Chapter Two

Kara woke up to the smell of bacon, and her stomach let out a demanding rumble.

She threw off the blankets, shivering as the cool air rushed over her naked body. The T-shirt and shorts lay at the end of the bed—she hadn’t been comfortable wearing them while she slept, shucking the clothing not long after lying down.

Another growl had her sitting up, pressing one hand to her belly in an attempt to quiet it. Sunlight streamed in through a crack in the blanket covering the lone window.

Her mind reran the events of the last few hours, replaying them at top speed.

Stumbling through the rain. The apartment door.

Liam.

“Liam.” The shout came out before she realized it. Kara slapped her hands over her mouth, mortified at her lack of control.

The door flew open, slamming against the back wall.

He ran in, holding a fork in one hand and a pistol in the other. Both weapons swiveled as he scanned the room, searching for any intruder. There was a coldness in his brown eyes, the way he held himself. Muscles tensed under his black T-shirt, his reaction bringing a thought up to the surface.

An animal. A predator.

A killer.

The thought didn’t frighten her. If she’d spent some time with him—and she was sure of that—he hadn’t scared her away before. There was no reason to leave now.

And where would you go? her inner voice asked. You came here for a reason, came to find him—right to his doorstep. You’ll figure it out in time.

She watched Liam clear the room with a calm, collected efficiency. Kara didn’t know what he did for a living, but it wasn’t sitting behind a desk, flipping papers.

A second later, satisfied there was no danger, he looked at her. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” She rubbed her eyes.

“You called my name.” His tone was accusatory.

“I know. I’m sorry.” Her cheeks burned.

He relaxed and stood up straight, waving the fork in the air. “Don’t get me wrong—I’ve got nothing against women yelling my name.” Liam chuckled as he tucked the pistol in the small of his back. “Usually I’m the reason.”

Kara’s cheeks warmed with embarrassment at causing such a scene.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I woke up and all I could think of was your name.”

“Don’t apologize. If it helps bring your memory back, I’ll come racing into a hundred bedrooms.” The fork pointed to the small stack of clothing in the corner. “Your clothing’s all there. Shoes are in the bathtub. Jacket’s by the front door. No casualties.”

He eyed her, dragging his gaze over her naked body. He raised an eyebrow in approval.

“You haven’t changed.” The mixture of laughter and desire in his words verified they had been a couple. “But it’s a lot colder here than in Vegas. Might want to keep that in mind for the future.”

She reached down and drew the sheet up with one hand, staring right back at him.

“Don’t be too long—breakfast’ll get cold.” Liam smiled and walked out of the room.

She waited until the door closed again before dropping the sheet.

“Liam,” Kara said quietly.

She’d been sent to find him. She knew that much; she felt it in her bones.

But after that…

There was too much fog in her mind, too many scattered thoughts spinning around. One thing was certain, the two of them had an intimate history—the way he’d looked at her proved that. Those memory flashes were true.

Frustration bubbled up inside her. How could she not remember a man like that? How…

Kara sighed and pressed her palms to her eyes. Her stomach growled again, not satisfied with the memory of last night’s meal. She climbed out of bed and reached for the clothing.

Answers would have to wait until after breakfast.

First, she had to deal with the man she’d forced herself on.

Liam finished setting out breakfast. Bacon and scrambled eggs were a safe choice.

He wasn’t sure there was much else that could be.

Seeing her naked, even for only a few seconds, had rekindled the flame of desire he’d worked so hard to suppress since last night. His charge down the hallway had been real, his fear she was under attack overriding everything else.

The spark in her eyes when he’d burst in…a mixture of rage, embarrassment, and confusion. She really didn’t remember much about their time together.

There’d been no movement outside his front door all night, the parking lot remaining empty other than the few cars he identified as belonging to the other residents.

If someone had followed her to the apartment building and thrown her at him as a distraction, they were taking way too long to follow up with a direct attack.

He wasn’t quite sure what to make of that.

Kara came out of his bedroom, fully dressed. She’d pulled her hair into a loose ponytail, flipped over one shoulder.

“Thank you,” she said.

“No problem. Come and eat.”

They ate in silence, Kara’s appetite still as hearty as it had been earlier.

