Free Found Missing (Decorah Security Series, Book #14): A Paranormal Romantic Suspense Novel by REBECCA YORK Page A

now, he hadn’t considered that scenario, but anything could be possible.
    He pressed his ear to the door, hearing nothing. But she’d left the light on, which he assumed meant she wasn’t sleeping. Or had she passed out? Again his heart started to pound.
    Hoping for the best but prepared for something he hadn’t anticipated, he knocked on the door.
    There was no answer.
    With his pulse thrumming, he tried again.
    “Who’s there?” a woman’s voice called out. Through the thick door, he thought it was Jenny, but he couldn’t be sure.
    “This is the front desk.”
    “What do you want?”
    “You dropped your credit card in the lobby, miss.” As soon as he said it, he wished he’d thought of something else. If she was smart, she hadn’t even pulled out a credit card.
    Long seconds passed before he heard footsteps. He moved to the side so that if she could see him at all in the peephole, his image would be so distorted that she couldn’t tell who he was.
    The light at the small opening changed, telling him that Jenny was looking out.  Then she flung the door open. Framed in the lighted rectangle, she was holding a gun, pointed at Grant’s chest.
     

Chapter Eight
    Grant went very still, his mouth suddenly dry as old newspaper. He had worked with Jenny on weapons training. He knew she was a good shot. And there wasn’t much chance of missing at this distance. On the other hand, a gunshot was sure to bring people running.
    “Let me help you out,” he said, trying to project iron calm. “If you’re going to shoot me, it’s probably better to do it behind a closed door so the cops don’t come running.”
    Raising his hands palms out, he took a step forward, acting like he was perfectly sure she wouldn’t drill him.
    She could have said, “Don’t come any closer. Instead, she grimaced and took a step back.
    He moved a foot nearer—into the room, closing the door behind him with his shoulder.
    “Do you really want to shoot me?” he asked.
    “No.”
    “Then put the gun down.”
    After considering the suggestion, she laid the weapon on the combination dressing table, TV stand, and desk across from the bed, then sat down in the desk chair.
    He’d been focused on the small hole in the barrel of the automatic. With the threat less immediate, he took a good look at the woman. Her shoulders were slumped. Her face was flushed, and she had dark circles under her eyes. “You look like hell,” he said.
    “I feel like hell.”
    “You should let Lily check you over.”
    “I left for a reason.” She dragged in a breath and exhaled. “And she probably doesn’t want to see me. I mean, you know I stole her purse and car, right? And Mack’s money,” she added to be perfectly clear about her sins.
    The way she had said it tore at him. He had come here not sure whether he was angry or terrified for her safety. He still wasn’t quite sure which impulse was stronger, but he crossed to where she sat, and lifted her into his arms, then carried her to the bed. Easing down, he stretched out, taking her with him so that the length of her body rested against his.
    She could have resisted. Instead she buried her head against his shoulder, and he could feel her start to shake. Then she was sobbing.
    He gathered her close, cradling her in his arms, closing his eyes while he hung on to her, feeling the waves of misery roll off of her.
    He had been angry with her for disappearing. He was still angry, but now he knew how much he cared about her.
    Finally, he felt her struggling to get control of herself. He eased away, went into the bathroom and came back with several tissues.
    When she had wiped her eyes and blown her nose, he settled down beside her again.
    He had forgotten all about his brother, when he heard Mack speak to him in his head.
    Grant?
    Yes.
    Anything new to report?
    Actually, yeah, I found her at the next place. You can go back to the lab.
    Thank God. You’re bringing her back?
    I think so. She’s pretty