Flashback (Kendra Michaels #11)

He met her gaze as he started the Lamborghini. “Was that before or after you got that nasty bruise? We both know that I would have made myself available if she’d gotten through to me. All you would have had to do was send word.”

“That I needed you? Take you away from your assignment?” She shook her head. “That’s not the way we’ve ever handled our relationship. That’s the last thing I wanted.” She shrugged. “And I made sure that Olivia didn’t find out about that little tap I got. She wouldn’t have understood.” She made a face. “As it was, she was constantly trying to set me up with Bill Dillingham as my bodyguard.”

“Bill?” He started to chuckle. “He’s a good man. However, you might say that his qualifications are a little lacking in that area.”

“He wouldn’t agree with you. And I admire his willingness to try to help me.” She lifted her chin. “I even told him that when the situation got a little more on an even keel, I might call on him.”

“Which pleased him, I’m sure,” Lynch said. “And if that’s what you want, I’ll go along with it. Even if I have to keep an eagle eye on him. Anything you want, Kendra.”

“You’re being very agreeable.” Kendra’s lips twisted. “Not like you at all, Lynch.”

“It’s sheer terror. Did it occur to you that you scared the shit out of me when Breen told me about the attack on you?” He added teasingly, “You’ve got me where you want me, even if it’s acting as old Bill’s guardian.”

“That’s not where I want you.” She was scowling. “Haven’t you been listening to me?”

“You want your independence. You want me to go away,” he said quietly. “But I can’t do that, Kendra. Not until I know you’re going to be safe. I don’t like the company you’re keeping. So you’ll have to put up with me. I’m not going to cause you any trouble or get in your way. But it’s too late to send me packing. So take me to your place and give me a cup of coffee. Then we’ll talk and you can fill me in on everything you know about the case. It’s nothing different than we’ve done before.”

“It’s different,” she said. It was always different when she was with him. It had been different from the first time she had met him.

“Okay, maybe it is,” he said. “But like I said, it’s too late to send me packing. You’ll just have to put up with it until we bring the bad guys home.”

“I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to do,” she said jerkily.

“No, you don’t. But you will. Because I promised to help you find those two women who might have given their lives to find their mother’s killer. You’d think that would be worthwhile.”

“Yes, I would.”

“My promise is still good, Kendra. I don’t break my word.”

“I know you don’t.” Her voice was shaking. “You’ve never broken your word to me. That’s not what this is all about.”

“No, it’s about you being damnably stubborn and not letting me help you. I’ve already given you my word, now let me run interference until I get you safely inside your condo. Is that too much to ask?”

“No, only completely unnecessary and annoying.” His chin was hardening and she’d seen that expression before.

Give it up for the time being.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake.” She turned and walked toward her Toyota. “Just follow me to the condo and I’ll tell you what I know about the case. But it’s my case, Lynch.”

“It’s your case,” he repeated. “I’m not arguing that point. I wouldn’t dare.”

“Don’t tell me that. You’d dare anything,” she said. She climbed into her Toyota, started it, and tore off down the road toward the freeway.

CHAPTER

8

Kendra was already sitting in her usual parking spot when Lynch’s Lamborghini took center stage a few minutes later. Kendra jumped out and headed for the elevator. “I’ll see you up at the condo. If I remember correctly, everyone in the parking lot has to swoon over that blasted Lamborghini of yours after you park it.”

“No problem.” He threw his keys to Pauley, the garage attendant. “Take good care of it. I’ll be up in the condo.”

Pauley grabbed the keys eagerly. “You bet I will, Mr. Lynch. Okay if I wax it?”

“Carnauba paste?”

“Of course. Nothing but the best for such a fine piece of machinery.”

“Thanks, Pauley. I’ll reimburse you.” He was already getting in the elevator with Kendra.