Run the Risk

That Morton Andrews would peddle flesh? No. But that Reese had info he hadn’t shared? Yeah, that was an unpleasant revelation. “You should have told me.”

“The way you researched him, I assumed you knew, as well. And with you on your stakeout of Pepper Yates, we didn’t really have a lot of time to chat.”

Bullshit. They’d talked, but Reese hadn’t mentioned it. “I got sidetracked a few times. What do you know about it?”

“Only had a few leads, nothing concrete.” Reese rolled a shoulder. “I hadn’t checked into it yet, but one of my snitches told me that suspected traffickers were contacted by Andrews’s cronies.” Reese gave him a quick look. “Speaking of snitches…have you checked this truck for GPS tracking?”

“Yeah.” No way in hell would he have taken Pepper to the lake house if he hadn’t known she would be safe there. “Rowdy had me tagged with a mini-device, but he’d already removed it. There wasn’t anything else.”

“Damn. He actually told you that?”

“He says he’s come clean about everything.” And for the most part, Logan believed him. So far, everything he’d said had added up.

“Guess he wasn’t taking any chances with his sister.”

“No, Rowdy Yates is not a man to take chances.” Logan could only be grateful for Rowdy’s diligence. “Turns out he had reason to mistrust me, right?”

Reese directed all his attention on Logan. “He had reason to doubt your motives—that’s a different thing entirely. His gut told him you weren’t being up front.”

“Because I wasn’t.” Logan slowed at an exit ramp. Thanks to the highways, the lake house wasn’t far from where he lived and worked, but it was secluded. “Gut instincts are usually dead-on.”

Reese conceded the point. “I’ve never understood why so many people ignore them.”

Logan felt the same—which was why he had to take Rowdy’s concerns about Reese seriously.

“But now he knows what motivated you,” Reese pointed out. “And in all instances, the end goal makes a difference.”

“You think so?” Logan didn’t feel very righteous about any of it. If he could turn back time…then what?

If he’d never gone after Rowdy, he’d never have met Pepper. She’d remain in hiding, living her life as a lie.

“I know so. Rowdy might be too involved to have a clearheaded perspective, but you’re not, so stop berating yourself.”

Did Reese hope to justify deceptions of his own? “There’s never a good reason for hurting a woman.”

“There’s hurt, and then there’s hurt.” Reese smiled. “Last night, Pepper proved she’s not exactly a delicate flower.”

She’d proved…something. Logan didn’t know what. “Stow it.”

“In fact, Dash was afraid you’d knock a hole in the wall, the way you two were rocking that bed.”

His temples pounded. “Shut up.”

Reese grinned. “In all seriousness, seeing her on her way to and from your room, she appeared far from wounded. In fact, I’d say you’re all but in the clear already. So how about we appease the lieutenant, I’ll research that bomb, we’ll track down a sniper, and then we can both get back to our lives.”

Logan nodded, but he knew it wouldn’t be that simple. Nothing ever was—especially when dealing with Pepper Yates.

* * *

THE CLOSER HE GOT to his apartment, the more anxious Reese became. He’d spent a near sleepless night on a too-small, narrow couch. He’d put up with an irascible and accusing female. He’d dodged Logan’s subtle inquisition and condemning silences. And then he’d had more driving to do to get his car back home. He was exhausted, concerned, feeling a little cornered, and yet…

The majority of his thoughts centered around his neighbor.

A quick glance at his watch showed it to still be early. He had a little time before he should put in an appearance at the station.

Was Alice up? Should he call her?

Or surprise her by knocking?

Knocking, he decided.

Fighting off an absurd smile, Reese parked. Morning sunshine already baked the parking area. It’d be another scorcher.

Despite the exhaustion, he went up the steps with a sense of keen expectation. Was Alice still in her pajamas? What did she wear? Probably not anything sexy. Maybe something staid and shapeless. His grin widened at that image.

At her door, he raised his hand to knock—and heard Cash’s berserk barking. The door opened without him knocking, and Alice stood there, well-wrapped in a peach-colored cotton housecoat.

He barely had time to register her soft expression, mussed hair and small bare feet before Cash leaped up against him.

Giving up his perusal of warm, sleepy woman, Reese knelt down and showered the dog with the attention he wanted.

Cash almost knocked him over in his effort to lick his face. Laughing, Reese stood again.

Alice handed him the leash. “He hasn’t been out yet. I wouldn’t delay on that.”

“Hang on.” Flattening a hand on the door, Reese kept her from shutting him out.

She looked down, let out a sigh and said, “Too late.”

Damn it. Reese looked down, too, and saw Cash now cowering in what looked remarkably like embarrassment. “No worries, buddy. It’ll mop up.”

Cash thumped his tail in relief—and went back to excitedly yapping.