"What is it?" I asked, not realizing my voice was barely above a whisper. "What's wrong?" His eyes lifted to mine, but he didn't answer right away.

"Four inches," he finally said. "The difference between life and death for you tonight was four inches." My blood ran colder at his bald a.s.sessment and I could think of nothing to say.

His hand drifted down to rest on my hip. "May I see how the cuts are doing?" he asked. My mouth went dry and I shook my head on the pillow.

"They're fine," I managed in a strangled voice. He didn't answer me, his lips twisting slightly in a crooked smile. Reaching up, he grasped the band holding my ponytail and slowly slid it down until my hair was released. His fingers combed through the strands, gently resting them over my shoulder.

I was acutely aware of all my senses. The faint smell of his cologne as he bent toward me. The cotton of his shirt that felt rough against my skin as it brushed my stomach. The quiet in the room save for the pounding of blood in my ears and the quickness of my breath. The air seemed thick in my lungs as I watched him watch me. I felt very vulnerable naked in front of him while he was still fully clothed. It felt submissive, but not in a bad way.

His hand slid slowly down my leg until he reached my knee. Hooking his fingers under the joint, he slowly bent my leg upward, pushing my knee out. My eyes widened in surprise, but I didn't have the strength of will to deny him.

Blane moved further onto the bed between my legs, then he did the same thing to the other knee, until my inner thighs were exposed to his gaze. His eyes never left mine and it seemed I was held captive by them. It wasn't until his gaze dropped that I felt another incriminating blush stain my cheeks. I had never been so exposed to a man before and embarra.s.sment made me wish for a something to cover myself.

Blane traced the healing cuts lightly and I tried to remember to breathe, which was a completely futile exercise when he gently pressed his lips to the inside of my knee. His mouth traveled slowly up my thigh, softly brushing the damaged flesh as he pa.s.sed. My legs trembled and his hands caressed the outside of my thighs, much as you would gentle a terrified animal.

"I want to kiss you, Kat," he murmured against my thigh, the roughness of his jaw abrading my sensitive skin. Okay, that was odd. He'd never asked my permission before. He must have taken my silence as acquiescence, but he didn't move to kiss me. Instead, his head lowered between my legs and I squeaked in surprise, instinctively scooting backward away from him.

Blane's hands closed over my thighs, holding me in place. His warm breath caressed my thigh and then his mouth was on me and I couldn't breathe. The intimacy of it shocked me and then pleasure spiked in my senses and my eyes slammed shut. I whimpered and clutched the blanket. Blane gently nudged my legs further apart and I couldn't resist him.

The same sensations Blane had stirred in me last night built again, only this time he didn't stop but took me right over the edge. Stars exploded behind my eyes and Blane's name fell from my lips as I came apart.

When I could open my eyes, it was to find he'd kissed his way up my body and was nuzzling my neck. My breath came in pants as I tangled my hands in his hair, holding him close to me.

"You're beautiful," he whispered, and he pressed his lips against mine for a kiss I felt clear down to my toes. After a moment, he pulled back and I mewled in disappointment, thinking he was leaving me. But instead of going, he scooped me into his arms and walked out the door.

"What are you doing?" I asked, stretching upward so I could taste the tantalizing exposed skin of his neck.

"Taking you to bed," he said, carrying me down the darkened hallway. I smiled.

"We were just in bed," I said while sucking gently at the skin under his jaw.

"Not my bed," he answered, pushing open another door and shutting it behind him. He laid me down in the center of a ma.s.sive four poster bed, but I was up on my knees and reaching to catch his sleeve as he stood. Pulling him toward me, I started on the b.u.t.tons of his shirt and tugged it out of his jeans. His hands tangled in my hair as it hung in waves down my back and then he was kissing me. Shoving the shirt down and off his arms I moved to his belt, but he pushed me backward onto the bed, climbing on top of me and recapturing my lips.

I tugged at his belt, moaning in relief when I was finally able to get it and the b.u.t.ton underneath it undone. Then my hands were brushed aside as Blane moved his mouth from my lips to my b.r.e.a.s.t.s. I lost my train of thought and could only focus on the delicious torture he was inflicting on me. His hand moved between my legs and he slid two fingers inside me. I cried out and his hand stilled.

