Chapter 32

Kellan parked the SUV at the airport in the spot BeBe instructed and left the keys inside.

After completing a whirlwind circuit of the late-night talk shows, Sawyer, Harlow, Mason and Cassidy had jetted off for New York on the network jet. They were surrounded by security provided by the studio, so he wasn’t needed. He’d gone back to the house and packed up everyone’s clothes and items they didn’t want to tote to New York and shipped it home, including most of his belongings, as well. It was easier to travel light.

He kept his laptop bag and a small suitcase to check his gun. He grabbed the bags from the back seat and headed for the entrance. His flight wasn’t for a couple of hours, so he had plenty of time to grab some coffee. He’d seen all the sights of LA over the last few weeks, ate at some of the best restaurants, and spent time with wonderful people. Not a bad first assignment—despite the fact that he’d killed a man. Actually, it was a toss-up whose bullet hit Colin Rafferty first, his or Sawyer’s. Didn’t matter. The man had been poised to shoot Mason. He didn’t feel remorse.

He’d gotten to know his coworkers well during the duration of the show and they reinforced his decision to quit the force. He truly liked them, was happy to call them friends. And both men were lucky to have met two magnificent women. He wasn’t in the market for a wife, but if he met a woman a fraction as nice and caring and beautiful as either Harlow or Cassidy, he might reconsider.

He'd almost made it to the airport terminal when a small shape jumped in front of him, sending him stumbling back.

“Finally,” a soft voice said. “You’re late. I was beginning to think you weren’t coming.”

He glanced behind him to see if the woman was talking to someone else, but he was alone. She was more than a foot shorter than his six-three. A stocking cap covered most of her hair, but one silky strand of white blond escaped to curl around her chin. Aquamarine eyes the color of the sea regarded him. “Excuse me?”

“The man I talked to at the security company said you’d be here an hour ago. I don’t think I was followed, but I can never be sure.” Her eyes darted around.

Kellan was totally confused. Had Luke or Logan sent this woman to him? If so, why hadn’t they given him a heads-up.

“Oh, God, I think I see one of them.”

Kellan grabbed her arm and toted her down the sidewalk. He had no idea what was going on, but her eyes were filled with terror. Every protective instinct in his body flared to life. If she was in danger, he was going to protect her. He hadn’t locked the door of the SUV, so he guided her there.

“What’s your name?” he asked as they dodged passengers with luggage and waited for a clearing to cross the street to the parking garage.

“Aaaa-ngela. Angela, uh, Johnson.”

A car whizzed by and then the road was clear. He steered her forward. “Nice to meet you, Angela.” He was pretty certain that wasn’t her real name since she dragged the first letter out so long. “My name’s Kellan Polizzi and I work for COBRA Securities. Is that the company you called?”

Angela jerked to a stop and he had to urge her forward out of the street before a bus plowed them over.

“No, I called Cable Security. Oh, God.” She tried to pull away from him but he wasn’t letting her go.

“It looks like they stood you up, but I can help you.” He reached in his pocket and took out a shiny business card. She would be the first recipient. “I need you to tell me what’s going on so I can help you.”

Tires squealed and he glanced up to see a car racing towards them, a gun poking out the window. “Get down.” He shoved Angela behind a vehicle as shots rang out. Dammit, his gun was locked in his suitcase so he couldn’t fire back. He made sure Angela was safe before peeking around to see what was happening. More squealing tires as the car rounded a corner and disappeared. He memorized the California license plate, knowing it was probably a waste of time since it was most likely stolen.

“Looks like they’re gone.” He stood and turned around. “Let’s get to my vehicle and you can tell me—”

The space behind him was empty. “Angela?” He spun in a circle, searching under the nearest cars and then craning his head to look around, to no avail.

Angela Johnson was gone.

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