Page 18

EIGHTEEN

N othing about this night was going the way he wanted it to. Bryce lifted his head. He’d been so close! But of course the Sosa-like guy’d had a fully loaded gun and a motorcycle stashed behind the trash bins. Bryce’d had to dive to the ground for cover as the stranger sped away in the dark.

He should’ve been faster. Now he was out there again.

Bryce stood up and brushed the gravel and dirt off his jeans. Who knew what?—

“Bryce Crawford, if you’re not dead right now I’m gonna kill you myself.”

He turned to see Penny stomping toward him. She marched from the corner of the building, the wind blowing her long blonde hair off her face, her eyes snapping and full of fire as she headed right for him, heightened color in her cheeks.

Man, she was gorgeous when she was angry.

Well, she was gorgeous any time, but to see her rushing toward him all fury and storm was enough to take his breath away. This was why he couldn’t find a second date. Because no other woman could compare to this. Her energy. Her drive. She was incredible. And once he’d had a taste, no one else was even close. He was stupid to even try. As she drew closer, she pulled back a fist, probably ready to drive it into him.

And that was about the best thing he could ever see.

She wouldn’t be this mad if she didn’t care.

But before she could let it fly, Bryce stepped forward and wrapped an arm around her waist, because now that he knew exactly what he wanted, he wasn’t going to waste any more time.

She cared .

A moment of confusion flashed across her face before he crushed her to himself and kissed her.

For a quick second, she fought it, her mouth rigid, arms stiff.

Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. But then…she melted into him. The hands that had pushed against his chest a moment ago slid up around his shoulders and tangled themselves in his hair. The lips that at first had been hard and unyielding softened against his own and then took over.

And he let her.

How could he not? He was completely at her mercy. He’d go anywhere for this woman. She led him deeper, pulled him in tighter, and the kiss took on a life of its own. It grew hungry, desperate, like she couldn’t get enough. Or maybe that was him. It was hard to tell where he left off and she began.

Then just as suddenly as it started, it stopped. She stepped back gasping, cold night air rushing in between them.

“Why did you do that?” Her whispered words carried a mixture of question, wonder, and maybe a little bit of disbelief. Her eyes narrowed, her hand flying to her mouth almost as if to cover up what had just happened.

He chuckled. “Seemed like a good idea.”

“A good idea?”

He lifted a shoulder. “Seemed like you agreed.”

Her jaw dropped.

Yup. He’d rattled her. And he couldn’t help but grin. Because that meant she felt it too. She’d tried to push him away, pretend that there was nothing there between them, but he had proof now. She’d kissed him back.

And then some.

But before he could tease her about it, she slapped him across the cheek. Hard. Pain shot through the side of his head.

“Wow. I did not see that coming.” He worked his jaw to loosen the sting still there.

“Well, you should’ve. I told you to stay in the van.” Her voice went low, lethal.

“Better watch it, Slugger. The angrier you get, the prettier you are.”

“Argh! You’re impossible. You could’ve died !”

“So you’re worried about me, is that it?” He quirked an eyebrow.

“This isn’t funny, Bryce. You were supposed to stay in the truck. You don’t have a gun. You?—”

“I couldn’t watch and do nothing.” Didn’t she realize that?

“It wasn’t your job to go after him.”

“What was I supposed to do? I saw him.” He pointed toward the street. “He was getting away. And I don’t know who he is, but if there is any connection to Diego Sosa, I’m sure as heck not going to stand by and let him run off. Not after what he did to my family.”

Not that it had done a lot of good.

Penny backed away from him. “You’re too impulsive. You’re gonna get yourself hurt one day.”

“At least I’m doing something.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“It means I’m not gonna pretend anymore.” He moved closer to her. He wasn’t going to let her run again.

She swallowed. “I’m not pretending anything.”

“You’re pretending right now. Pretending I don’t matter to you, that you don’t care. But you can’t fool me, Penny. There’s something here between us. Something good. Something real.”

The quick catch of her breath said he was onto something.

Of course, that’s when Anthony, Izan, and Olivia rounded the corner.

“Did you see him?” Olivia asked. She panted like she’d been running. “He wasn’t out front.”

“He was here. I almost had him, but he had a gun and a motorcycle stashed. I took cover when he shot, and he got away.” Bryce nodded toward the narrow alley between the neighboring buildings.

Penny released a long breath, hands planted on her hips. “You guys got Emma?”

“Jude met us out front and is taking her in right now. He told us to find you. Said we could meet him at the station and do the interrogation there,” Anthony said. He glared at Bryce. Like it was his fault that the gunman had gotten away. But where had Anthony been all this time? He was the one that let the man slip by him in the first place.

The ride in the back of the food truck was quiet and tense. Penny wouldn’t look at Bryce. She even let Tony drive.

That was fine. Bryce would simply bide his time. He may be impulsive like she said. But he also knew what he wanted, and he wasn’t going to give up without a fight. She would see he could also be patient when it was called for.

Patient and persistent. Serious.

Mom was right. He and Penny were good together. He just had to figure out why she ran. Why, even now, she denied their connection and tried so hard to push him away.

Once they reached the police station, Tony brought them in through the back entrance.

“I’m going to change. Meet up with you in a sec.” Olivia veered off from the group.

“What now?” Izan asked.

“You two should go home.” Penny faced them.

Yeah, right. “What are you going to do?”

Anthony tilted his chin toward a short hall. “Jude is getting set up to interrogate Emma. There’s nothing else you guys can do.”

“Aw, come on. Why can’t we sit in on it? We helped you guys find her.” Bryce didn’t know the last time he’d seen Izan so worked up.

“You’re not cops. We can’t have a watch party just for kicks.” Anthony moved closer to Penny as if it were a showdown. If he touched her, there were going to be problems.

“She’s not a cop either.” Izan pointed to Penny. “No offense, Mitchell.”

“I’m not a cop, but I’m working with them and hired by the ATF, who is paying the bill. I may not have authority to do anything, but she has valuable information we need for me to close this case. I have to figure out who her boyfriend is and what they’re up to.”

“Shouldn’t being part of the city task force give us some clout here? This might affect my family.” Bryce took a step closer.

“Sorry. I can’t have you guys sit in on this. It’s up to you if you wanna wait around, but I have a feeling it’s going to be a long night. Might as well go home.” Anthony escorted Penny away. He didn’t seem too upset at leaving them out in the cold, either, and having Penny to himself.

“You know, I pictured tonight going a lot differently.” Izan sighed and walked toward the direction of the lobby.

“You and me both.” Bryce cracked his knuckles and followed. He might not be in on the interrogating, but he wasn’t leaving this place until he had some answers.