They’d been unsuccessful.

And when the rest of the story got out?

The sense of dread that was becoming more and more familiar came over him, the same dread he woke up with every morning if he had managed to fall asleep the night before. He couldn’t imagine living through the fallout. The ruination of his reputation along with his dreams for the future. Everything he’d worked so hard to achieve. Because despite his own innocence, Stephen had no doubt he’d be crucified by the press. They’d speculate whether he was involved. Speculate whether he’d known, if he’d kept silent about the murders.  

Two counts of murder.

Attempted murder of a third.

Words that couldn’t possibly describe the heinous acts his grandfather had committed. Couldn’t begin to describe the horror Stephen had witnessed.

The haunting images burned, quite literally, into his head, no matter how hard he tried to shake them away. Bad enough they haunted his nights, replaying in an endless loop without end. He couldn’t imagine what they were doing to the woman standing somewhere behind him. He longed to turn around, catch a glimpse of her, if even from afar. Was she alone? Or was Ethan at her side, his hand on the small of her back?

God, he hated that man. Her fucking hero.

I’m yours!

Kat’s words again, screamed that fateful day when Stephen had learned the true extent of their relationship. Then her terror, just hours later as she’d looked at Stephen and had seen a killer.

His mother squeezed his arm again, gently pulling him from his thoughts. Stephen looked down at her, realized everyone was leaving, the service over. Thank God. He’d felt like a hypocrite for coming. Had only relented at his mother’s request. A show of solidarity.

A lie.

Stephen glanced at his father, their eyes meeting for a moment, guilt warring with anger and disillusionment for the man who had raised him. The man who had taught him right from wrong, who had held his children to a high ethical standard then had turned around, had an affair, and withheld evidence in a murder investigation.

I will blame you for tonight until the day I die.

The last words he’d spoken to his father. The same night he’d lost Kat, fear of what would come out of his mouth keeping him silent. Stephen looked away, glancing at the rest of his family before he turned and scanned the crowd. Still no sign of Luke. And though he searched for Kat, he couldn’t find her either.

She was already gone.

Chapter One

––––––––

Four weeks later.

So help him, he was going to kill her!

Get him out! Stephen roared, punching the steering wheel as he fought his way through the clutsterfuck that was Manhattan traffic. Behind him a siren blared, his already pounding heart nearly exploding with the sound. Traffic stopped, coming to a complete standstill while sweat trickled down his face, the heat of the city too much for the air-conditioning in his thirty-year-old Porsche.

We’re doing everything we can, sir.

The words, patiently uttered, had him seeing red, the control he’d managed to hold onto during his interviews earlier in the day evaporating. Did they not understand the seriousness of the situation? Rage blasted through him as he punched the accelerator, his tires squealing as traffic finally moved, the car’s rear end fishtailing slightly before he managed to regain control.

Everything you can? he repeated, barely managing to reign in his temper, desperately striving for patience. He lost the battle. He’ll be killed within hours! And that’s if he’s not already dead!

And God help the woman who’d brought this down on their heads. Because sure as shit, he wouldn’t be showing her any mercy. Unbelievable that she’d do something so cold and calculating. To think he’d touched her, slept with her...

And now Luke’s life was in jeopardy. Six long, screwed up weeks since he’d seen him. Learning Luke had gone back to work, had gone undercover, scared him shitless. Luke’s head wasn’t on straight, intensifying an already dangerous situation.

Jesus, his life was a fucking mess, a downward spiral that seemed to have no end. Luke missing, putting his life in jeopardy. His parents were battling, his siblings had left the state as they tried to cope with the new reality that their grandfather was a murderer. Countless interviews with the Attorney General’s office that felt a hell of a lot more like interrogations, making it increasingly difficult to hold his head up when he walked into his office, especially since he’d been forced to hire his own attorney.

And he could only imagine the field day the press would have with that.

Assistant District Attorney Stephen Chandler Lawyers Up!

Three Generations of Criminals?

The Untold Chandler Conspiracy!

So much for innocent until proven guilty.

Slamming on his brakes, Stephen barely avoided crashing into the yellow cab in front of him, ignoring the man’s finger as he thrust it out the window, the incessant honking and sirens adding fire to the rage that was quickly spiraling out of control.

Mr. Chandler. Different voice, authoritative tone. Finally, he was getting somewhere, at least with the damned phone call. Holy hell, how long could it possibly take to drive two blocks?

