Lover, Stranger Part 21

Grace almost allowed herself a smile.

"That's what the gun is for."

Their gazes met. Something that might have been admiration glimmered in his eyes.

"Still, I think you'd be safer, maybe we'd both be safer, if you moved in here with me. The security system is first rate, and besides what was it you said the other day? You watch my back and I'll watch yours? It would be easier to do that if we were both in the same location."

She wasn't sure why his words surprised her so much. Maybe because when she'd hinted the same thing that first night, he'd made it all too clear that he had no intention of inviting her to stay in his home. Now, he was acting as if the idea was his and that it made all the sense in the world, Grace knew she should leap at the chance to move in with him. Her main function in this whole operation was to get as close--and stay as close--as she could to Ethan so that when Reardon came after him, she would be ready. But now she had to wonder if proximity to Ethan would be such a good idea. Would she be able to remain alert and focused, or would her attraction to him make her careless? Reckless?

A s.h.i.+ver of awareness slipped over her.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"You know as well as I do it makes sense for us to stick together."

"Yes, I know, but" -- "But what?" His gaze became even more penetrating.

"Are you afraid to move in here? Are you afraid of me?"

"No. Of course not," she said almost too quickly. "I'm not afraid of you."

"Then who are you afraid of? Reardon? Yourself, maybe?"

Grace felt a p.r.i.c.kle of anger at his a.s.sumption. "Contrary to what you seem to think, I'm not the least bit worried that I won't be able to constrain myself in your presence."

Amus.e.m.e.nt flashed in his eyes.

"Then what's the problem?"

"A little thing called appearances," she said.

"What will your neighbors think if I move in here with you? You're still married, Ethan."

' "Not anymore." He picked up the blue-backed legal doc.u.ment from his desk and handed it to her.

"What is this?" she asked doubtfully.

"A courier delivered it this morning. It's a final divorce decree."

Something very subtle changed in his voice.

"As of today, I'm a free man. Grace."

She took the doc.u.ment and skimmed the front page.

"I don't know whether to offer my congratulations or my condolences,"

she tried to say lightly.

One dark brow arched.

"You've met Pilar."

When Grace said nothing, he sat back in his chair and his eyes grew pensive.

"It's strange to have proof of the ending of a marriage I don't even remember. But I guess this explains why Pilar was so eager to clean out the cash from the safe. A little something extra added to the settlement."

Grace handed the doc.u.ment back to him.

"Have you heard from her?"

"No, and I don't expect to. Unless I see her tonight."

"Tonight?"

He paused.

"A woman called me this morning. She said her name was Alina Torres. She talked for five minutes straight before I finally figured out she's Hun... my secretary."

"What did she want?" Grace asked.

"She reminded me that I have an invitation to some sort of charity benefit tonight at the Huntington Hotel. The proceeds will go directly into a building fund for a new children's wing at St. Mary's Hospital. According to Alina, I'd previously sent my regrets because I hadn't planned to be in town, but now that I'm back, she thought it would be a good idea for me to go. It seems I'm being presented with some sort of citation."

Grace's frown deepened.

"Do you want to go?"

"Not particularly. But I've been thinking about what you said the other day.

That the best way to draw out Reardon, or whoever wants to kill me, is to go about my normal business. The event tonight is written up in the paper today. If Reardon is keeping tabs on my activities, then he's bound to see it."

Ethan handed Grace a folded newspaper, and she read the headline.

Gala to Honor Dr. Ethan Hunter's Work with Underprivileged Children He was right, she thought. A public event like this was just the sort of thing that would appeal to Rear- don's macabre sense of humor.

Still, she felt compelled to warn Ethan.

"It could be dangerous. It would be very easy for Reardon to slip in with the crowd unnoticed.

Especially since we don't even know what he looks like anymore. "

"Isn't that the idea?" Ethan scowled.

"I'm supposed to be a target, right?"

Yes. And the end justifies the means. Grace tried to tell herself.

But even so, her first inclination was to try and talk him out of going. To somehow convince him to stay here, inside his fortress, where the locks and alarms just might keep him safe.

Out there, he would be a target. Bait for Reardon. And there was no guarantee Grace would be able to protect him. She wasn't even sure she could protect herself against Reardon.

She drew a long breath.

"Is there any way you can get me an invitation?"

"I'm way ahead of you," he said.

"Alina is sending over a ticket today, but you won't be seated on the dais with me."

"That's fine. It's better if I'm in the back, so I can keep an eye on the entire room."

He studied her for a moment, then his gaze dropped to the purse in her lap.

"You'll be armed, I take it?"

