Stolen Lives (Blood Brothers Book 1) by Manda Mellett Read Free Book Online

face.
    “Cara, listen. I’m going to look into those survey reports further. Something is going on and if my suspicions are right, there’s something, or someone, very big behind it. I don’t know what you might have got yourself mixed up with. You haven’t told anyone else what you’ve found, have you? Your friends at Scotland Yard?”
    I shake my head; there’s no one else I’ve got this sort of relationship with, no one with whom I would discuss anything like this. He’s waiting for my verbal denial, so I give it to him. “I promise I haven’t said a word. And I cleaned up after myself; there’s no trace I’ve been near Benting’s systems.”
    After a moment of searching my face, he nods his approval, reading that I’ve given him an honest answer.
    “Cara, I’m going to take this to the team at Grade A and see what they think, and whether it’s worth delving deeper or whether it’s something to worry about. Will you give me some time to try to get to the bottom of this? And, in the meantime, will you be very careful?” He puts up his hand to stop my protest, clearly seeing I was going to tell him again that I didn’t see any reason to be cautious. With a huff, I swallow the words.
    It’s no problem for me to agree to take care. I rarely go out, and my home is a place of safety; Grade A installed the security for me. At Hunter’s instigation, of course, another example of him being my protector. No one would be getting in without Grade A being alerted. My nod of agreement seems to reassure him.
    “I’m going to be out of circulation for a while, but here,” he reaches into his pocket, selects a business card and hands it to me. “If anything suspicious happens, give this number a call.”
    I take the card, noting it is the direct line to Ben Carter, the senior partner of Grade A.
    “When we put this to bed, I’m going to drag you out of command central myself. No arguments. So be prepared to get your glad rags on.” Hunter tells me with a smile. His worry seems to have diminished with my lack of argument.
    “Oh, Hunter,” I tell him. “Not gonna happen.” Having a panic attack in the middle of a busy pub isn’t something I wish to repeat.
    He looks at me carefully. “Yes, it will. I won’t let you say no.” Glancing down at his watch, he frowns. “Hey, I didn’t realise the time. I’ve got to love you and leave you, pet. I’ll be in touch as soon as I can, but please, please think about what I’ve said.”
    As he gets to his feet he pulls me with him. He holds me at arm’s length, looking down into my eyes. I can’t remember ever having seen him so serious. His hands tighten as if to emphasise the point. “Set the alarm system after I’ve gone. And be extremely careful who you open the door to. If you don’t know them, don’t open it. Any more strange contact from Amahad, anything that worries you; ring Ben.”
    I’m perplexed by the way the whole afternoon has gone. I don’t understand why he’s acting like a bear with a stick up his arse. Amahad is halfway round the world and I do all my work remotely. Cara Carson has absolutely nothing to do with Joseph Benting. Hunter is exaggerating a non-existent risk. But, acknowledging he’s genuinely concerned, I nod to reassure him.
    My gesture isn’t enough for him. He takes a grip of my chin. “I need words, Cara.”
    “OK, Hunter. I’ll be careful. I promise.”
    He tilts my head up and looks into my eyes as if measuring the sincerity he sees there. What he sees must satisfy him.
    “Keep in touch, Cara. If anything unusual happens, let me know. I might have to go away for a while, but I’ll get someone in the office to keep you informed of anything we find. And, pet, please stay out of the Amahadian systems!”
    I give him a gentle thump on the arm to show my frustration. I’ve given him my word I’ll be careful; that should be enough. With a fond smile, he gives me a hug, pecks me on the cheek, and then takes his