This is Captain Alessandro. We are currently working on a strategy to extract Agent Chandler—

Working on a strategy? Stephen exploded, his hands shaking as he gripped the steering wheel, cranking it hard to the right when he noticed an empty parking spot. Do you not understand—

"Mr. Chandler, you will listen to me or I will disconnect this call. Do you understand me? The man’s commanding voice whipped through the car, irritation evident in every clipped word. As it is, you have interrupted the very meeting where we are working on contacting your brother."

Horns blared, tires screeching as he whipped into the spot, cursing under his breath when he saw the fire hydrant. Not that it would help, but he shoved his official tag from the DA’s office five counties away onto the dashboard and rushed out of the car, racing down the street on foot, losing precious seconds while he turned off his Bluetooth.

While I’m waiting for a response, you are wasting our time. Cold, still clipped.

I’m listening. At nearly midnight, foot-traffic was still thick. Stephen struggled to keep his control, the phone pressed to his ear.

As I’m sure you’re aware, this situation must be handled delicately for the safety of all our agents working undercover. We cannot go in with guns blazing, putting innocent people at risk, Captain Alessandro continued. As I tried to relay a moment ago, we are working to get your brother out safely. We are aware of the threat to his identity and will do everything in our power to make sure he’s safe. I will keep you updated on the situation as it progresses and will call you when we have answers. Until then, please refrain from harassing our offices.

Thank you. Somehow, Stephen managed to sound sincere, though Alessandro’s statement did nothing to relieve the pressure in his chest or the fear clawing at his insides.

Please call me when you’ve got him. Stephen stabbed the red button on his phone, disconnecting the call that hadn’t yielded any information.

One more block. Foot traffic eased as Stephen all but ran toward his brother’s apartment. At least he hoped it was Luke’s. It was the only address he’d found when he’d ransacked Luke’s house upstate.

His skin prickled as he neared, the hair at the back of his neck standing on end as he looked up at the apartment building that had seen better days. The outside door was unlocked, opening to a filthy foyer that smelled of desperation under the overwhelming odor of pot. The ceiling light flickered, casting a flashing glow on the chipped linoleum floor that didn’t look like it’d been cleaned in years. Or ever. He’d known Luke’s living conditions wouldn’t be lavish, but he hadn’t truly been prepared for the despair and hopelessness that seemed to cling to the walls, the filth that littered the floor.

Removing his gun from the small of his back, he slowly made his way toward the stairs, staying as silent as possible as he headed up to the third floor. Second guessing his impulsive decision, wishing he’d at least called Xavier.

Apartment 314 was at the end of the hall. Rap music warred with a screaming baby and a couple fighting, the smell of marijuana growing stronger as he crept down the hallway toward Luke’s, wondering how the hell his brother could live like this, even for his job. Fear for him increased as Stephen’s heartrate accelerated, the sight of the slightly open door doubling that fear.

Raising his gun, he kept it close to his chest, pointed up, feeling like a poor imitation of a television cop. He was way over his head, taking risks he shouldn’t be taking. Nudging the door open with his foot, he took cover behind the door jamb as sweat once again trickled down his face. Waiting a few heartbeats, he entered the apartment, gun first.

And nearly fell to his knees in despair.

God, no. Bile lodged in his throat, the sickly metallic scent of blood flooding his nostrils, choking him, his head spinning in denial as he fell back a step, nearly tripping in his haste. Bound to a chair in the center of the living room, the man’s entire body was covered in blood, pooling in a puddle at his feet, his head resting on his chest, obscuring his face.

Black hair.

Strong body.

Luke.

The name roared through his head as he lowered the gun, the hot sting of tears burning his eyes as he took a step forward, only to freeze at the unmistakable sound of a gun being cocked.

Stephen’s thoughts raced even as he felt the gun press into the back of his head, never removing his eyes from the mass of black hair before him, longer than the last time he’d seen Luke. He held his breath, fear for his own life coming full force.

Although he was decent with a weapon, he had no doubt the man who held the gun to his head was a hell of a lot faster. But it didn’t matter. If he raised his weapon, no doubt he’d be dead before it hit the floor. Forming a half-assed plan, Stephen raised his hands as if in surrender, keeping his finger on the trigger.

Police! Drop your weapon!

Stephen dropped, slipping in the blood that covered the floor.

Chapter Two

Happy Birthday!

Kat raised her glass, clinking it together with the rest of her party, laughing as she repeated the words loud enough to be heard over the music, toasting Jen before swallowing the shot. Too sweet.

But that didn’t stop her from taking another one.

Let’s dance, Jen said, popping off her stool, grabbing Kat with one hand, Kristine’s with the other. Kat followed them, losing herself in the beat of the music, reveling in being in the hottest dance club in Manhattan with a group of friends, alcohol flowing freely, awesome music, and just being alive.

