Colby Core by Debra Webb

Author:Debra Webb
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2010-11-01T23:00:00+00:00

Rusty Hinge, 3:55 p.m.—42 hours, 5 minutes remaining

“THEY’RE NOT OPEN FOR business yet.” Tessa scanned the vehicles parked at the side of the run-down warehouse that now served as a hangout for the less than savory members of New Orleans society. She didn’t see any that she recognized. Good thing.

If the Master had tried to call the cell phone he’d given her, he, of course, wouldn’t get through. But he knew where she was. Ross’s people had confirmed that ugly fact.

“We’ll wait.”

What was wrong with this man? “We don’t have the time.” She reached for her door. “If Ike’s a bartender, chances are he’s in there preparing for the night.”

“You’re not going in there alone.” Riley wrapped those long, protective fingers around her arm. “No way.”

“No one’s going to talk to you about Renwick.”

“That may be so, but I can’t let you take that risk. At least at the convenience store I could see you.” He flung a hand toward the warehouse. “I can’t do that here. It’s out of the question.”

Tessa took a moment, searched his eyes. He did care what happened to her. Not in that overbearing possessive, twisted way that the Master did. But basic human compassion. The kind the master did not possess.

“I’ll be fine.” She drew in a breath of courage. “I have to do this. We can’t waste any more time.”

Riley pulled the gun from his coat pocket. “Take this with you.”

He was likely to need it more than she, but if it made him feel better…she accepted the weapon and slid its comforting weight into her coat pocket. She reached for the door again.

“Five minutes,” he warned. “If you’re not back out here in five minutes I’m coming in.”

She nodded. Clearly she wasn’t going to talk him out of that condition.

Tessa trudged through the muddy parking lot. The day’s warmer temperature had melted the snow and turned the ground to mush. The front entrance of the establishment opened with ease, surprising her. She’d expected to have to pound on the door for someone’s attention.

A guy mopping the floor stopped and stared at her.

“I’m looking for Ike.” She kept her hands in her coat pockets, let her fingers wrap around the butt of the handgun.

The guy jerked his head toward the bar. “He’s stocking.”

“Thank you.” Tessa stiffened her posture and headed that way. Her mind kept ticking off the seconds. Making this happen fast was essential.

“Ike?”

The man behind the bar settled a bottle of whiskey into place before meeting her gaze. He braced both hands on the counter. “If you’re here to tell me that you’re carrying my child, then get in line. I ain’t interested in getting married and I don’t make enough here for child support.”

His crude comments flushed Tessa’s cheeks. “No. Nothing like that.” She wasn’t quite sure how to respond to his proclamation. “I…I need to get in touch with Renwick. I heard you could help me.”

Ike’s gaze narrowed. “I don’t know who you’re talking about.”

“Please.” She allowed the emotion pressing against her breast bone to show in her eyes.

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