Free Misha: Lanning's Leap by Kathi S. Barton Page B

it’s important or she wouldn’t bother you.”
    He felt both stupid and pissed at the same time , and could figure out neither feeling as he moved down the hall to a small room. Hannah was sitting in a wheelchair with a blanket over her arm and leg when he walked in. The door closed behind him as soon as he went inside.
    “I’ve signed your papers.” He nodded and took the offered envelope. “I just have one question for you.”
    “Of course. But if you want to have more, then you’re going to have to postpone this meeting. I’m not agreeing to anything without my lawyer writing it up.” She nodded. “You want more?”
    “No. I just…may I have a job?” He was confused by the question , and she seemed to know it. “I’d like to have a job when I can get around. I would like something of my own. Something I can do without causing you embarrassment.”
    “Of course. If you have the time that is.” She nodded. “What else? Surely you have other demands of me. I’m a very wealthy man, Miss Oliver. But I won’t be taken advantage of.”
    “There’s nothing else.” He waited for the “But I want ,” but there was nothing more. When she told him she was ready and asked him to step into the hall so she could finish getting dressed, he walked out. The nurse who had come for him told him to go back to the lobby and wait. Misha was sitting on the couch before he could think to ask her why she really wanted a job. He told himself it was so she could be pitiful, but doubted she’d own up to that.
    He was able to get some work done or he might have been in a worse mood when five hours later, Rider and his mother came down the hall. Stuffing everything in his briefcase , he stood up and watched as his mom moved by him to the door. He looked at Rider.
    “I think she did well. I was very proud of her for thinking about each question before she answered. She was clear and explained everything to them when they asked , and she even told them why going back to her mother was going to be bad for her. I think she’ll be out soon.” Misha nodded and when Rider stepped around him, he stopped him.
    “When?” Rider looked confused. “When will she be moving into my house? I mean, I need to make arrangements for her.”
    “They said it would be a week before they had a final determination. If you’re interested, she’s being moved to a regular hospital within the hour. Apparently someone said something about having someone as injured as her in a long-term facility that provides special care.” Misha started to ask who, but Rider answered him first. “I don’t know who did it, but I would say it was Carter if I had to guess. He’s been visiting her every day, apparently.”
    Misha didn’t know what to say, so he said nothing. Rider left the building a few minutes later, and Misha did as well. He thought about going to see Hannah again but wasn’t sure what he’d say to her that hadn’t already been said. Instead, he went home and called around for furniture. If she came to his home in the next few weeks, he should have something for her to sleep in. After he was finished, he sat at his computer and tried to get some work done.
    It was nearly midnight when Misha stood up. He’d gotten very little done in the hours since he’d been sitting there. More than that, all he’d been able to think about was Carter going to see his mate. He wondered if she was pumping him for information about his account, and doubted that almost as soon as he thought about it. Carter might be mad at him, but he’d never betray him. Misha went up to bed and tried to get some sleep. The call came just after two in the morning.
    He rolled out of bed taking notes on the murders even as he reached for Rider and the others. Dressed and packed, he was waiting in his kitchen when the rest of them showed up. Within minutes they were on the road.
    “Two women dead and three more missing. They think that whoever this is, he works alone. The