With little fanfare, the men approached Karia, and seconds after that, with false smiles and scripted dialogue, they left the bar together.
Perfect.
Smug with satisfaction, he held back, remaining in the shadows, watching the door. He’d give them three minutes, no more. Then he’d go after Karia.
He didn’t want her going off the rails, sneaking away from him, or spilling her guts about things meant to be kept secret—details that formed the support of his enterprise.
He didn’t want her to lose her nerve, because he’d hate to have to kill her. But if she blew it, if she didn’t follow the carefully laid out directions, he would snuff her like a spent candle, and then he’d find another woman.
He’d done it before, and he’d do it again.
Luckily, the women knew that. Fear, he’d learned, proved to be quite the motivator.
* * *
ALICE AWAKENED ON a gentle sigh, a slow stretch and stirring warmth from deep inside. Even through her closed eyelids she knew the sun had risen, which meant she’d slept late. Amazing.
She never slept past the sunrise. Actually, she never slept the whole night through. Sleep, like peace of mind, was a rare commodity, always warring with her conscience.
Usually losing.
But last night, she’d faded into a peaceful slumber, surrounded by warmth and security.
Surrounded by Reese.
So many things he’d given her—the care of Cash, affection and caring, sexual interest.
And now this.
That last kiss had been a revelation. She touched her mouth, remembering, savoring.
Anticipating more.
Turning her head, she looked at the other side of the bed—and found it empty.
Her heart sank like a stone. Sitting up, hands fisting in the sheets, she listened. But her senses told her what her heart feared.
Her apartment was empty.
Raging anxiety spiraled out, trying to take hold. Deliberately, Alice drew a breath, then another, slow and deep, reaching for control, for that elusive calm.
She’d been alone for a very long time, mostly by choice. Being alone now was no different. It was—
No. She couldn’t, wouldn’t accept that.
Throwing back the sheet, she climbed from the bed and made a frantic rush out of the room. The bathroom door and her office stood open, and empty. Her feet made a quiet patter on the hardwood hallway.
The sunny living room greeted her with a deafening silence.
How could Reese sleep with her and then just go? How could he kiss her and say he wanted more and then walk out of her life as if—
A key sounded in her lock, causing her stomach to drop. Eyes wide, heart stuttering, she froze.
The door swung open, and Reese, fully dressed, stepped in with Cash. He spoke softly to the dog as he hung the leash on the wall and closed the door with a quiet click.
She held herself so still that it took a second for Cash to spot her. With joy lighting up his face, he levered back on his haunches, shook his butt then leaped forward.
That drew Reese’s attention. He turned, a smile in place—until he saw her.
Just that quick, warmth faded under concern.
The next thing she saw was sympathy.
Disgusted with herself, embarrassed and maybe even shamed, Alice knelt down and hugged Cash close. She loved the dog, and she needed an excuse to hide her hot face.
Unfortunately, Cash was too excited to be still. He kept jumping, and in her kneeling position, she didn’t have great balance.
He knocked her on her can.
Laughing around her humiliation, Alice let Cash crawl up into her lap, then nuzzle against her face, her neck. His paws tangled in her gown, and his tail wagged so hard it jiggled his entire body.
Knowing Reese had seen her stricken expression, she waited for the inquisition, but when she looked up, she saw him striding into the kitchen without a word.
“Uh-oh,” she whispered to Cash. “Did I make him uncomfortable?”
Cash’s only answer was more joyous snuffling and wiggling.
Reese returned with a mug of coffee in one hand, a dog chew in the other. “Cash, c’mere boy.”
Cash abandoned her quickly enough for Reese’s bribe. He took the chew to the other side of the couch and began gnawing.
“He’s been out twice,” Reese told her. “Fed, walked and frisky as ever.”
“Thank you.” Still on the floor, legs sprawled, gown twisted, Alice regretted the exposure left by Cash’s defection.
Reese came to stand by her feet. “Quite the picture you present. Somewhat like a collapsed confection.”
She didn’t understand him, so she didn’t reply.
After a moment, he offered her a hand. “Either you come up off the floor, or I’ll have to join you there. And if I get on the floor with you while you’re like that, I might not be able to control myself.”
What in the world did that mean?
Hand still extended, Reese said, “You’re the only woman I know who could look so damned desirable while rumpled from sleep, dejected from God knows what and cowering.”
“I don’t cower!” But she knew she had been. Biting her bottom lip, she scowled and accepted his hand.
He hauled her upright—and into his body. As if nothing else had transpired, he said cheerfully, “Good morning, Alice.”
How would she ever keep up with him? Alice mumbled, “Morning.”
Keeping the coffee out of reach with one arm extended, the other arm looped around her waist, he kissed her forehead. “Everything okay?”