"Am I hurting you?" he asked, and I frantically shook my head.

"More!" I gasped, and he complied, making me moan and writhe underneath him. "Please," I managed to breathe in his ear. I didn't have enough coherence to string together two actual words, so hoped he'd get the message with just one.

He pulled away from me and quickly shed his pants. I heard the crinkle of paper and then he was gathering me in his arms again as he lay between my thighs.

"Tell me if anything hurts you," he said and I nodded, beyond speech now, I wanted him so badly. I felt him at my entrance and a flicker of unease went through me, it had been a long time, after all. But then he was pushing inside and all I could think was how incredible it felt, him filling me. He went agonizingly slow and I could see his jaw was clenched as he held tightly to his control.

"G.o.d, Kat," he breathed, "you feel incredible. So tight." Okay, well that certainly was a confidence builder. I wrapped my legs around his hips and arched upward, delighted when he groaned.

"Make love to me," I whispered against his lips, then his mouth was on mine, our tongues tangling together as he thrust inside me again and again. Blane was much larger than Donny had been and he stretched and filled me. I felt the delicious pressure building again and clung to Blane, my fingernails digging into his shoulders. My release crashed over me and I cried out. A bare moment later, Blane shuddered in my arms, his lips finding mine again.

Afterward, I couldn't move. I felt boneless and sated. Blane lay on top of me, but after a moment he moved to the side, turning away from me. I was touched that he'd not only thought to protect me, but was also trying to be discreet about it. When he turned back he gathered me to him, pressing kisses to my eyes, my cheeks, and finally my lips. Our skin was slightly damp with sweat, but he didn't seem to care and I certainly didn't.

Brushing my hair back from where it was clinging to my damp forehead, he leaned over me. Our eyes met and held. He placed a gentle kiss on my lips and my heart turned over in my chest. Gazing once more into my eyes, a small smile curved his lips as a finger grazed lightly down the side of my face. I smiled shyly back.

Turning on his side, he tucked me against him back-to-front and draped his arm over my waist. I lay there for a while and just savored the feel of him against me and holding me. It was the sensation of feeling cherished and protected that had me reeling. No one else had ever made me feel the way Blane did. I smiled sleepily and nestled closer to him.

I was jerked awake by the sound of a phone ringing. For a moment, I was completely disoriented in an unfamiliar place. Then I remembered where I was and sat up, glancing around for the ringing phone.

Blane was no longer in bed with me, but it was still dark outside. I had no idea what time it was, and where was that d.a.m.n phone? Scrambling out of bed, I promptly stubbed my toe and cursed. Limping, I followed the sound until I came to my purse. Blane must have brought it in for me. I dug inside until I found the still ringing phone and jerked it open.

"h.e.l.lo?"

"Kathleen, is that you? It's CJ." Oh my G.o.d, I had completely forgotten about her calling me about the GPS tracker she'd put on the hard drive. "Kathleen?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm here," I said quickly, shoving a hand through my hair.

"Where are you?" she asked.

"I'm at Blane's," I answered. "What's going on? Did you trace where Kade took the drive?"

"He's at some house," she said. "I'm sitting in my car outside of it now, thought there might be something to be seen."

"What house?" I asked, curious, and she gave me an address. I went very still.

"What was the address again?" She repeated it for me.

"Oh my G.o.d," I breathed.

"What? What's wrong, Kathleen?" CJ's voice was anxious in my ear.

"That's Blane's address. It's here."

Chapter Eleven.

It took me a moment to process this, as stunned as I was, and I felt fear ice my veins.

"Kathleen? Are you there?"

"Yeah, I'm here," I answered, my mind spinning.

"Listen," she continued, "I'm outside in my car. I parked on the street on the west side of the house. You have to get out of there."

"But if Kade's here," I argued, "Blane might be in danger. I can't just leave him." My pulse was racing now as I wondered where Blane was. Maybe he'd heard an intruder and had gotten up to check it out.

"Kathleen," CJ said, her voice sad, "I'm sorry but I think you need to realize that Blane probably knows that Kade is there. He might even be the one that sent Kade to get it from you." My stomach clenched at this and a shaft of pain pierced my chest.

