Free Archer by Debra Kayn

He inhaled, held his breath, and let it out when he stepped away. “Clean up, finish whatever it is you’re accomplishing here, and come to me.” He studied her.
    She stood where he left her. He swiped his tongue over his bottom lip, still tasting her. Then he turned and strolled out of the room. Halfway down the hall, Bluff walked out of the spare bedroom. Kage picked her up and carried her with him.
    “Better give her some space, cat. If the real Janie is still there, the kitchen’s going to be a dangerous place to be in a few—”
    A clatter filled the house, followed by the oven door slamming shut and a frustrated squeal. He smiled and walked into the room. “Nailed that one.”
    After he settled Bluff on the bed, he took his laptop to the chair in the corner, propped his feet on the end of the bed, and powered on. Garrett had Jane’s personal account forwarded to him through the agency’s computer, so they could keep an eye on any communication from her ex-boyfriend. He hoped to get an idea of Carson’s location through his Internet service provider.
    An email message popped up and he clicked on it.
    If I see you sleeping with that asshole again, you’ll owe me, sweetheart. Soon. S.
    His feet went to the floor, and he tossed the laptop onto the bed, grabbing his phone off the dresser to call the hotline.
    “Yo.” Lance answered.
    “We’ve got a hot trail. Pull up Jane’s email account and trace the ISP and any other info you can find. Make a record of the email.” He stalked to the end table, turned out the light, then backed to the window. He peeled back the curtain and peered out into the darkness.
    The floodlight from the old barn lit up the front yard. He scanned the road, the driveway, the vacant landscape.
    The night was quiet, not even a shadow or a lone car coming down the lane. He focused in on the rhododendron bushes blocking the mailbox from the house. He should’ve cut them down months ago. The overgrown bushes were an eyesore but, more important, they were big enough to hide a small car.
    “Got it. It’s a phone service through a local tower. Hang on again.” A series of beeps came over the phone.
    Kage closed the drapes. “Put a call in to Garrett. I want backup.”
    “Already done.” Lance cussed. “Okay, his phone’s untraceable. He’s using a prepaid throwaway.”
    “Figures.” Kage picked up his gun off the dresser, shoved in into the back of his jeans. “I’m going out.”
    “Jane?” Lance asked.
    “Kitchen. Tell Garrett I’m setting the alarm and he should meet me outside.” He disconnected.
    Kage slipped on his leather jacket as he made his way back into the kitchen. Jane turned, and he ducked as she threw a cookie in his direction.
    “I know what you’re trying to do.” She glared. “It’s not going to work a second time.”
    He shut off the kitchen light and walked toward her, knowing she’d be blind in the dark. Her surprise bought him a couple seconds of quiet.
    “What are you—?”
    He covered her mouth with his before releasing her quickly. “Quiet and listen. Can you do that?” When she nodded, he continued. “Scott contacted you by email, and there’s a good chance he’s found your location.”
    “How do you know that?” She grabbed onto his jacket.
    “From what he wrote in the email to you. Lance hacked into your information a few days ago and is directing everything from your inbox to my laptop.”
    She gasped. He shushed her. “I’m going outside and taking a look around. I want you to follow the wall to your right and go into the living room. Do not turn on the lights. Understand?”
    “Please don’t go outside,” she said. “You can’t leave me, I’m scared.”
    “Listen to me. You’ll be fine. Once I’m out, you’ll set the alarm, and I’ll be within distance to hear it if it goes off,” he said. “I wouldn’t leave you if I thought there was any way for him to get in the house without me noticing.”
    “I really need