Texas Lightning. Gerry Bartlett
right. I just didn’t foresee that anyone would be this bold. Would actually take such a step.”
“Well, they did. The woman who took Anna’s backpack was close enough to touch her, Ron.” King opened one of the French doors to breathe in some fresh air. “Right then she and her partner could have made a move and we would have been hard-pressed to stop them.”
“You want me to send a security team over there? When I send the computers and phone?” Ron was finally sounding serious.
“Yes. To sit at my gate. Once the bad actors figure out they can’t get into her encrypted files, I would expect them to come after Anna herself.” King turned when he heard a gasp behind him. “Now get the lead out.” He hung up and saw Anna standing in the doorway. She’d obviously taken a quick shower and wore what he recognized as his sister’s workout clothes.
Anna’s hair was wet and slicked back from her face. The tank top clung to her breasts and she wore yoga pants that flopped around her bare feet. What Karen called comfortable Anna made look sexy. King realized he’d just terrified her with what he’d said to Ron.
“Hey, I’m sorry you heard that.” He walked over to stand in front of her.
“I’m not. I need to know the truth.” She nodded toward the bar and his empty glass. “Can I have one of those?”
“Scotch?” He picked up the bottle he’d poured from.
“I’d prefer whiskey.” She moved around him and reached for the bottle of Jameson he kept on hand. “I’m Irish.”
“Well then.” King pulled out a glass and watched her pour a healthy measure before he gave himself a refill. “Have a seat. Ron is sending what you need and some security. I don’t know why it’s taking him so long.”
She sat then sipped her drink. “Oh, that’s good. It’s Saturday. Maybe that’s why. We just added a laptop and phone to the order too.” She took another sip then tucked her legs under her on the leather sofa. “I feel safe here. Maybe that’s stupid but I’m going with it.”
King just swallowed his own drink and watched her. Strong whiskey and she didn’t even flinch. Interesting. And the way that tank slid around on her shoulder, it was obvious she hadn’t bothered with a bra. Hot damn. Was she sending him a signal? Doubtful. He wasn’t taking advantage of her after the trauma she’d gone through today, even though she was tempting as hell. When her dog scampered out from the kitchen, Conchita close behind, he was glad he’d stayed on his side of the living room.
“Snacks. Then I will take this sweet pup outside for a little walk on the grounds.” Conchita set a tray of crackers, cheese, and a few of her special nibbles on the coffee table between them. “Anna told me you’re expecting a delivery, King. I will tell Douglas to wait by the gate for it.”
“Be careful, Conchita. And tell Doug that there will be a security team setting up outside the gate. They’re being sent by Zenon, Anna’s company. No one is to come through, not even the delivery guys. Doug should have them set the computers inside. The people who robbed Anna might think she’s the real prize here.” King got up and took a plate, loading it with cheese, crackers, and a couple of stuffed jalapeños. When YoYo begged for a bite, sitting up on his hind legs, he dropped a piece of cheese into his mouth.
Conchita put her hands on her hips and looked fierce. “I’ll get my gun right now and tell Doug to strap on his. No one gets past us and your security system, King. So you both can relax and enjoy your drinks. We will take care of you here. Never doubt it.” She told the same thing to King in Spanish using stronger language, which made him smile.
King answered in the same language, ignoring Anna’s raised eyebrows. He didn’t want either of his employees, who he’d known for years, taking chances.
“Thanks, Conchita, and thanks for walking my dog.” Anna rubbed YoYo’s ears. “Maybe I should go somewhere else. I don’t want anyone getting hurt on my account.”
“Nonsense. King wants you here and we are happy to have something to do. There are too many days when we are alone here. A little action? Doug will be in his element, fighting off bad guys. You will understand when you meet my man.” The housekeeper picked up YoYo, then disappeared out the way she’d come.
“I hope you told her in Spanish not to take any chances.” Anna sighed and reached for the plate of snacks.
“I did. Now you be careful of those green things. They’re spicy.” King bit into his, enjoying the burst of heat and flavor but not sure someone from Boston would like it.
Anna seemed to take that as a dare and raised one of the peppers to her lips. One bite and she flushed, gulping down the rest of her drink. She fanned her face. “You weren’t kidding. What did I just eat?”
King told her then took her a glass of water. She drank it down then stood and walked over to look out the wide glass doors and the view of the lake.
“Thanks. You have a beautiful home, King. I appreciate this.”
He stood beside her. “We’ll eat outside later, when it’s cooler. Winter will come back, you know. I’m sure Karen has left a jacket or coat in her closet. You’re welcome to whatever you need.”
She turned and looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “I’m sorry you’ve been dragged into this. It’s sounding dangerous.”
He brushed the tank top strap that had fallen off her shoulder back into place. Too tempting, too soon.
“I’m glad I came along when I did. You didn’t need to go through this alone.” He turned her back to face the lake, holding her against him. “Now look out there where the sun is starting to set. I always find it soothing just to stare at that beautiful sight for a while. There are steps down the side of the hill to the boat dock. It’s a long way, but I wanted water access. I have a runabout. I use it more in the summer when I’m in town.”
“You’re right. It’s very nice.” She swayed against him. “That drink wasn’t my best idea. I’m fading fast, despite the jalapeño jolt.”
“Why don’t you head to your room and lie down for a while then? I’ll wake you when the computers get here. Or later, when it’s time for dinner.” King kept his arms around her. She fit just right.
“Thanks, I will.” She brushed her hand over his shirtfront. “See you later, cowboy.” She patted him, just like she would her dog, then staggered away, down the hall toward her bedroom.
King watched the sway of her hips until she was out of sight and he heard her bedroom door close. He turned to stare out at his million-dollar view again. For once, it didn’t soothe him at all. Water access. Yeah. Someone could bring in a boat and climb up those stairs. He had alarms on all the doors but disabling those was child’s play for a professional. Shit. Now he had something new to worry about.
Chapter Three
“Delivery just arrived.” Conchita came in carrying a laptop with a phone balanced on top. “Douglas is still down at the gate. You might want to get the other four-wheeler and meet him. There are quite a few components to the computer system. Guess Anna needs all of that.” She set her two pieces on the coffee table. “I’m getting dinner started. Anna told me you two had a big lunch on Sixth Street. Any preferences for dinner?”
“Whatever you have on hand. She’s new to Austin, so she might like to try some of your good Mexican food.” King strode toward the garage. “Let’s set her up in the library. I bet she’ll like the view from there if she ever looks up from her keyboard.”
“Where will you work?” Conchita frowned.
“Don’t worry about it. I came to town to meet with a few legislators about that agricultural bill. At least one of them is playing hard to get. When I’m sure she’s safe enough here, I’ll head back to the capitol and get in some faces, make my pitch. I won’t even be here all the time.” King