Hot on Her Heels by Susan Mallery Read Free Book Online

unexpected reaction, considering her past.
    She walked into his office, her head held high, the set of her shoulders determined. She wore a plain blue shirt tucked into jeans, and boots.
    â€œNo uniform?” he asked by way of greeting.
    â€œI wasn’t kidding about taking a leave of absence.”
    She didn’t wear makeup or earrings or anything remotely feminine. There was a toughness about her. A wariness. He wondered if she knew her determination to never show a soft side only made him more aware that there was something she was trying to hide.
    She was the kind of woman who gave as good as she got. Which made him think about her naked. Notjust because he was intrigued by the concealed curves, but because she would expect to take charge. It would be a battle of wills…which was the kind of battle he most enjoyed.
    â€œI hope the Titan sisters appreciate all you’re doing for them,” he said, leading her to the sofas by the corner of the large office.
    â€œWe look out for each other. That’s what friends do. Not that you would know anything about that.”
    â€œSpeaking of which…” He glanced at his watch. “Nick should be here soon.”
    Something flashed in her brown eyes and was gone before he could read it. “Nick’s not coming. Izzy called me while I was driving over. Something came up.”
    Garth knew nothing showed on his face. He was a master at keeping his thoughts to himself, so she couldn’t know he was disappointed. Nick had every reason to be pissed as hell at him, but Garth had hoped to lure his former friend to his office with news about Izzy. He’d thought they would have a chance to talk. Apparently Nick wasn’t ready to move on.
    Garth knew he only had himself to blame. He’d crossed the line and betrayed a friend. He might regret what he’d done, but he couldn’t change what had happened.
    â€œThen it’s just the two of us,” he said, motioning to one of the sofas.
    Dana sat down. He settled next to her and reached for the folder on the glass coffee table.
    â€œI’ve been investigating the explosion on the oil rig,” he said, passing Dana the latest report from his private investigator. “I don’t have proof yet, but I suspect that Jed is at the heart of this. The guy who set the explosion is Cuban—a known expert. Currently he’s working out of Mexico. My people are tracing the payments. He didn’t use a Swiss bank, so that’s in our favor. We should be able to get information on who paid, but it’s taking time.”
    Dana stared at him. “Meaning you couldn’t hack into a Swiss bank, but you can get into a different one? Can you give me the name so I don’t put my money there?”
    â€œWe don’t hack in,” he told her. “We get information.”
    â€œA subtle difference.”
    â€œLife is nuance.”
    â€œThanks for the tip, but you’re not the Zen master and I’m not your little grasshopper.”
    He stared at her, noting the flecks of gold in her irises. “Someone didn’t get her coffee this morning. Should I order some?”
    â€œI’m not an idiot.”
    â€œSince when does coffee imply stupid?”
    She glared at him. “You know what I mean.”
    â€œI haven’t got a clue.”
    The muscles in her jaw tensed. He’d annoyed her, which was fun on many levels.
    â€œYou take yourself too seriously,” he told her.
    â€œYou’re getting on my last nerve. I’m armed. Don’t mess with me.”
    The thought of her with a gun didn’t bother him in the least.
    â€œWe could wrestle for it,” he suggested.
    For a second he thought she was going to actually spit in rage. Instead she drew in a breath and picked up the folder.
    â€œIs there anything else?” she asked, her voice tight with suppressed annoyance.
    â€œYes.” He tapped the second folder.