The Predator (22 page)

But it had felt so right, like coming home after a long, long absence. The familiar feel and taste and smell of his body—it had been heaven.

She’d arrived home with only enough time to get dressed and head out the door again to work. Her mother had looked at her with concern, but had remained silent.

Then again, she didn’t have to say anything. Alex knew exactly what her mother was thinking. Nothing good would come of re-igniting her relationship with Brandon until she told him about his son.

Alex compressed her lips. Her mother was right. She had to tell him. But how? It wasn’t like she could just blurt it out in the tearoom. ‘Hey, I had a great time the other night. The sex was mind-blowing. By the way, I forgot to tell you that you have a son.’

Nausea and nerves swirled in the pit of her belly. She knew he wouldn’t take it well. She also knew the longer she put it off, the worse it would be, no matter what she tried to tell herself.

Hefting the load of wet laundry onto her hip, she pushed open the back door and headed toward the clothesline. Spying Sam in the sandpit surrounded by Tonka trucks, she smiled. He looked up, grinning and waving.

“Hello, Mommy. I’m taking dirt to the quarry. We’re building dungeons today.”

The surge of love and protectiveness almost overwhelmed her. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for him. She would look after him until her dying breath. Anyone who tried to hurt him would have to answer to her.

But that didn’t mean his father didn’t have a right to know.

“Mommy, your phone’s ringing.”

Alex blinked and realized he was right. Setting the basket on the trolley near the clothesline, she jogged back inside and picked up her phone from the kitchen counter. The screen showed a number she didn’t recognize.

“Hello?”

“Alex, it’s Brandon.”

Her heart leaped into her throat and then began to beat a crazy tattoo against her ribcage.

“Brandon. It’s great to hear from you. H-how did you get my number?”

“I asked Patrick for it. He was a little reluctant, but I told him I needed to talk to you about the investigation. I hope you don’t mind?”

“No, of course not. That’s fine. I’m glad you called.”

“I’m sorry to do this over the phone, but it’s been going around and around in my head. I had to talk to you about it.”

Tension gripped her belly. “What is it?” she asked cautiously.

“The other night I…um… I was irresponsible. I’m sorry. I didn’t take any precautions. I-I’m sorry, Alex. I should have thought.”

Her breath eased, but only slightly. “You’re scared I might be pregnant?”

“Yes! No! God, no! Not scared. I couldn’t think of anything more wonderful than making a baby with you, but I-I didn’t know how you felt about it, about us. This is all so new and I didn’t want to rush things and I didn’t want to blow it…and then I go and do something stupid like not buying condoms.”

Hope began to leak into her heart in tiny, golden droplets. “You want to have a baby? Really? What about what you said, before?”

Brandon exhaled heavily in her ear. “That was four years ago. I know what I said. God, I think back now and I can’t believe how hard I fought against the idea. I guess I was so focused on my career I couldn’t see past it. You were just as determined to rise to the top. It was why I couldn’t see how we could make a baby work. Neither of us were in the same place for very long. We were in and out of undercover operations, international task forces, high-security investigations. It wasn’t like we could offer a child a stable environment.”

He sighed again. “But now, I can’t imagine not wanting to share that kind of love, that kind of joy with you. I-I hope it’s not too late.”

The hope in Alex’s heart blossomed and grew, warming her all over. Was it possible he’d take her news better than she thought? She had to tell him. She’d wanted to give them more time, but she had to do it.

“I’ve just checked the roster,” he added in a rush. “You’re off again tomorrow. Can you come over tonight? It’s been so long since I’ve seen you.”

Alex smiled. “It’s only been a night, Brandon.”

“And one day. What can I say? I miss you.”

The quiet admission warmed her heart. “I miss you, too.”

“Will you come over tonight?”

“I can’t tonight. Mom’s away at her regular bridge night, but I’ll meet you for lunch tomorrow. How about I meet you at the coffee shop around the corner at twelve? There’s…something I need to tell you.”

There, she’d taken the first step.

“What is it?”

