Page 47 of Deadly Sins
Fenn wasn’t convinced. “This place is wired with state-of-the-art tech. You’re telling me some random dude broke in and stole this rig?”
Steele shuffled his feet, squirming under Fenn’s gaze. He ran a hand through his stupidly thick hair. “That’s not how it went down. Chalk it up to a tactical error on my part.” He grinned at Kate. “I saw you heading for the tavern the other night. I rode it over. Left the keys in the ignition. When I came out after you left, it was gone.”
Clever. An essentially unverifiable story. Sure, they could ask Jimbo about it, but that didn’t mean Steele hadn’t dumped the machine on its side himself.
“Do you believe him?” he asked Kate.
“I don’t not believe him, if that makes sense.” She looked completely miserable. Devastated.
The guy smirked.
Fenn turned away before he took a swing. Kate’s world as she knew it had just blown up in her face. He could extend some grace. She wasn’t going to be firing on all cylinders for a while.
Until the Kate Hackett he knew was back, he’d have to do the thinking for both of them.
Ignoring Captain Amazing, Fenn gave her a small smile, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. He knew he would do anything to keep her safe, anything to protect her from whatever Hawk might be planning.
Even if it meant going up against the man she’d once loved.
The man she might still love.
29
“That smells like real food,”Fenn announced, lifting his head to sniff the air wafting from the living quarters on the far side of the warehouse. He sounded surprised.
Kate didn’t blame him. Judging from the shrink-wrapped pallets of supplies, Hawk had a serious stash of MREs.
Between the time––oh-dark-midnight––and the emotional turmoil, hunger had been the last thing on her mind until Fenn called her attention to the aroma of meat and spices. She followed Fenn back into the tiny house area of the warehouse. They found Hawk bustling around the small kitchen, stirring a pot of something that smelled delicious.
As they sat down to eat, Hawk explained that he had evidence that would keep the Consortium away from all of them. “I just need you to fly me out, Kate.”
Uncertainty flickered in her chest. Something about this didn’t feel right, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was.
“Oh, and there’s one other thing,” Hawk added, almost as an afterthought.
Fenn made a disbelieving noise. “You have a hidden twin?” he asked sarcastically.
Hawk ignored the jibe and focused on her. “I need you to help me get the actual evidence. It’s back at the abandoned radio station.”
Kate’s heart skipped a beat. A dangerous outing, if the Consortium was as close as Hawk suggested. “Why do you need to go back there?”
Hawk set the serving spoon down next to the stove. “I can retrieve it myself, but I figured having backup would be the smart play. If the Consortium gets my evidence…”
He didn’t have to spell out the consequences.
“Wherever Kate goes, I go.” Fenn piped up immediately.
To her surprise, Hawk actually thanked him. “Excellent. I appreciate that.”
Fenn shrugged. “Not doing it for you, dude.”
“Understood.” Hawk didn’t seem concerned with Fenn’s lack of support.
Fenn fingered an empty bean can. “I’m just saying, it seems awfully convenient that you’ve got this evidence stashed somewhere just far enough away that bodies might never be found.”
Hawk shrugged, his expression nonchalant. “I could have popped you two yesterday.”
Fenn touched the back of his head. “You did ‘pop’ me.”