Code Name: Kayla's Fire by Natasza Waters Read Free Book Online

blow away. Thane’s hand came down on her wrist, and she yanked it
away. “Captain, you’ve done more for me than I deserve. I’m asking you to stand
down. I don’t want you chasing the Shark any more.”
    Thane wound his hand
around the nape of her neck. “Never going to happen, sweetheart, and neither is
you getting on a plane with Lapierre.”
    His muscles contracted
under her hand as she tried to push away. “I want you to go back to work.”
    “You’re serious,” he
breathed out. “Kayla—”
    “If you won’t stop
chasing the Shark, then I have to leave.” She clutched his pendant and drew it
over her head, placing it on the table in front of him. “I will never forget
your kindness, but it’s time for you to walk away, Captain Austen.”
    There. Done. He stared
at her, his expression a sheet of confusion. “Kayla, we need to talk about
this, don’t— ” He stared down at his trident, and then up at her.
    No more words. Cutting
this off now was the right thing, and she headed for the stairs.
    The restaurants and
shops began to glow with strings of lights twined around potted cypress trees
and dangled across every entryway as the sun fell behind the hills. Music
poured from the venues butted next to each other. The nighttime ambiance hung
in the air, and dusted everyone but her. She turned right down the main drag
walking quickly. Tears rained down her cheeks. She had nothing to cry about,
certainly not Thane.
    Keeping her head bowed,
she ploughed down the sidewalk. Thane fell in step with her, and she
immediately turned left away from him. He followed silently. She halted near
the end of the road beside the Old Town San Diego State Park. A restored hotel
and a couple of museums skirted the edges. “Stop following me.”
    “And then what?” he
said reaching for her, swiping her tears away with his thumbs. “I don’t want
you living in fear. This ends now, and I know I can end it.”
    “Captain, I’m not going
to live.”
    Strong fingers clenched
her waist, the angst in his features clear. “I know you have more mettle in you
than that.”
    Resting her hand on his
heart, she tried again. “I’m being realistic, Captain. I want you to set a trap
for him, and I want you to use me. I know you know how to do that.”
    “I’m going to catch
him, Kayla, but I won’t put you in danger. So don’t ask me again, because the
answer will always be no.” She pushed as he pulled her tighter to his chest.
“Do you really think you’re going to send me packing just because you’re all
bristly? I’m used to tough, little lady.”
    A grin creased his lips,
and it ticked her off. “You are going packing—like a mule,” she said tersely.
“You’ve had your fun, and so have I. Now you’re going to hit the road.”
Uncertainty flashed in his eyes before he released his grip. Looking into the
darkness, she bit down on the disappointment in her heart. In a second, he’d be
gone, but she wouldn’t hear his feet on the gravel walkway. The Ghost would
draw his men back, and let NCIS do their job.
    She jumped when he
clutched her. “You’re scared,” he said, against her ear.
    “So what? I’m not
allowed to be scared knowing what’s going to happen to me?” she snapped at him.
    “Not of the Shark.”
    “Go home, Captain.” She
continued to stare out at the lights of Old Town. Somewhere, in the darkness
the Shark was planning and unraveling. All she needed to do was put herself in
the open and he’d come. A chill ran up her spine, the killer’s mind had to be
twisting with impatience by now.
    “If you’re not afraid,
then I’m taking you home with me.” He kissed her cheek tenderly. “I haven’t had
a decent night’s sleep in a week, and it’s because you’re not next to me.”
    “Then call Miss
Sweater-too-tight for company.”
    “I don’t want the
secretary. I want you. I want us.”
    “You’ve had me, now
move on,” she said harshly. He pointed a finger at her, but before he