Her breath quickened. It was not something she wanted to do over the phone. “No, not now. It can wait until tomorrow. I-I’d like to tell you in person.”

“Should I be worried?”

Alex filled her lungs and let the air out slowly. “Do you love me, Brandon?”

“With my life.”

Her eyes closed in relief. “Then you have nothing to worry about.”

She prayed she was right.

* * *

Cassie ran her finger down the entries on the netball draw and found the listing for the next game. There they were: the Manly Musketeers. They were playing at home on Saturday morning. The game was on Court Four and started at ten.

Excitement coiled tight in her belly. She pushed the piece of paper across her desk and reached for her laptop. Her fingers flew over the keys. She entered the chat room.

He wasn’t there.

Her shoulders slumped. She checked the wall clock behind her. Three-fifty. She’d raced out of school and caught an earlier bus home. She didn’t normally arrive until a little after four. He probably didn’t expect her to be online so early in the afternoon.

She thought about going downstairs for a snack, but then decided against it. Her mom would only start asking her about her day and about her homework and just about anything else she could think of. It was weird. Not that long ago, she used to spend hours talking to her mom. Now, she couldn’t wait to escape and head upstairs to her laptop.

An icon flashed on the screen. Her breath caught.
It was him
. He was online. Within seconds, his greeting crawled across the screen.

Hello there gorgeous, what a wonderful surprise to come home from school and find you waiting for me. I hope you’re not home sick?

Cassie smiled. He was so thoughtful. More thoughtful than any guy she knew. She hurried off a reply.

No, not sick. Just got out a little early and headed straight home.

She didn’t want him to think she was that keen. It was always good to play things a little cool. That’s what her mom had told her, anyway, when they’d had the boy talk.

Well, I’m certainly not complaining you didn’t take time to talk to your friends. I’ve been thinking about you all day. Last period seemed to take FOREVER.

Cassie grinned, warmth spreading through her.

I know exactly what you mean,
she typed
.

She hit enter and then frowned. That wasn’t too forward, was it? Surely it was okay when he’d already told her how much he’d been looking forward to chatting with her?

I can’t wait to meet you. Twice I’ve tried and twice I’ve failed. Maybe it will be third time lucky? Are you playing this weekend?

Happiness bubbled up inside her. Yes! Yes! Yes! There was a God! He still wanted to meet up with her!

I’m playing at Manly again. I just checked the draw. We’re playing at ten o’clock on Court Four. I should be playing in my usual position.

Goal Attack, right?

She grinned. He’d even remembered what position she played. Oh, God, she was
soooo
in love.

That’s right. It’s nice of you to remember.

I remember everything about you. Now I just have to meet you and my life will be complete.

Cassie shook her head. If she’d heard it on a movie, she would have laughed at its soppiness, but somehow, from him, it sounded perfect.

I can’t wait.

Neither can I. Let’s hope Dad doesn’t have any other plans for me on Saturday.

Fingers and toes crossed.

Hey, how about you give me your phone number just in case something comes up? I can text you and let you know. That way you don’t have to wonder if I’ve forgotten all about you (as if—LOL).

Cassie’s fingers stilled. Her parents were forever warning her about giving out personal information online. She’d heard about men who preyed on kids on the Internet.

But this was Justin. Okay, not really Justin, but it was
him.
The hottest boy she’d ever seen. And he was so kind and funny and
nice.

Sure, there were nasty old men who tried to trick girls into pretending they were their friend, but not him. It could never be someone like him.

She typed a response.

If I give it to you, I’ll have to kill you. You know that, right?

His reply brought a smile to her lips.

Then I’ll die a very happy boy.

Okay, here it is.

She gave him her number.

Would you like mine?

She breathed a sigh of happiness, knowing that a real predator would never give out their number.

Sure. That would be great.

He gave her a cell phone number. She scribbled it on a piece of paper and then tore it off and folded it into little squares and pressed it against her heart.

I guess I’ll see you at the game, then,
she wrote
.