"You're wrong," I said, shaking my head even though I knew she couldn't see me. "Blane wouldn't betray me like that. He wouldn't put me in danger." I heard CJ sigh.

"Fine," she said curtly, "but I'll still wait for you. I'll give you fifteen minutes to get out of there."

"Okay," I agreed. "I'm going to try to find Blane." I hung up the phone and grabbed my purse. Carefully opening Blane's bedroom door, I peered down the darkened hallway and listened. All was silent. As quietly as I could, I went back to my bedroom, hurrying into the bathroom and yanking on my clothes and shoes.

I was about to step on the stairs when I realized I had nothing to defend myself or Blane, should I need it. Thinking quickly, I retraced my steps to Blane's room, searching the walls blindly for a light switch. Flicking it on, I saw what I needed on the table next to the bed. Blane's gun. I grabbed it, checked that it was loaded and flicked the safety off. Now I was ready.

I crept down the stairs, pausing every couple of steps to listen. I didn't hear anything until I reached the bottom. Voices were coming from the den. Stepping as lightly as I could through the dining room, I paused outside the door to the den which was open a bare inch. Golden light appeared through the crack, sending a shaft of light into the shadowed dining room. Now I could plainly hear the voices and my heart sank as I recognized them. Blane and Kade.

"...you not to come here," I heard Blane say. "It's too dangerous if you're seen. No one can know we're working together."

"You have so little faith in me that you'd think I'd let someone see me?" Kade scoffed. "Please." There was quiet for a moment.

"Did you find it?" Blane asked.

"No," Kade answered, "it wasn't on there. And I think your pretty little girlfriend is hiding something from you."

"What? Why?" Blane sounded irritated.

"Because all that was on that drive was gay p.o.r.n. More than I ever wanted or needed to see." My mouth twisted in a bitter smile and I had to appreciate CJ's style.

"Are you f.u.c.king kidding me?" Blane said, and now I could hear the anger in his voice.

"Would I kid about this?" Kade said, sounding angry as well. "Maybe you don't know her as well as you think. And why the h.e.l.l didn't you tell me you were involved with her? I could have shot you in that alley."

"Because it wasn't any of your business," Blane retorted. "She doesn't even own a computer, Kade, and I doubt she'd know what to do with it if she did. You probably just missed something."

"I didn't miss anything," Kade said evenly. "And we need that code or we're screwed."

"I'm well aware of that," Blane answered curtly. "Has Frank contacted you about it yet?"

"Yes. He said he's getting impatient. There's too much riding on this election. You and I both know that." Blane didn't reply to that.

My gut was twisting inside me and I felt like I was going to throw up. I had been wrong, so wrong. Mark had been right to warn me. I shouldn't have trusted Blane.

"So let's go see your girlfriend and make her tell us what she knows," Kade said. I stopped breathing, panic flaring inside me. "You know where she lives, right?"

"She's not there," said Blane flatly.

"Then where is she?"

A pause, and then, "In my bed." Kade laughed derisively. I cringed.

"I swear, you're more ruthless than I am sometimes, Blane," he said. "I guess those scratches on your shoulders must be from her. I trust now she'll tell you anything you want to know?" I didn't want to hear Blane's answer. Without realizing, I was backing away from the door, my hand pressed tightly to my mouth so I wouldn't betray my presence with any sound of the anguish that I was currently feeling.

Something crashed behind me and I spun around in horror. I'd inadvertently b.u.mped into the table and sent a crystal candelabra clattering to the surface. For a moment, I was frozen, then realized the men had stopped talking. I jerked my head around in time to see the door fly open, temporarily blinding me with the light that spilled from it. Kade stood there looking at me, his gaze malevolent.

I didn't waste another moment. Fear is a great motivator. I turned and ran. I knew there was a door in the kitchen that opened to the grounds and would ultimately lead me to the street where, hopefully, CJ was still parked. I heard cursing behind me but didn't pause, running as if my life depended on it, which it actually did.

Scrambling through the kitchen, I threw open the door and tore through the yard. It was dark but I ran heedlessly, hoping I didn't trip over anything.

