Solving the Mysterious Stranger. Mallory Kane

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      She racked her brain for a way to escape the stranger before they got to her house. She’d do anything to keep him away from her father.

      “Stop! Now!” she demanded desperately, with no hope that he’d pay any attention to her.

      To her surprise he stopped. Then he dumped her off his shoulder. Her legs collapsed beneath her.

      “Please,” she gasped. “Tell me what you want.”

      He held out his hand like a gentleman. She wanted to spit on it, but she quelled that childish urge and took his hand, allowing him to pull her upright.

      When she raised her gaze to his, trying to read the intent in his ice-gray eyes, what she saw sent warring emotions churning through her.

      His gaze wasn’t lewd or filled with lust. Instead, it was hot and stormy.

      Just like the fortune-teller said. Amelia’s heart leaped into her throat, making it hard for her to breathe. She was terrified, of course. But a part of her longed to look more deeply behind the storm clouds in his eyes, and find out what haunted him.

      A muscle in his jaw ticked and his lips flattened, drawing her attention. His mouth was straight and wide. What would it be like to kiss this mysterious stranger?

      Instantly his stormy eyes grew as cold as stone. He straightened. “Let’s go. I want to meet your father.”

      “My—?” Dear heavens, he was after her dad. Terror slid like an ice cube down her spine.

      Not for herself. Not now. Now she understood. He’d had plenty of chances to do whatever he wanted to her, if that was his plan.

      Something far worse was going on. Something she couldn’t even imagine. But she knew that he was connected to the pirate ships.

      She didn’t know what he planned to do once he got inside their house. She just knew she couldn’t let him. She had to protect her dad.

      She felt the familiar weight of her cell phone in her jeans’ pocket. If she could somehow call Police Captain

      Swanson without the stranger hearing her, maybe she could foil his plans.

      But how?

      She could feign nausea. If she stuck her finger down her throat, maybe she could dial the captain while the stranger thought she was puking.

      Captain Swanson would see her number. He’d know there was something wrong.

      Good. She had a plan.

      The stranger’s eyes flickered. He’d heard her sigh of relief. She clutched at her belly and moaned, but it was no use.

      He reached out and with one spare motion, pulled her back against him and patted her down.

      “Ah,” he muttered. “Cell phone—and what’s this?”

      Amelia heard the sound of pills rattling. Her heart pounded. “Just vitamins.”

      “Vitamins?” The stranger held up the vial so it caught an anemic glow from the spotlights shining on the cliff house. “Vitamins for the heart? Reginald Hopkins. Your dad has a heart condition.”

      Amelia shook her head even as her stomach sank to the ground. No need to pretend nausea now. The real thing clenched her gut and filled her mouth with acrid saliva. “I’ve already told you what I can do for you. Leave my father alone.”

      “Sorry. Can’t.” He loosened his hold, but left his hot palm resting on the curve of her spine. She knew if she made a move, he’d be on her in a flash. “Now. Let’s go inside and you can introduce me to your dad.”

      “What am I supposed to say to him?”

      “Tell him the truth.”

      She glared at him as his eyes sparkled—with amusement or anticipation? “The truth. That presupposes that you’ve told me the truth.”

      “Tell him you’ve brought me home for the night.”

      His words hit their mark in her brain. Dear heavens, she’d underestimated him again. He’d just been biding his time.

      “Is…is that the truth?”

      He cocked his head to one side.

      “But you promised—”

      “Promised? I only promised you one thing.” He touched her chin.

      She cringed away and pushed at his hand. Why had she thought he’d promised not to hurt her? Was it just the way he’d looked at her?

      “So that’s it?” She swallowed, trying to stop the flutter in her throat. Her voice was already quivering. “You want me to sleep with you? And if I agree, what then? Will you go away?”

      Her eyes stung and her throat felt raw. In fact, she felt raw all over, as if he’d flayed the skin off her bones. Could she do it? Could she lie with this stranger?

      Hell yes, if it would keep her father safe. She frowned. “Well? Will you go away if I sleep with you?”

      “I’m afraid not, Amelia.” He drew out her name. Ah-mee-lee-yah. His eyes glittered in the darkness. “No matter how much fun you and I might have—it’s your dad I’m after.”

      Chapter Three

      Amelia’s eyes grew huge and round. “No, please,” she whispered. “What can you possibly want with my father? He’s never hurt anyone in his life.”

      “That’s true. He hasn’t,” Cole said, hardening his heart when he saw her shoulders slump in relief. “But that’s not the issue.”

      Tears welled in her eyes. She blinked, and one spilled down her cheek. “Then what is?” she cried. “Tell me something. If I knew what you wanted, I could give it to you.”

      “You will. Now open the door.”

      She hesitated, then reached for the knob.

      “Hold it.” He wrapped his fingers around her upper arm. “Turn off the alarm.”

      She tried not to react, but her body language gave her away, and he could tell that she knew it.

      “Don’t waste my time, Amelia. We both know the alarm is on.”

      Two more tears slipped down her cheeks as she pressed on a rock to the left of the door. The “rock” slid aside, revealing a keypad.

      Cole caught her hand. “If you do anything to alert anyone, I promise you it will be a deadly mistake. Do you understand?”

      Her throat moved, and then she nodded.

      It pained him to see her so defeated. Someday, once all this was over, he hoped he could tell her how brave she’d been today.

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