She raised her arms above her head, matching Jen’s movements, knowing it was hiking her short dress up even further. She’d lost count of how many drinks she’d had, but she had to admit she was feeling pretty good. Not only was it Jen’s birthday, Kat was celebrating her official resignation from the New York State Police Department.

She had taken that doctoral spot she’d been offered at Columbia University. Because as for the world of academia, it was where she belonged, where she fit, though she had tried to deny it after her parents’ murders. Her father had been a professor...

Not tonight, she told herself. Because tonight, for one night, she was part of the New York scene, just another twenty-something out for some fun. Tonight, she was young, full of life, and she was going to enjoy it.

Even if it killed her.

She was moving forward. She had survived.

Now she just had to survive the upcoming week. She’d promised Ethan, couldn’t back out. Besides, she desperately wanted to fix the tension that had grown between them. The tension that had become increasingly worse since she’d run from his house. They’d barely spoken since. And tonight...he’d promised he’d be here, yet was nowhere to be found. Wasn’t answering his phone, wasn’t responding to her texts.

I need another drink!

That from Jen. Kat wholeheartedly agreed, following her off the dance floor for another drink she didn’t need, but desperately wanted. They were a party of six tonight, Jen’s friends from the clubs her father owned. With the exception of Brian, Jen’s brother, who was surprisingly cutting loose tonight. A war correspondent, he was only home for a week before he went overseas again. He caught her eye, gave her a flirtatious smile as he handed her another drink. She returned his smile with one of her own. He was seriously good-looking, brown hair and devilish brown eyes that sparkled with interest, so unlike the serious personality he showed the rest of the world. Tonight he was fun, full of jokes and laughter. And Kat supposed that’s what attracted her in the first place, his love of life so like Jen’s. One Kat was just beginning to discover. Or trying to, anyway.

Brian had been flirting with her all night and Kat was seriously considering...something. Something short and sweet. He was leaving in another week. And after tonight, she’d be upstate for the duration of that week. No awkward morning after. She could quietly slip away and by the time she returned, he’d be gone. Maybe it was exactly what she needed. She missed the feel of a man’s hands on her. Missed being wrapped in strong arms, feeling safe and protected. Wanted. And Brian might just give her that for a night.

But she wasn’t sure she was ready.

Not when she still dreamed of a man with black hair and blue eyes.

Jen said something and everybody laughed. Kat laughed along with them even though she’d missed the joke. Brian whispered loudly in her ear and Kat held out her hand, letting him lead her to the dance floor.

You look amazing tonight, Kat, Brian yelled over the music, his gaze traveling down her body, back up again, his appreciation obvious. Kat smiled and settled her hands on his shoulders. Her dress caught the disco balls from the ceiling and made her sparkle. Made from thousands of silver sequins, it sparkled everywhere, catching the light so she lit up the dance floor. It was tight, hugging every curve of her body, stopping at a point that would still be considered the tops of her thighs. But it was the neckline that made the dress so very sexy. A very low V, which ended well below her breasts all the way to her sternum, slowly angling up, covering her nipples for sure, but showing plenty of cleavage.

Topped with a pair of silver high-heeled sandals, she looked great, exactly the look she was going for tonight. Young. Beautiful. Free of the past, she reminded herself again. And if she repeated those words enough, she might just begin to believe them. 

She gave Brian a sexy smile that made him laugh. He gripped her waist a little tighter as they moved to the music before he took her hand and spun her around, keeping a tight hold to spin her back in. Kat laughed as she crashed into him, a little unsteady on her feet. Maybe not a good idea, she yelled on a laugh. Not in heels and halfway drunk.

Halfway? Brian asked as he pulled her closer, his hand resting on the small of her back. He was tall, reaching six feet, maybe a little more. His body felt hard beneath her hands and it was so easy to picture him wrapped around her...

Three-quarters then, Kat said, smiling up at him. He loosened his grip, moving his hands to her waist again and she moved her body with his, lost again in the music moments later. She could always get lost in the music. One song melded into another and still they danced until Kat was parched.

One more spin.

At least she’d been warned. Kat let him spin her out, tugging her hand to reel her in, but she stumbled again. Brian covered it well, bending her back and kissing her softly on the lips while her leg stretched out, just like in those old black and white movies.

Kat laughed again when Brian lifted his mouth. Nice save, but there really wasn’t room under this dress for much, if you get my point.

