Trace of Fever - Lori Foster [102]
His impatience obvious, his brows raised, Jackson waited.
It rankled, but still Trace said, “Thanks for taking good care of her.” He motioned lamely. “With everything, I mean.”
“Yeah. No problem.” Jackson gave a silly salute. “It’s what we do, right?”
No, taking naked women from the shower was definitely not in the job description. Trace shook his head. “I appreciate your concern for her. I do.” This was ridiculous. “It’s just that—”
“I get it.” Jackson clapped him on the shoulder. “I’m a guy, remember? Just stay on your toes because I have a feeling that one will keep you guessing.”
No kidding. “I don’t suppose you could—”
“Strike the memory of her naked from my brain?” He winked—and stepped out of reach. “I’d lie and say sure, but you wouldn’t believe me anyway.”
It was more than any man should have to bear. “That’s not what I was going to say.”
“Then I don’t have to disappoint you.”
Jaw tight, Trace nodded to the car. “Know what you’re going to do with her?” He hoped Jackson had a plan other than dumping her in the river, because Trace was fresh out of ideas.
“Yeah, I figured when she started to come to, I’d take her to an off-the-grid bar and leave her there. She’ll look inebriated going in, and once the drug wears off, well, the drunks will be at her mercy.”
“That works for me.”
“Then I’ll get to it before she comes around.” Jackson clapped him on the shoulder again. “Tell Priss I said goodbye.” Grinning, he got in the car and circled the lot before driving away.
From the shadows at the back of the hotel, Trace kept watch until Jackson was out of sight. Without it being said, he knew Jackson would go into the bar disguised so no one would ever be able to trace Helene back to him. She could tell any story she wanted to, but she’d have no proof. And anything she said would only incriminate her more once Murray found out what she’d done.
For a few minutes more, Trace waited outside. There were no out-of-place shadows or noises, no suspicious people or vehicles.
Now he could see about getting Priss moved elsewhere, and he could be alone with her.
Finally, he could have her.
He didn’t need a drug in his bloodstream to get him excited over that prospect.
TWO HOURS LATER, WITH ONLY a few phone calls, Trace had everything arranged. He’d heard from Jackson that Helene was no longer a problem, and he had them settled safely into a different hotel on the outskirts of the town. This hotel was upscale, and they’d checked in as a married couple.
Trace seemed right at home, and although Priss felt very out of place, she was still content.
Sure, the circumstances were horribly skewed, and before long there would be grave consequence for the events of the night. But Trace had been so attentive that she didn’t have any regrets.
Well, maybe except for Jackson seeing her naked. That would leave her red-faced for a good long time.
But other than that, she’d come through it all unscathed, and so had Trace. If anything, she’d forged a special closeness with him now.
Rain battered the bedroom windows of the suite, and storm clouds left the night black as pitch. “I know he said things were resolved, but what did Jackson do with Helene?”
Trace glanced up as he unloaded his variety of weapons on the nightstand. “Other than the jolting you gave her, she’ll be all right. Don’t worry about it.”
Still not trusting her. She sighed, but accepted the evasion. The more she learned of Trace, the more she understood his need for confidentiality. “I’m sort of glad that…you know…you guys didn’t kill her.”
He went still for a moment before continuing. “There was no reason. Killing her would have only complicated things with Murray.” He pulled off his wet shirt and tossed it over a chair, then sat on the bed to remove his shoes.
That jittery, hungry rush hit her again. Trace was the most appealing man she’d ever seen. That he was also strong and heroic was enough to melt her bones.
“No reason to complicate things more.” Priss noticed that his hands were