Can’t wait. Saturday is soooo far away.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Patrick strode out of his office, a sheaf of papers in his hand. “All right, everyone. Listen up.”

Brandon looked up from his desk. Pushing back his chair, he stood and joined the rest of the squad making their way to where their boss stood.

“What is it, sir?” Ryan asked.

“I’ve just received a communication from the head of the INTERPOL taskforce. They’ve been monitoring Janssens’ emails. They think they have enough to arrest him but they don’t want to do a raid until all the other international taskforces, including ours, are ready.”

He looked around at them, his face grim. “Once they take down the ringleader in Belgium, all the other perpetrators around the world will disappear like smoke. Within hours, maybe less, they’ll know he’s been compromised and they’ll do everything they can to get rid of any evidence on their own computers.”

“How much time do we have?” Brandon asked.

“Good question,” Patrick replied. “I’m not sure. The guys at INTERPOL are calling the shots. We need to get surveillance happening on our list of thirteen and we need to get it happening now. We could have a week, maybe two. They don’t want to wait too long, but they appreciate we’ve had less time to work on our list than they have. They don’t want to jeopardize anyone’s investigation.”

“That’s a relief,” Brandon muttered and a couple of the men chuckled.

“I know how you feel, Munro, but don’t lose sight of the big picture here.” Patrick included all of them in his gaze. “There’s no room for egos. We’re all in this together. INTERPOL knows that. The FBI knows that. Let’s do our best to get this right.”

“Who’s doing the surveillance?” Jack asked, looking eager.

“I’ve nominated four of you to work with the surveillance team. Ryan, Nick, Sarah and Jack—that’ll be you.”

Jack grinned and punched the air. Patrick continued, his face somber. “With every minute counting, that’s all I can afford. That’s why I’ve enlisted the support of the local police. They’ve agreed to help and they’re supplying enough manpower to watch these men twenty-four seven.” He eyed the officers he’d nominated for surveillance. “You’ll each work with a group of local coppers. You’ll have to take it in turns and spread yourself around so that at least one of you has spent time watching each and every one of our suspects.”

“For how long?” Ryan asked.

“For as long as it takes, but hopefully we’ll have what we need inside the fortnight. I don’t think INTERPOL will wait much longer than that. In the meantime, the rest of you keep monitoring the email accounts and the chat rooms. Let’s face it, the majority of these bastards make their moves in the cyber world.”

Brandon snuck a look at the clock on the wall in front of him. It was nearly eleven. Only an hour to go before he saw Alex again. Need unfurled in his belly, hot and desperate. The intensity of it scared him a little, but not enough to give up the second chance she’d granted him. Determination tightened his gut. He’d do whatever it took to make this work.

The impromptu meeting came to an end with Patrick urging them on and wishing them all good luck. The squad dispersed and Brandon made his way back to his desk. He checked the clock again. Fifty-five minutes to go.

* * *

Alex ran the brush through her hair again and patted a couple of roguish strands back into place. Her hand shook slightly and she silently castigated herself for her nerves. It was only lunch. They’d been rolling around in his bed a couple of nights ago.

But she hadn’t been about to confess her deceit about their son a couple of nights ago. Hadn’t been ready to admit to a lie so huge she wasn’t sure if they’d get through it.

He’d be furious. He’d be hurt. He might even hate her. He’d be all the things she’d be if this had happened to her. Keeping the existence of a child away from his father was mammoth, even if she did feel justified for doing it. Justified at the time of the offence, at least. She’d had moments of doubt many times. It was the last month she felt most badly about. She’d had more than ample opportunity to tell him. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t asked about Sam’s father.

She acknowledged the weight of her guilt with a bowed head. There was nothing to be done about it, now. All she could do was tell him how sorry she was and hope and pray he could find it in his heart to forgive her.

She was pleased her mother had gone out shopping. Alex hadn’t found the courage to tell her she was meeting with Brandon again and was grateful she’d avoided another barrage of questions. She had to know how Brandon was going to react before she could bring herself to discuss it with her mother.