Jesus, Kat, Brian groaned, his smile going from flirtatious to something else entirely as he lifted her up, wrapping her arms around his neck. And then he was bending his head toward hers, closing in for another kiss. She let everything go, losing herself in the feel of his lips, the silky slide of his tongue against hers. After the heartbreaking loneliness of the past six weeks, she couldn’t help but need more, want more. And if he didn’t spark the immediate explosion of breath-stealing desire and need she was used to? Well, it still felt amazing to be wanted again, if only for a night. And maybe, just maybe, she’d finally be able to sleep. It’d be a hell of a lot better than how she spent most nights, wandering her tiny apartment, aching for—

You taste as sweet as I imagined, Kat, Brian whispered in her ear before taking her mouth again. He lifted her off her feet, his hands strong around her waist as her feet dangled in the air so they were eye to eye. He slowly pulled her closer, her leg brushing against him, feeling his arousal. And that quickly, indecision exploded. She pressed against his shoulders, needing a minute...and froze.

The smile died on her face, her stomach dropping out from under her, as if she was on a rollercoaster, only so, so much worse. Stephen Chandler stood twenty feet away, watching her, slowly stalking toward her, the expression on his face...murderous was the word that came to mind as he glared at the back of Brian’s head.

How the hell had he found her? And the bigger question, why had he found her?

Not for anything good, Kat thought when their gazes collided. Fear, starting with the trembling of her hands, working all the way through every nerve of her body until she damn near shook, overtook her in an instant, battling with the overwhelming desire that was just as intense, just as instant, no matter how hard she tried to push it away.

He looked...cold. Lethal. An expression on his face she’d never seen before. Between the distance separating them and the darkness of the club, his eyes looked as black as his hair, glittering with deadly intent when the disco lights from above fell on his face.

Dressed in jeans and a black button-down shirt, he blended in with every other man in the club. Or at least, he should have blended. But even the other dancers gave him wide berth, as if they could sense the danger Kat felt all the way down to her toes.

Which pissed her off. Or would have rather, if she wasn’t so scared, like she had been caught doing something wrong. But they had no ties to each other. Not after he’d tossed her into another man’s arms and never looked back.

But his expression. It was terrifying. Kat pushed at Brian’s shoulders, stone cold sober now. She thought only about escape, internally replaying the last few minutes, wondering just how much Stephen had seen, how long he’d been there. But he was too close and there was nowhere to hide.

Kat? You okay? Brian asked as he slowly dropped her to the floor. You look like you’ve seen a ghost.

I...uh, Kat tried to grab his hand, pull him back to their table, hoping by some miracle she could get lost in the crowd. But that certainly wouldn’t happen with her dress, shining like a beacon, a big giant arrow pointing her out every time the lights reflected off her. Perhaps the floor would just open up, swallow her whole and she’d never be seen again.

Brian turned, his curiosity getting the better of him, coming face to face with Stephen. As if sensing danger, he pulled her closer, wrapping a possessive arm tightly around her waist even as Kat tried to wiggle free. And as Stephen closed the final two-foot gap, his gaze locked on Brian, Kat’s brain scrambled. Was she supposed to introduce them?

Brian, meet Stephen, my last weekend fling. Or first weekend fling? First and last weekend fling? Stephen, meet Brian, the man I’m considering fucking next, but haven’t yet made up my mind...

But it was Brian who spoke first, his voice friendly and easy going, belying the tension in his body. Or maybe the tension was her own.

Brian Fitzgerald. He held out his hand, which Stephen shook, surprising her. From the lethal glint in his expression, she would have thought he’d deck him rather than take his hand. But Stephen, well, he was always controlled, wasn’t he?

Most of the time.

Stephen Chandler, he said smoothly, releasing Brian’s hand, his gaze settling on her. The fire blazing in his eyes made goose bumps stand on her arms, even as she felt her palms dampening with sweat. Kat. We need to talk.

No hello. No how have you been? No sorry about that voicemail I left a couple weeks ago. Just we need to talk. Somehow Kat managed to find her voice, though it trembled when she spoke. A-about what?

New developments. His voice was hard. Unwavering. And Kat knew then she wasn’t going to be leaving with Brian or the rest of her party. He’d drag her out of there if he had to, of that she had no doubt.

At midnight? Couldn’t this have waited—

It’s nearly four in the morning, Stephen said, cutting her off, his voice nearly a growl. His gaze remained on her face, but Kat knew he was still taking in the rest of her. The dress she had so loved, the dress that had made her feel incredibly sexy, now made her feel incredibly exposed. Her fingers itched to tug the dress further down her thighs, pull the too-deep V closer together, but she couldn’t without drawing more attention to either. And there was no way in hell she wanted that.

Jen came up on her left. Kat could have kissed her, she was so relieved. Without waiting for an introduction, she held out her hand to Stephen. Jen Fitzgerald.

