Page 122 of Risky Obsession

“Why would you do that?” he bellowed.

“It was a job, that’s all. I took it before I knew you.”

“You’re unbelievable.” He strode away.

“Kane. Wait. Please.” I chased after him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know who you were when I accepted this job from Aria. I wanted to tell you.”

“When did you want to tell me, Tory? Lacey. Fuck.”

“When I got to know you. Aria was wrong not to trust you.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t give a fuck about her.” He spun to me. “Or you. Fuck!” The tendons in his neck bulged.

“I’m sorry. I was just doing my duty. You know what that’s like. You were in the Navy.”

He charged away again. “I thought I could trust you!”

I chased after him, yanking my case over the gravel. “You can trust me. Ask me anything. I’ll tell you the truth. I promise.”

“No, you’re a liar. I can never believe you.”

I sprinted to him and gripped his arm. “Kane, please, let me explain.”

He yanked his arm from my grip. “Get away from me.”

He marched off, taking long, angry strides.

I sprinted after him, cursing my stupid case. “Kane. Please? When I took his job, I was told you weren’t to be trusted.”

“So you betrayed me.”

“Yes, and I hate myself for it.” I spoke to his back. “It was just a job, but I . . . I’m falling for you.”

He released a scornful laugh. “Oh, that’s rich. Don’t give me that bullshit.”

“It’s true.” Strangling the handle of my suitcase, I sprinted to catch up and raced in front of him. I dropped my case and raised my hands. “Please, will you just hear me out?”

His duffle thumped to the dirt. Clenching his fists, he released a demonic growl.

Wind rustled the leaves around us, and the moon emitted an eerie glow, casting shadows beneath his eyebrows and nose, adding darkness to his furious scowl.

“My name is Lacey Brooks. I have been a police officer for nearly ten years. A couple of weeks ago, I was attacked while trying to apprehend a suspect and he dislocated my fingers and gave me those bruises you saw. My boss forced me to take time off work to recover.” I rambled, desperate to get my words out quickly. “I was furious because I can’t take time out or . . . or my mind—anyway, Aria sold me an idea to go undercover as a treasure hunter to work with you. I didn’t know who you were. I didn’t know how nice, decent, and honest you were. I never asked enough questions. I just took the job.”

He folded his arms over his chest. “You should have told me.”

“I wanted to.”

“When, Tory? Lacey. When you cried in my arms? After we fucked?”

He said it like our sex was dirty, and my chest caved.

“Yes, Kane, both times. I should have told you, and I hate myself for not doing it.” I reached for him.

“Don’t.” He snapped his arm away.

“Kane. Please?”

“Please what? Forget that you’ve been lying to me? After what I told you about women lying to me all the time.”