"Kat! Wait!" I heard Blane call from not very far behind me. I ignored him and kept running. They both were taller and faster than me and I knew I wasn't going to make it. Turning quickly, I aimed the gun high - I knew I wouldn't kill them but hopefully they didn't - and fired off a couple rounds. They both hit the ground and I took off again.

I saw the street ahead and tried to run faster, the cold air searing my chest as I gasped for breath. To my relief, CJ's car was idling at the curb, the lights off. I ran to it, yanking open the pa.s.senger door and diving inside.

"Go! Go!" I yelled at her, turning to see Blane and Kade closing in. CJ stomped on the gas and we pulled away from the curb. Turning around, I saw Kade raise his gun and I flinched, but Blane shoved his arm down before he could get off a shot. Then I saw nothing as they were lost in the darkness of the street behind us.

"Holy s.h.i.t!" CJ exclaimed, her eyes wide as she stole quick glances at me. "Hey, point that thing somewhere else, would you?" She gestured to the gun I was still holding in my shaking hands.

"Sorry," I said, quickly thumbing the safety on and putting the gun in my purse.

"Where'd you get a gun?" she asked.

"It's Blane's," I answered, trying to catch my breath. My heart was still pounding in my chest.

"You took Blane's gun?" CJ said, smiling widely now. "Sweet." I didn't think it was sweet. My eyes stung but I blinked back the tears. I refused to cry. I had known that it was dangerous to get involved with Blane. I had no one to blame but myself for my own stupidity.

And yet, the thought of his lies and how he'd used me, been planning on using me, caused my stomach to tighten painfully. A surge of nausea made me clutch at my middle.

"Stop the car!" I said, and CJ must have heard the urgency in my voice because she pulled over immediately. I was out before it had completely stopped, my stomach heaving. I threw up the meager contents in the gra.s.s, wiping my mouth on my sleeve. Kade's sleeve, actually, and I grimaced.

Getting back in the car, I dug in my purse. I knew I couldn't go home. That would be the first place they'd look. Finding the sc.r.a.p of paper I needed, I held it up so I could read it.

"Take me here," I said, giving CJ the address. "I can't go home, they'll be there. But you should be okay. They know nothing about your involvement."

"Where am I taking you?" she asked, looking over the paper.

"A friend offered to let me stay with her if I needed to," I said, thinking of Gracie and hoping she'd meant it.

"Are we still on for Monday?" she asked and I nodded.

"Absolutely." My resolve to thwart whatever plan was in place hadn't weakened. If anything, it was stronger now. If Blane thought I was some stupid little girl who "didn't even own a computer," well, he had another thing coming, even if it was true that I didn't own a computer.

"Nice job on the gay p.o.r.n," I complimented her and she grinned. "They really hated that."

"So tell me what happened?" she asked and I repeated the conversation I'd overheard.

"I don't know how they're involved exactly," I said, "but supposedly Kade works for the Santini brothers. Blane works for the firm, and while I know he has no love for James, they must be working together to get James elected."

"It makes sense," CJ mused. "Blane's the brains and Kade's the gun. Blane must have realized your connection to Mark and wanted to gain your trust so you'd tell him what Mark knew. So he played good cop while sending Kade to play bad cop." I closed my eyes, dismayed at how easily I'd been played. CJ must have sensed how upset I was because she didn't say anything else.

Gracie lived in a much nicer apartment complex than I did and I thought again of what she made as an escort. I would have to figure out something soon. Obviously, I couldn't go back to work on Monday. Rent was due and I had just enough in my checking account to pay it, but I had to get another job quick.

I told CJ to stay in the car. I wanted as few people to know about our a.s.sociation as possible. Should something happen to me, I didn't want anyone to be able to link her to me and go after her as well. She said she'd wait to make sure I was all right to stay before leaving.

Tentatively, I knocked on Gracie's door. It was very late and I hated to wake her, but didn't know what else to do. I waited a couple minutes and then knocked again. Finally, I heard the lock turn.

"Kathleen?" she said in surprise when the door opened. She was wearing a beautiful red satin negligee and I belatedly hoped she was alone.