Free Cat Got Your Tongue? by Rae Rivers Page B

suspect someone’s been watching me, watching my house.”
    “What’s happened?”
    “We’ll discuss the details later. Would it be possible to get someone from your agency to move in here for a while?”
    “Sure.” Her mind automatically began racing through the list of agents that would be suitable for him. “Unfortunately, I’m unavailable as I’m on an assignment with Cole Anderson but I’ll arrange for one of my partners to meet with you in the morning.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Say someone is in fact watching you. What have you got that could be of interest to them?”
    “Anything is game. It could be a business rival.”
    Another thought occurred to her. “And art? You’re still collecting?” She remembered they’d shared a love of antique art, having briefly discussed his collection in the past.
    He smiled, the fondness for his artwork apparent in his eyes. “Yes. My art is my passion.”
    “Is your artwork kept mainly at your house or elsewhere?”
    “Mainly at my home here, but I have a few other homes where I keep some pieces.”
    Could there be a connection? “Well, I’ll send an agent over in the morning to meet with you.”
    His weary smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “That would be great. It’s been a rough couple of nights.”
    Alex noticed Cole walking toward her. Turning to Mike, she smiled. “Thank you for approaching me with this. We’ll take care of you, I promise.”
    The moment Cole joined them, Mike’s soft and gentle manner disappeared, quickly replaced with the professional and stern business image he presented to his associates.
    “Cole,” Mike said. “Good to see you in one piece.”
    Cole nodded. “So you’ve heard the news.”
    “I always keep tabs on my friends.”
    “Ah. Even when they’re under attack?”
    “Especially when they’re under attack.” Mike smiled. “I heard you purchased the Renoir on the weekend.”
    “A real beauty.”
    “I considered bidding on it myself. A very rare find, but it was a toss up with that and a Van Gogh that was up for sale at Sotheby’s.”
    “So you bought the Van Gogh?”
    “Just as well considering the drama you had with the Renoir.”
    Cole’s eyes went a shade darker. “The Van Gogh might’ve been the better option.”
    Mike flashed a smile at Alex. “I was talking to this lovely lady of yours and I find her rather enchanting.”
    “Yes,” Cole replied, shifting his gaze to Alex. “She’s rather captivating, isn’t she?”
    Mike nodded at a passing acquaintance and glanced back at them. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to catch the mayor before he leaves.” He turned to Alex. “Thank you for your time tonight.”
    Her answering smile disappeared the moment he merged within the crowd. Her conversation with the older man had aroused her curiosity and had her instincts bristling.
    “What was that about?” Cole asked her quietly.
    She shook her head. “Nothing.”
    “Ready to leave?”
    Distracted, she nodded.

Chapter Nine
    Their exit proved to be challenging.
    The moment they stepped outside, the mob of reporters and photographers surrounded them. Lights flashed in rapid succession as several cameras were shoved in their direction in an attempt to capture a picture of them together.
    They all wanted a piece of Cole Anderson and Alex wondered how he could stand it. She was familiar with the press, often having had to shield clients from the intrusive attention in the past. But this was different and Alex found the attention suffocating.
    They elbowed their way into the car, relieved when the door slammed shut, muffling the noise outside. Once they were inside the limo and behind the safety of the dark protective glass that shielded them from the curious stares outside, both Cole and Alex took a deep breath of air.
    “God, is it always like this?” Alex asked, exhaling.
    “Most of the time.”
    She could tell by his clenched jaw that he didn’t care for the intrusion into his life but had settled