Free Collector's Item by Denise Golinowski Page A

a deep breath. She had to say it. “Unless he was confident she wouldn’t try to escape at all. Unless she was there willingly.”
    Her father nodded and turned back to face her, the muscles around his eyes and mouth tight. Anger simmered just beneath the surface of the Marant Alpha’s blank expression. “My thoughts exactly. I agree that Patricia’s presence in Torne’s car is highly suspicious. Someone in the Alliance is helping the Collectors, and Patricia is about as well placed as anyone.” His expression softened. “Your mother would be shattered.”
    KT sank back against the cushions. “I know. And, horrible as it may sound, I pray we do find Aunt Patricia locked up somewhere on that compound. I can’t believe she’s a traitor.”
    Her father slipped his arm around her shoulder and she leaned against him. “You were both so close at one time.” He rubbed her arm, his hand warm on her skin, comforting. “In the meantime, I want you to come back to the compound. If you saw her, she certainly saw you, and she’ll know she’s been tagged. You’re going to be a target.”
    For a moment, KT wished she could do what he asked, wished that she could go home and let her father take care of everything, but those days had ended the morning she left the compound to come to New York. The last of her confusion and denial faded and her mind cleared.
    Those days ended when I met Peyton Allers .
    “I have to wait until Peyton is awake and on the mend,” she said, her voice carrying her own version of the “Marant edge.” “Patricia and Torne aren’t going to do anything right away. I’ll come home in a few days. If the apartment is packed up, then I’ll stay at the penthouse. I’ll even accept a body-guard.”
    “Damn straight you will,” her father growled.
    KT stiffened, but knew his concern was well-meant and the precaution necessary. “Send the jet for me in two days and I’ll be at the hangar. I promise.”
    Anton Marant took a deep breath, looked at her, and then nodded.

Chapter Eight
    After she saw her father to the elevator, KT returned to Peyton’s room to find him awake and alert—at last. Cautious shadows filled his light brown eyes as he watched her stop just inside the door.
    Alpha! Andi pushed against KT to force her closer. KT held her position, though her pulse leaped into overdrive.
    Not now! “You’re awake,” KT said, unable to think of a single original thing.
    “Yes.” His voice, weak as it was, sent a jolt through her body.
    KT reached up to tuck back a piece of hair that had escaped the knot at the nape of her neck. Her grandmother had often used the gesture to gain time or save face.
    Exasperated, Andi settled into the background. Humans!
    More composed, KT approached the end of the bed to rest her hands on the footboard. “How’re you feeling?”
    “I’ve been shot. How’d you think I feel?” A crooked smile took any sting out of the words, and she permitted herself a small smile in response. Seeing him awake and hearing his voice eased some of the knots in her chest and shoulders.
    KT gestured toward the door. “Do you want me to call someone? Do you need anything?”
    He shook his head. She stepped around the bed to the bedside table with its plastic pitcher and cup. “Would you like a little water?”
    “Thank you,” he said, his gaze guarded, his expression impossible to decipher. When she handed him the cup, she tried not to react to the tingle when his fingers brushed against hers. She pulled the bedside chair around and sat down so she could face him.
    When he spoke again, his voice was stronger. “So? Did they catch Torne?”
    She shook her head. “No, he’s gone to ground.”
    “Damn!” A faint crack of protest from the cup in his hand brought KT’s attention to his face. His expression smoothed, but she could feel the anger boiling beneath the façade.
    She hurried to add. “The Alliance is getting search warrants for all his properties.”
    Peyton