Free Smoke and Fire: Part 4 by Donna Grant Page B

me.”
    He cupped his hands on either side of her face. “I do, Kins. I know it wasn’t you. I thought it was when the e-mails were encrypted. It stated that you were on board with what they wanted.”
    “What?” Her brows furrowed deeply. “The only thing I agreed to—ever—with Kyvor in writing was about developing new strategies.”
    “Did that involve any meetings?”
    “Of course,” she said with a nod.
    Ryder moved his hands down to her shoulders. “Do you remember who was in the meeting?”
    “Sure. It was me, Cecil, Harriet, and Harriet’s assistant.”
    “Describe the assistant.”
    Kinsey thought back for a moment and said, “She was really beautiful. The kind of beauty you only see in movies.”
    “Her hair?”
    “Blond, almost like a gold color.”
    “And her eyes?”
    Kinsey laughed. “I didn’t get that close to see.”
    It was enough of a description to match what Esther had said. “I suspect Harriet’s assistant was the Druid who put the magic in you. We also found a tracker in your wrist.”
    “A tracker?”
    He hated the shock and alarm in her voice, but the worst was over. “We got it out. We found the same magic and tracker in Esther as well.”
    “I don’t really know what to think right now,” Kinsey said. Then she looked down and saw the blanket had fallen to reveal her breasts.
    “I’ll explain everything,” Ryder said. “Just know you are officially cleared of everything.”
    “But we don’t know who set all this in motion at Kyvor, do we?”
    Ryder shrugged. “It’s Ulrik. Esther confirmed she met with him after MI5 sent her to spy on Kyvor.”
    Kinsey’s eyes widened. “Esther is MI5? I thought they decommissioned her?”
    “To set up her spying. I believe both of you met the Druid responsible for the magic placed on you.”
    Kinsey’s lips twisted. “Harriett’s assistant.”
    “Aye. We need to find her.”
    “That I can help with.”
    “I was hoping you’d say that.” Ryder wanted to shout with joy that Kinsey would be staying. He didn’t care how long it took. He would show her his love and that he wanted her in his life forever.
    Kinsey fiddled with the edge of the tartan blanket. “I still want to know who set me up.”
    “I suspect that was Ulrik, but we’ll find out for sure.”
    Her smile was slow as it spread over her face. “It looks like I’m in need of a job.”
    It was Ryder’s turn to smile. “I’m fairly certain I can help with that.”
    “Con would allow that?”
    Ryder laughed. “I should’ve taped his words earlier. He likes you, Kins.”
    “Now that’s a shock,” she said with a small laugh. “But I’m glad. I like it here.”
    “Are you ready to return to the manor?”
    She pulled her hand from his and sat up, wrapping the blanket around her. “There’s something I need to say first.”
    Ryder waited for her to continue. From the dread on her face, he feared the worst.
    “I’m sorry,” Kinsey said.
    Now that, he wasn’t expecting.
    “I’m sorry for everything.” She licked her lips and lowered her gaze to the ground. “I should never have feared you, and I certainly should never have told you I wasn’t sure I could forgive your leaving me. After being at Dreagan and seeing the enemies, I understand now.” Her eyes returned to his. “I’d have done the same thing. This is your family. You protect your family.
    “But I was lying to myself when I said I didn’t have feelings for you. I lied to others about that as well. I never stopped loving you. Never.”
    Ryder wanted to pull her against him, but she held out a hand to stop him.
    “You were so patient and sweet, and I … wasn’t. You deserve better than that. I’d like … that is, if you’re willing … I’d very much like to start again. I may have done too much or said the wrong things, but I love you. I’ll go through interrogations or whatever to reassure you and Con and the others that I mean this.”
    Ryder halted any more words with a