InTooDeep by Rachel Carrington Read Free Book Online Page A

challenge.”
    The response gave her pause. She’d never
liked limited options. Time for some recon. “You don’t really want to arrest
me, Hunt. You and I both know that.”
    He dangled the handcuffs from the tip of
his index finger. “It’s okay by me if you want to kill some time.”
    She wanted to hit him like she had the
first night she’d met him. This time she’d probably enjoy it more. “If all I
wanted was to kill time, I could think of more pleasant ways to do it.” Tipping
her head to one side, she studied him with a long look of her own that did its
job. Hunt shifted from one foot to the other and she resisted the urge to
smile.
    A muscle in his jaw twitched but otherwise
he showed no outward expression. “Why are you really here, Carley? Is there
some big score? You got a job to do? Let me guess. Some rich bastard has a
Monet coming and you’re here to make sure your client gets it instead. How did
I do?”
    Her eyes flashed, her temper beginning a
slow boil. She wasn’t used to being interrogated. It wasn’t a feeling she cared
for. Regardless of what Hunt Brandon thought of her, she was far more than just
a common criminal. She was an artist, one who took great pride in her work and,
while illegal, it never harmed the innocent.
    “Go to hell.” She jerked her head toward
the door. “I believe it’s that way.”
    In two strides he stood before her, not
touching her, just staring down at her from his height advantage. He leaned in
and the warm aroma of aftershave engulfed her, momentarily distracting her.
    “I’ll go, but I’m taking you with me.”
    Her heart began to pump wildly in time with
her temper. Control slipped another notch then faded from her grasp completely
when cold steel circled her wrist. She tried to pull away but Hunt was too
fast, already tugging the other arm behind her back as well.
    “Hunt, don’t do this.” She’d known she was
taking a risk when she approached him but her contact had assured her he was
fair, that he wouldn’t judge her in spite of his career.
    “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t.”
    “Faron gave me your name.” She used the
only ace in the hole she had—the name of her contact.
    Still holding her wrist, Hunt stepped back
to see her face. “How do you know Faron?”
    “He works with me.”
    “You’re lying. Faron’s not a thief.”
    “No, but he’s one hell of a technology
wizard. How do you think I broke into the Metropolitan Museum of Art without
getting caught? He knows more about computers than Bill Gates ever will. If you
don’t believe me, call him. His number’s in my cell.”
    “I know his fucking number,” Hunt snapped,
his eyes blazing. “He was my father’s best friend.”
    “I know.” She hadn’t wanted to tell him,
had promised Faron she wouldn’t but she’d run out of options.
    Hunt dropped her wrist. “Why would he give
you my name?”
    “Because he knew I needed someone I could
trust if my sister was in trouble.”
    “You don’t even know if she is. So why take
the chance? Why come to a cop for help when you know you could be risking your
own freedom?”
    “I’d risk anything for Dani.”
    His index finger touched her chin, lifted
it so he could look into her eyes. “You’re serious.” His deep voice carried
only the barest hint of disbelief.
    She tipped her head back, challenging him
with her gaze. “Even thieves can love. Now will you help me?”
    He continued to study her for a long
moment, his gaze never wavering off hers. “Yes.”
    His response took her aback. She’d expected
more questions, more indecision, but one look at Hunt’s face told her he was as
serious as she.
    She wasn’t sure the exact moment his
expression changed and lust flared into his eyes but the second it happened her
breath stalled in her lungs. His gaze dropped to her lips and she licked them,
wiping away the dryness. Her blood pounded in her ears as he closed the
remaining inches of space between them.