Stephen had no choice but to break eye contact as Jen all but gushed about being so happy to finally meet him before shooting Kat a look that said way too much. She must have missed something, because the next thing she knew, Brian was leaning toward her, whispering something in her ear before giving her a final squeeze, releasing her when Jen began dragging him away.

Wait, Kat said desperately, finally coming out of her frozen stupor. You’re my ride.

Not tonight, Stephen said, wrapping his large hand around hers, a show of possession even though he no longer had the right. But the shock of desire was instantaneous, like an electrical current running up her arm, straight to her core, calling her a liar. She wondered if he felt it too, but his expression still held that deadly intent, vanishing for only a moment as he smiled at Jen when she came back with her clutch, suddenly all seductive charm that had Jen melting in a puddle at his feet.

Fix this with him, Kat, Jen whispered, handing Kat the bag that matched her dress. Now’s your chance, she said, loud enough to be overheard. And call me in the morning. Or afternoon, she amended, so much innuendo in her laugh it was impossible to miss.

But Kat wanted to run. Run as far and as fast as she could from this man who no doubt blamed her for ruining his life, if the look on his face was anything to go by. Because the second Jen turned, the false charm disappeared as if it never was. His body seemed coiled to strike, though at what, she wasn’t sure. Cowering in fear wasn’t her usual MO, but every instinct was screaming that Stephen was hanging onto his control by one very fine thread. And she wasn’t about to be the one to cut it.

Try it, Stephen warned. See how far you get. He waited a beat before he spoke again. We—

She didn’t hear anything after we. His lips were still moving, his utterly kissable lips that still had the power to weaken her knees, no matter how hard she tried to fight it. But his use of we? That wiped out her fear and her desire, the crushing pain of losing him crashing over her.

Because even though she’d never admit it to Stephen Chandler, he’d broken her heart and in no way had she been prepared for the pain seeing him again would cause. In an effort to protect herself against him, she licked her suddenly dry lips and glanced back at Brian before slowly looking at Stephen again. "There is no we, Chandler. There’s nothing to discuss. There’s no unfinished business between us, no new developments that matter to me. You’re too late."

Am I? His tone was just this side of cruel, the insinuation impossible to miss. Obviously, this was not the same man who’d once used the tone of his voice, his words, and his touch, for seducing her. Not the same man who’d once laughed often and easily. Her heart wept for everything she’d taken from him. Kat tried to take a step back, halted by his hold on her. At least she was able to breathe a little easier with the few inches that now separated them. Until he made a show of letting his gaze rake over her body, lingering on the deep V of her neckline, focusing on the exposed part of her breasts, the tops of her bare thighs. Seems to me, I’m just in time.

Kat cringed at the coldness in his eyes. She smiled up at him, a mocking sarcastic smile, her voice saccharine sweet. Trust me. You’re not.

Immediately, she regretted the words. The muscle in his jaw tightened and the pressure of his hand on hers increased. But it was the flash of pain that had her berating herself for the callousness of her words.

Enough with the games, Kat. Tonight’s not the night—

"For anything, she hissed. You show up out of the blue and expect me to go God knows where when you look like you’re ready to kill someone?"

He didn’t respond, just pulled her closer. Then he smiled. But it wasn’t a smile she’d ever seen on his face before. Kat’s heart pounded at the cruel twist of his lips, the coldness glinting in his eyes, the tension tightening his body. Lucky for you, you’re not the woman I’d like to kill right now.

Chapter Three

It wasn’t Luke.

Stephen silently repeated the words as he pulled Kat from the club, forcing himself to loosen his hold so he wasn’t crushing her hand. But no matter how many times he told himself the man with his throat sliced hadn’t been Luke, his panic was still all-consuming. The constant images flashing, leaving him reeling.

What the hell, Chandler? Kat snapped as soon as they were through the doors, shaken out of her stupor by the sudden reduction in noise. She jerked her hand out of his grip, her beautiful green eyes blazing fire. Are you purposely being an ass? Or is this just the new you?

Not tonight, Kat, he warned again, her words hitting a little too close to home. He raised his hand, as much to silence her as flag down a cab, desperately trying not to compound tonight’s fuckups. Coming after her had been a colossal mistake, one he wished he realized he was making before begging her grandmother to give him her location.

He’d spent the past few hours with the DEA, specifically with Luke’s captain, who was none too happy with him, to put it mildly. He’d narrowly escaped arrest, Alessandro’s threats to throw his ass in jail for interfering in an investigation, along with a bunch of other trumped up charges. As if he needed more shit to deal with, Stephen thought. He blew out a breath, a desperate attempt