Free Deadly Desire (Carrington-Hill Investigations Book 2) by Kate Allenton Page B

Was it from a night of partying or something more? Her eyes were glassy. From a sleepless night or crying? Sara couldn’t tell. Yep, the assistant’s background would require more scrutiny. Sara would uncover any skeletons in the woman’s closet. It was just a matter of time.
    Sara flipped open the newspaper in her lap, intent on checking to see that she and Collin had indeed made the society section. Her grip on the paper tightened. Staring at Sara was a portrait of Congressman Benton’s family with a redhead smack dab in the middle. Not just any redhead, but the same redhead that had been tied up in handcuffs at the shady club with Senator Boyles a few short nights ago. Sara speed-read the article, and her hand flew to her mouth as she gasped. “Oh….” She shook her head. “This can’t be happening.”
    Collin clo sed his laptop and leaned over her shoulder. “What’s not happening?”
    She couldn’t disclose her last assignment, but she wouldn’t have to . She handed him the paper. “Congressman’s Benton’s daughter, Natasha, was found murdered last night.”
    His brows dipped as he took the paper from her hand. His shoulders slumped as he read the article. Evid ence that the news bothered him for a different reason than it bothered Sara. No one spoke a word as the plane landed and they got into the SUV’s that were supposed to carry them to the hotel. 
    They rode in silence . Sara’s mind was racing with questions on Natasha’s disappearance and death. She needed to talk to Marco. Chances were he’d already read the papers and was aware of the connection but she needed to know what was going on.
    Collin had been true to his word. They did have separate rooms , but he’d made sure that hers adjoined his, only separated by a door with a lock on it. The rooms were more like suites, each having a separate bedroom and lounge area with a television. More fancy than any place she would have chosen.
    She hung her dress up in the closet and glanced down at her watch. They had several hours to kill before the benefit. A knock sounded on the door separating her room from Collin’s. She unlocked it and pulled it open. Collin was lounging against the doorframe on the other side.
    “I’m going across the hall to Regina’s room to go over my schedule , and then we’re going down to get something to eat. It’s as good a time as any to start flaunting our relationship. Don’t you think?”
    “How about you come get me when you’re ready to go eat? I need to check in with Marco and take care of a few things.” 
    ****
    “Oh my god…it’s you! It’s you!”
    For the third time that evening, Sara leaned back in her chair in the swanky five-star hotel restaurant and watched as Collin smiled adoringly at the flocks of young teens surrounding the table. Sara bit her lip to resist mocking the women. The low lighting, meant to give off a romantic mood, made it difficult for her to watch their movements as they pulled out markers and magazines with Collin’s picture plastered on the cover, all wanting autographs and photos. Some wanted his signature written on what little breasts had formed, as if they were at a heavy metal concert.
    Sara leaned into Collin. “Don’t even think about it. Child molestation is a crime in this state.”
    Collin choked on his water and cleared his throat.
    The flash es of the camera bulbs were almost blinding. Somehow all of Alabama had figured out where they were staying, and that wasn’t going to be good for security or keeping horny women under control. Collin was what she called a triple threat: sexy as sin, undeniably rich, and from what she could tell…a decent guy on top of it all. She couldn’t imagine a single woman on this earth that would turn him away if he pursued her. As it stood, he had it all and his title as the world’s most eligible bachelor added a bit of glam to his already glamorous life. Who wouldn’t want to be rubbing elbows with the hottest guy in