Free Last Chance by Christy Reece Page B

off. Shivering, her limbs
    weak, she grabbed the sheet-thin towel and briskly dried her body.
    Her mind was back in automatic mode again as she pulled clothes
    from her duffel, barely noticing their wrinkles. Looking attractive or even
    halfway presentable had ceased to be important years ago. Dressing down
    not only helped her disappear into a crowd more easily, it was a rebellion
    against Damon. How many times had he told her he loved her femininity,
    her girly ways? When she'd finally escaped him, she became the complete
    opposite of what he admired about her. The fact that she couldn't be easily
    recognized had been a small but satisfying snub to the monster. Not that he
    couldt see the result, but looking so plain had given her spirits a boost.
    Besides, looking attractive to anyone wasn't something she wanted anymore.
    Except for Lucas .
    Lucas Kane was the first man in years to stir that kind of emotion in
    her. Sure, there had been men she'd found attractive. Gabe Maddox had
    caused a flutter of her heart every now and then, and Dylan Savage would be
    somewhat amused to know she'd found him attractive, too. Finding a man
    physically attractive was light-years away from what she felt for Lucas.
    There was nothing about Lucas that she didn't find appealing. Not
    only his looks but his commitment to making the world a better place. It
    might sound trite unless you put something behind the words. Lucas did that.
    How could she not admire a man who had every opportunity to be a spoiled,
    careless playboy but chose to do something good and worthwhile with his
    fortune?
    Dressed now, she took a deep breath, knowing she needed to face
    some facts. There was another man she admired, and she had let him down
    mightily. Noah McCall was one of the few people she trusted in this world.
    She pulled her cellphone from her purse. Now she needed to check to see if
    he still trusted her.
    She had one voice mail message...from Noah. McKenna pressed the
    key to retrieve it, refusing to back away or flinch as she waited to hear
    McCall's hard, grim voice telling her she'd never work for him again.
    56
    Christy Reece
    Holding her breath, McKenna listened intently: "Call me."
    Noah wasn't much on long messages or conversations, so she wasn't
    really surprised at the brevity. However, he didn't sound pissed, so that was a
    plus.
    Speed-dialing his number, she waited, her heart a dull thud of dread.
    "'Bout damn time you called in," McCall's gruff voice answered.
    "Been busy."
    "You up for a job?"
    Her heart leaped. Maybe she hadn't totally screwed everything up.
    "Yes."
    "Good. Come here first." He ended the call.
    This wasn't the first time he'd asked her to come to LCR headquarters
    before he offered her an assignment. But it was the first time he'd asked her
    after she'd majorly screwed up the last one. His voice sounded as though
    nothing had happened. No way Dylan hadn't told him. Not only would he
    have to file a report, something Noah required on all ops, but it would be
    totally unprofessional of him not to give Noah full details.
    Despite the fact that she hated for Noah to know what had happened,
    she'd be royally pissed if Dylan hadn't told him.
    No, she was sure McCall knew. Question was, what would happen
    when she arrived in Paris? Noah had asked if she wanted a job, but doubt
    kicked in again. Would she be booted out after all?
    There was only one way to find out. Gathering her few belongings
    together, she headed out the door.
    McKenna stood at the entrance to Noah's office. She told herself that
    life wouldn't be over if he no longer wanted her to work with LCR. After all,
    she had rescued a couple of people before she came across the operation that
    led her to working with LCR. She could do that again. But she couldn't deny
    that it would be a huge blow. Working ops with LCR was the first time she'd
    been a part of something...part of a team. By necessity, she was alone in all
    other areas of her life; this had been one area