Free Collector's Item by Denise Golinowski Page B

nodded. “If your aunt is anywhere, she’ll be on the ranch. Collectors secure their prizes immediately. Disappear them.”
    KT plucked at her skirt and then flattened her fingers against the fabric. “Makes sense, but in this case, I don’t think so. I saw her in the car with Torne.”
    Peyton’s gaze sharpened. “You’re sure? It’s easy to make a mistake in that kind of situation.”
    She shook her head again. “I know what I saw. It was Patricia.”
    “So, he has her.”
    “Or,” KT’s throat threatened to close, but she forced the words out, “or she’s part of this.”
    One of Peyton’s eyebrows lifted. “I seem to remember you thought I was the one in league with the Collectors.”
    “What else could I think, when you said you were Massey’s partner?” she shot back. She stopped and gave a little laugh when she saw his smile. “I do seem to be a conspiracy freak, don’t I?”
    “Not exactly a conspiracy freak, but understandably paranoid.” He chuckled and then winced.
    KT started to reach out, but quickly forced herself back. She wanted to touch him, to feel his skin were-normal, not feverish, beneath her fingertips. She clenched her jaw and curled her fingers together in her lap.
    “Maybe you should get some sleep,” she suggested.
    He shook his head. “I’ve been asleep for, what, an entire day?” He tapped the empty cup on the rumpled sheets. “What else’s been done to find Torne?”
    KT latched onto the topic with relief. “The Alliance and the Feds are working together on this. Father said he’d add Patricia’s information, in case she’s still with him, as hostage or partner.” She looked down at her hands. “He’ll send word as soon as they check Torne’s ranch, probably later today or tomorrow.”
    “So, when do you go back to the compound?”
    The words hung in the air and she tried to get a sense of their meaning, a feel for any deeper question, but there was nothing, just words. The silence stretched far beyond comfortable. She pushed aside her turmoil to present a calm expression when she looked up.
    “I wanted to make sure you were out of the woods before I returned to the compound. My father’s sending the jet for me day after tomorrow.”
    He turned aside to set the empty cup on the table. She leaned forward to help, but his reproving glance stopped her.
    He grimaced as he filled the glass. “You didn’t have to stay.” When he settled back against the pillows, his face looked a little paler than before. “You’d be safer back on your compound. If Patricia saw you, then she’ll know you were part of this and Torne’ll set his sights on you, too, for blowing his little scheme. If anyone appreciates payback, it’s Torne.”
    “It’s only two days. I’m sure Torne’s too busy avoiding capture to be bothered with me.” KT forced a lighter tone into her voice as she stood up. “Listen, I think the nurses should know you’re awake. I’ll be right back.”
    She walked out of the room, her steps unhurried. She went to the nurses’ station and told them he was awake. One of the nurses immediately headed for his room. KT leaned her elbows on the counter and rubbed her forehead.
    This was ridiculous. She was a grown woman, for god’s sake. She stared down at the surface of the counter. How could she feel this way about a man she barely knew? And, aside from that one instant outside the hangar, he certainly didn’t appear the least bit interested in her.
    Maybe it was only the effect of sharing a life-threatening situation. There was a psychological term for it, but she couldn’t think of it. Was she wrong? Was Andi wrong about him?
    Human emotions! Andi’s disdain almost brought a smile to KT’s lips. I know him. He’s our alpha.
    Not if he doesn’t want me. KT cringed at the whine in her inner voice and gave herself a mental shake. Marants did not subscribe to the concept of self-pity, or so her grandmother had said to her more times than she cared