“Before we head out”—Liam stood up—“I’m known as Jack Hammerson here. If you don’t mind, please call me Jack when we go to Marie.”

“Why?”

“Liam’s my middle name. I don’t use it here. Easier not to confuse anyone.” The lie flowed freely, and he hated himself for it. But he couldn’t risk the truth.

“Are you sure we need to go?”

“Yes. Maybe someone found your purse, or other identification, and turned it in. Maybe you’re listed as missing from wherever you started. She’ll have access to a lot more resources than we’ll get here in my apartment.”

She continued to eat, but he could see the tension in her shoulders signaling her inner turmoil.

“Kara. We need to find out who you are.” He lowered his voice, trying to sound as supportive as he could. “I’m sure there’s someone out there who’s worried about you, looking for you. This can’t be solved by staying in all day, curled up on my couch.”

“I guess so.” Kara finished eating and got up from the table. “Let me get my jacket, and we’ll go.”

Liam tried to tamp down the sense of foreboding setting the hairs on the back of his neck on end.

She was trouble.

Kara looked around as Liam locked the front door. “The neon sign over there says this is a hotel.”

“Technically it still is. It was modified years ago into apartments. Landlord wanted more financial security, so he started long-term rentals. He keeps a few empty units for travelers who need a room during the tourist season.” Liam turned and gestured at the parking lot in front of them.

Every bone in his body said to dump her at the first opportunity and run, climb into his truck and get out of town as fast as he could. Her presence could only mean one thing—trouble, for him and those around him. He’d grown fond of this town and the people here. They didn’t deserve what her appearance might mean.

But he wouldn’t leave her alone.

Because he had so much red in his register he didn’t know if he’d ever be able to rub it all out, take it into the black.

Leaving an amnesiac woman behind to an unknown fate wasn’t an option.

The pistol dug into the small of his back, the added weight pressing down on him, body and soul. It was comfortable, old habits coming back with ease. He wasn’t too happy about that—he would have preferred to leave it in the shoebox under his bed. The gun was illegal, and the last thing he needed was to have any issues with law enforcement—he got on well enough with Marie. But something told him his different worlds were about to collide, and he didn’t need to be caught unarmed.

He led her past his black pickup truck and through the lot, zigging and zagging around the potholes filled with water on their way to the street.

“It’s a short walk to the station,” he said by way of explanation. “Rather save the gas if I can.”

She nodded, leaning into him as a cold wind swept across them. “Strange weather. Lots of dark clouds, but no rain.”

“All noise and no business.” Liam let out a low laugh. “I don’t mind the thunder, but lightning, that bothers me.”

“Me, too.”

As they made their way up onto the sidewalk, she sensed the tension in the air, the apprehension coming off him in waves. He didn’t want her there but wasn’t about to walk away from her, their previous liaison obliging him to help her out. But there was something else, a sense of…danger? Anticipation? It wasn’t fear, she knew that.

Liam wasn’t afraid of anything.

Kara shook her head, earning a curious look from Liam as they continued on toward the small police station, a lit blue neon sign announcing its presence.

She didn’t know what that thought meant or where it came from. It was like all the rest of her thoughts, drifting through a fog until it congealed into something coherent.

“Come on.” He offered his hand as he started up the steps. Kara grasped it, feeling the strength in the callused, well-worn fingers.

He took hold of one of the thick brass handles and opened the door for her, waving her on.

The small building was laid out simply, with a main counter greeting visitors at the entrance, providing a barrier to the rest of the floor. A holding cell lay down one hall and a handful of offices down another, with four open desks in sight, all covered with stacks of paperwork in varying heights. A nearby bulletin board held various notices—some wanted posters from the FBI, but mostly flyers advertising safety programs with bright cartoon images and cheery slogans.

A small buzzer went off, announcing their presence.

Liam stepped up beside her as they approached the counter, calling out. “Marie? You here?”

An African-American woman came out from the back, holding a cup of coffee. Streaks of gray wandered through her short hair, fighting with the black for supremacy. She was no more than five feet high, the police uniform fitted perfectly to her slender form. Crow’s feet around her eyes added a spot of wisdom to her wide grin.

“Got my first cup of coffee and prepping to dive into a pile of paperwork. Don’t let anyone tell you the law enforcement life isn’t glamorous.” She smiled. “Hi, Jack. Who’s your friend?”

