Page 7 of Fatal Intent

Rayne gave a slight nod and kissed his jaw. Now it was his turn to shiver. With soft laughter, she released Grant.

He moved back from her, still keeping his body between Rayne and the new cop. “Do you mind taking off these cuffs? I can’t help my girlfriend walk over this rough terrain with my hands like this.” Not only that, but the cuffs were uncomfortable.

“We’ll hold off on that until we get to the station. Your woman can hold on to your upper arm if her balance is off.”

Right. Whatever.

“Come on,” Rayne said. “Since our run was interrupted, let’s go with Officer Shelton so I can get out of the cold.”

Shelton motioned for Grant and Rayne to precede him. While he didn’t blame the officer for not wanting them at his back, Grant wasn’t a fan of having Shelton behind him, and he definitely didn’t like the cop at Rayne’s back. “Get in front of me,” he murmured to Rayne.

Her head whipped toward him, eyebrows raised. When he slowed a step, she slipped in front of him and took the lead toward the patrol cars lined up along the roadway.

Grant glanced at Ace, who watched the procession. “What about our weapons?”

“The detectives will bring them to the station. They’ll want the lab to run ballistics tests on your pistols.”

“As long as we get them back. We use them in our work.”

“Understood.”

“Let’s go,” Shelton snapped. “I need to go back on patrol. We’re slammed tonight.”

In a few strides, Grant caught up with Rayne.

The cop directed them toward the last of the SUVs lining the street. He opened the back door and motioned for them to climb inside.

Grant nudged Rayne into the vehicle first, then awkwardly climbed in after her. He frowned at the discomfort of having his hands cuffed behind his back. Aware the patrol SUV was equipped with recording equipment aimed toward the backseat, he scooted closer to Rayne but remained silent, as did Rayne.

Fifteen minutes later, Officer Shelton parked in the underground garage by the prisoner intake entrance. After shutting off the engine, he opened the back door and waited for Grant to exit the vehicle.

He maneuvered himself out of the SUV and moved back a step so his body was between Rayne and Shelton.

The officer escorted them into the Hartman police station, through a maze of corridors, and down a long hall to the interrogation rooms. Shelton opened one door and motioned the couple inside. “You can wait here for the detectives. They’ll want to ask you questions when they finish at the crime scene.”

Grant raised an eyebrow. “You mind removing the handcuffs now?” Shelton complied, and Grant rubbed his wrists as the cop left the room.

He glanced at the upper-right corner. As he expected, a red light indicating the camera was recording them popped on. Under the table, Grant nudged Rayne with his knee and showed her the camera with a chin lift.

She gave a slight nod.

Good. He hoped she wouldn’t deck him when he acted the part of her boyfriend to cement their cover story to the cops.Truth was, Grant had wanted Rayne for himself since the first time he met the Fortress operative two months earlier. Her steel spine and take-no-prisoners attitude, coupled with her previous career as a cop, ticked all the boxes for him. Not only that, but the mysterious Rayne was breathtakingly beautiful. She just did it for him on every level.

He relaxed against the back of the seat and draped his arm over Rayne’s shoulders. “I’m sorry we weren’t able to run this morning.”

“So am I. Iona will make me run extra miles later today.”

Grant grimaced. “Seth will do the same with me. Neither of them will show us any mercy.”

“Discipline isn’t for the faint of heart.”

“No kidding. We’ll have to cancel our plans for the night. I’m sorry, sweetheart. I’ll make it up to you.”

Rayne glanced at him. “Promise?”

Man, her gorgeous eyes set him on fire, a wildly inappropriate response for their situation. He couldn’t afford the distraction. Any slip-up here would be recorded for the detectives to pick apart at a later time. Grant figured he was already in enough hot water because of his association with Selena. He certainly didn’t need to add to the detectives’ suspicions. “Promise.”

Unable to help himself, Grant cupped Rayne’s nape and drew her in for a light kiss.