She nodded.

"Under the circ.u.mstances, I wouldn't leave home without it."

Their gazes held 'for what seemed an eternity, but in reality was hardly more than a second or two. But in the s.p.a.ce of a heartbeat, Grace saw something in Ethan's eyes that she knew was mirrored in her own. Excitement.

Antic.i.p.ation. The thrill of the hunt.

They were suddenly two kindred spirits embarking on a perilous journey together. A journey that would be fraught with danger, intrigue and, because of the danger, pa.s.sion.

Pa.s.sion heightened by the knowledge that for them, tomorrow and regret might never come.

he liked what she was wearing. Her gown was mid- night-blue, shot through with silver threads that s.h.i.+mmered in the light. She'd fastened a glittering clip in her hair that helped to glamorize the simple style, and her lips were tinted a dark, enticing red.

Ethan and Grace stood in the regal ballroom of the Huntington Hotel, their images reflected by the dozens of gilt-framed mirrors lining the walls.

Overhead, twinkling chandeliers cast a rich ambience over the hall, while the tinkle of champagne gla.s.ses and the sound of muted laughter further enhanced the mood.

Ivory candles flickered on round tables covered with fine linen and set with gold-rimmed china, sparkling crystal and silverware polished to a gleaming finish.

Ethan, gazing at Grace, thought that she had been created for candlelight.

The soft, dancing light brought out the drama of her features, deepening the blue of her eyes and igniting the red highlights in her hair.

She met his gaze briefly, then turned away, but not before he'd seen the desire in her eyes, in the tantalizing way she parted her deep red lips.

Ever since she'd met him earlier at his house before coming here, the sparks had been flying between them.

Ethan's gaze slipped over her, moving from those lips to the pale skin of her throat, and then lower, to the lush curves outlined by the silky fabric of her gown.

Impulsively, he leaned toward her and whispered against her ear, "If you're carrying a concealed weapon in that dress, you're incredibly creative. And I mean that as a compliment."

He saw her smile, and realized, with something of a shock, that he'd never seen her do so before. She was always so serious, so. intense. Was she that way in every facet of her life?

Grace held up a glittering evening bag.

"Don't worry. I told you I'd come prepared."

"And you were so right." His gaze moved over her again, and he wondered if he'd ever been as aware of a woman's allure as he was Grace's tonight.

Don't, a little voice warned him. Don't get involved in something you can't finish. You don't even know who the h.e.l.l you are.

The tuxedo he'd pulled from the closet earlier fit him well enough, but like all the other clothing he'd worn, it wasn't a perfect fit.

Nothing in Ethan Hunter's life was a perfect fit, except maybe for the way he felt about Grace.

He'd known from the first there was something special about her, something.

intriguing about her, but her appeal was far more than just the physical attraction he felt for her. He'd meant what he said yesterday. They were connected to each other. He just didn't know how or why.

He touched her arm and felt her tense.

"Would you like some champagne?"

Grace's gaze focused on the tray of sparkling wine as a waiter hovered nearby.

"Maybe later. I want to keep a clear head tonight."

All around them, people were starting to find their seats. Grace nodded toward the dais at the front of the room.

"I think they're waiting for you."

"Wish me luck."

For a split second, he considered leaning down and kissing her, but then thought better of it. But when he would have turned away, she caught his arm at the last moment. Her blue eyes deepened on him.

"You don't have to do this. We can find another way to get Reardon."

He stared down at her.

"I thought this is what you wanted. Grace." To catch Reardon at any price.

And after that--what was it she'd told him that first night? She didn't give a d.a.m.n what happened to Ethan.

Her eyes were very blue and very mysterious in the candlelight. Ethan couldn't quite define the emotion he saw simmering just beneath the surface, but the possibilities tightened the nerves in his stomach.

"Just be careful," she murmured. Then she turned and walked away.

grace sat at a table near the back of the mirrored ballroom with a group of doctors and hospital administrators. She absently listened to the conversation around her as she scanned the crowded hall, looking, not just for Reardon, but for the agents she knew Myra would have in place tonight.

As for Myra, Grace had spotted her earlier, looking wonderful in a black sequined gown that would prob ably cause Vince . Con nelly their section chief back in Was.h.i.+ngton, to have a heart attack when he got her expense account.

Grace didn't know where Myra was seated, but as her gaze continued to scour the room, someone else caught her attention. Pilar, on Bob Kendall's arm, made an entrance that could only be called spectacular. Dressed in a strapless red evening gown, Ethan's.e.xwife had every male head in the room turning to stare at her admiringly.