He chuckled as he leaned on the counter, balancing on his elbows. “Now there’s the mystery.”

“Oh, so it’s going to be like that. Good thing I made this batch strong enough to peel paint.” The police chief waved them both in through the swinging door. “Want a cup?”

“No, we’re good.” Liam cleared his throat. “Here we go.”

Marie listened intently, arms crossed, as he ran through the night’s events. He left out Kara knowing his name, as well as their previous connection.

Forehead furrowed, Marie turned her full attention on Kara. “You don’t recall how you ended up at his apartment?” She leaned back in the wooden chair, the metallic squeak grating on Kara’s ears.

“No idea.” Kara didn’t have to lie. “I just remember stumbling through the rain and sleet. I’m lucky he was home and awake.”

The chief’s eyes narrowed. “Yeah. Great luck.”

She glanced at Liam. He shrugged.

Kara held back a smile. Liam might have underestimated how far he could push the savvy policewoman when it came to withholding information.

“Right. Let’s start with your fingerprints, if you don’t mind, and I’ll run them through the system.” Marie stood up from the desk. “I’m sure someone’s looking for you. Come on back here, and we’ll start.”

Kara followed her into one of the other rooms, leaving Liam behind.

“Here we go.” The police chief tapped a series of buttons on a large machine. “Must be awful, not knowing anything but your name.” Marie reached for Kara’s hand. “I need you to relax.” Her smile was warm and welcoming. “Just let me handle your fingers. Works a lot better this way.”

Kara nodded and let her direct each digit.

The older woman pressed each of Kara’s fingers to the scanner. “This here will take your fingerprints and send them to the various agencies. If you’ve ever been arrested or applied for a job that required you to obtain a security clearance, it’ll be in there. As well as if you’ve been listed as missing and we were able to put some prints on file.”

Kara listened to the hum and whir of the machine as Marie reached out and tapped the nearby keyboard.

The police chief glanced over at Liam, just out of earshot. She cleared her throat. “You said you took a shower last night. I sort of wish he had taken you to the clinic first. Annie would have opened up for you; she’s always available in a pinch. Be good to have her look you over.”

“That’s what Jack said. He checked me over for a concussion and asked me if I thought I’d been assaulted. I told him no—I checked my clothing for rips, tears, signs I’d been hurt. There was nothing. Otherwise, I’m sure he would have called Annie and taken me to the clinic, whether I wanted to go or not.”

“Good.” Marie eyed Kara, a softness in her gaze. “I’m glad to hear that. Don’t like to think anyone in my town would be that horrible.”

Kara twisted to see out the open door. “Jack’s a nice man.” It took a concentrated effort to use his alias.

“That he is.” Marie smirked. “If I were twenty years younger I’d be making a move on that. But I’m no cougar, so I flirt with him, he plays along, and my ego appreciates it.”

“What do you know about him?” Kara asked.

Marie shrugged. “Came into town over a year ago. Been a solid law-abiding citizen, never been any trouble, not even a ticket for jaywalking. Works full-time at the water bottling warehouse, does a lot of volunteer and part-time work, money under the table.” She winked at Kara. “Not much that goes on in this town that I don’t know. He keeps to himself, although he’s always there to lend a hand if you ask.”

She gave the keyboard a final drum of her fingers. “There. Should have something for us in a few minutes.” The older woman fixed her gaze on Kara. “If an outstanding warrant comes up, please behave yourself. I don’t want to have to take you down in front of Jack.”

“Promise,” Kara said.

Marie hummed for a second, releasing Kara’s hand. “Thanks. Got a feeling you’d give me a run for my money. Looks to me like you work out a lot.”

“I do?” Kara flexed her fingers.

“You do. Think on that—might help jog the memory circuits.” Marie led her back out into the main room.

Liam spun around on the chair, facing the two women. “Anything yet?”

Marie laughed as she motioned for Kara to the empty chair beside him. “You’ve got one hell of a lot of faith in technology. Give it a chance.” She eyed Liam. “Heard the Carallos decided to take a long vacation.”

He nodded. “Going to Nevada from now until the spring—visiting a new grandchild. I’m going over this afternoon to help board up the house, seal it up.”

The machine in the other room made a loud beep, cutting the conversation off.