Flashback (Kendra Michaels #11)

Kendra leaned against her car and tapped out another message. MOST UNCOMFORTABLE WITH POLICE SOURCE REVEALING MY EVERY MOVE TO GLOBE-TROTTING SOMETIME COMPANION.

She waited a long moment. No response.

She finally typed: STILL THERE?

STILL HERE. JUST SLIGHTLY WOUNDED BY “SOMETIME COMPANION” DESIGNATION.

DESIGNATION MORE A PRODUCT OF COMPANION’S FREQUENT OVERSEAS ADVENTURES.

M’LADY WOULD BE WELCOME AT ALL SUCH EXCURSIONS.

She smiled. SINCERELY DOUBT THAT.

SOMETIME COMPANION SINCERELY MISSING YOU.

She was about to type something glib, but she found she was touched by his display of vulnerability. Before she could decide how to respond, another message came from him: IMPRESSED BY YOUR INSISTENCE ON SEEING AUTO MECHANIC’S FACE. NOT YOUR NOW TOOTHLESS ATTACKER?

Shocked. Her hands tightened around her phone. WHAT THE HELL? ARE YOU USING MY PHONE TO EAVESDROP ON ME?

WOULDN’T VIOLATE COMPANION’S PRIVACY IN SUCH A CONTEMPTIBLE WAY.

SURE YOU WOULD.

OKAY, POSSIBLY. BUT NOT THIS TIME. TOO CAPTIVATED BY TIGHT-FITTING NAVY-BLUE SLACKS AND SUEDE PUMPS.

“No way!” She said the words aloud.

There was laughter behind her. She turned and saw Adam Lynch standing on the sidewalk five feet behind her. His blue eyes were gleaming with mischief as he tapped his forehead mockingly at her and put away his phone. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”

“What the hell are you doing here?” she asked as he strolled toward her. Dear God, how much she had missed him. She wanted to run to him. But his presence here had been totally invasive and the fact that he had just shown up with no advance notice made her want to shake him. “And what source did you tap this time?”

“Breen.” He was close to her now. “I figured he’d be able to give me the most info in the shortest time. I was in a hurry. I didn’t like what I was hearing.” His lips tightened as he moved even closer. “I like it even less now that I see what you’ve been going through.” His hands were ultra-gentle as they moved caressingly over her throat and cupped her face. “Would it have hurt you to tell me what was happening to you?” he asked roughly. “I told you I couldn’t leave right away.” His fingers were gently probing the wound on her temple. “This is nasty. But you knew I’d be there if you needed me. All you would have to do is let me know. I’ve been wanting to reach out and kick ass ever since Breen told me about the attack on you.”

“And that was what I didn’t want you to do.” She was instinctively leaning into his touch. It wouldn’t hurt to stay like this for a few minutes more. He felt so good… It had been so long. “I took care of it. It’s not as if I need you to watch out for me. I’ve told you before that I know what my place is in your life.”

“Do you? I’ve been thinking and I’m not at all sure that you have any idea.” For a moment his grip tightened on her throat. “I believe you’d better reexamine that belief. Because we might have to have a discussion about it.”

“It wouldn’t be necessary.” She forced herself to step back away from him. “It’s not as if we don’t know that we’re two independent people going our separate ways. Because we’re also friends, you feel a certain responsibility when you see that there might be a certain weakness in my vicinity. That’s also perfectly natural.”

“How logical you are,” Lynch said caustically. “But you also said that you wouldn’t mind if I stepped in if I discovered a way to find those two women who had disappeared. You were quite explicit where that was concerned. I’m sure you’ll recall.”

“I was upset. I would never have insisted you interfere with my business. Any more than I would believe I was capable of going after that crew you were dealing with when you talked to me last. That would annoy you big time if I decided to get in your way.”

“Not necessarily. I can remember a few times that you stepped in to help when I’ve been in trouble.”

So could Kendra. “That was rare, and most of the time we were working together.”

“Too late. The fact remains. You did ask me for help.” He grinned. “I refuse to take it back. You’ll just have to find a way to keep me around. I promise I’ll be gentle with you.” His hand fell away from her face. “Now, the first thing I want to do is go to your condo and search it. I’m very angry about what happened to you while you were wandering around San Diego and getting in trouble. I can’t believe that Breen and Perry didn’t find any decent leads.”

“They’ve found a good many. So have I. We’re waiting on DNA right now. You’re not irreplaceable, Lynch.”

“No, but I’m boundlessly useful on occasion. Admit it.”

“You’re… okay.”

“Oh, that hurt.” He looked back at her. “I’m not going to push you or get in your way. I just want to help you get whatever makes you happy. That’s all I ever wanted.” He was getting into his glossy red Lamborghini, parked just a few feet behind her Toyota 4Runner. “I’ll follow you back to your condo and we’ll have a cup of coffee. I’ll look around and see what I can find that’s interesting. Would it be all right if we invited Olivia up for a drink? I’ve missed her.”

“You know it would be,” Kendra said curtly. “You’re one of her favorite people. Olivia hasn’t been very content with what’s been going on around here. Unlike you, she trusts that I know what I’m doing, but she doesn’t think much of the authorities. She always believes you could handle anything better than they could. She tried to call you a few days ago. She was disappointed you weren’t available.”