A Time to Die by Beverly Barton

Author:Beverly Barton [Barton, Beverly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary
ISBN: 9781460301791
Google: lgiNemyRXu8C
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-09-16T16:00:00+00:00

DEKE MET Bain Desmond at the door, stepped out into the hallway and eased the door closed behind him.

Desmond frowned. “Why the hell did you bring her back here?”

“Because she needed to come home, at least for tonight.”

“How’s she doing?”

“How do you think?”

Desmond nodded. “This shouldn’t be happening, especially to someone like Lexie, who gives her all to help other people.”

“Shit happens.”

Desmond glared at Deke. “So how much have you told her?”

“Everything I know.”

“Was that wise?”

“Yeah, I think it was. And I’d advise you not to lie to her or even sugarcoat anything. She deserves the unvarnished truth.”

“You think she can handle it?”

Deke inclined his head toward the closed door. “That lady in there is one of the strongest women I’ve ever known.”

Desmond eyed him speculatively. “You admire her, too, don’t you?”

Did he admire her? Damn right he did. He admired Lexie, respected her, wanted her, and whether he liked it or not, he was crazy about her. Or maybe he was just crazy. If he thought for one minute that he could ever have her…

“Look, I just got her to lie down a few minutes ago. She’s worn herself out making phone calls in between going to the bathroom to cry in private. Even though Toni said she’d handle all the arrangements, Lexie insisted on being the one to telephone Malik’s family in Gadi.”

“Dear God,” Desmond grumbled.

“Yeah, tell me about it. She was a brave soldier until afterward, then she spent fifteen minutes in the powder room.”

“So is this your subtle way of suggesting I come back later?”

Deke sensed her presence before he heard the door open.

“That won’t be necessary,” Lexie said. “Please, Bain, come on in.”

Deke and Desmond turned to face the bleary-eyed woman standing in the apartment doorway.

When the lieutenant walked over to Lexie and kissed her cheek, Deke saw red. How stupid was that? He couldn’t remember ever being so damn jealous, but then, he’d never felt so totally possessive before, either.

“Would you care for some coffee or tea?” Lexie asked, playing the good hostess as she led them inside.

“Nah, nothing for me.” Bain put his arm around Lexie’s waist and escorted her into the living room.

Deke wanted to shout Get your damn hands off her! Instead, he kept quiet as he closed and locked the door.

Once they were all seated, Desmond on the sofa with Lexie and Deke across from them, the lieutenant ran his hands up and down his thighs, as if trying to stall for time. Deke understood. The last thing either of them wanted to do was cause Lexie more pain.

Desmond turned to her. “Malik was shot in the head. After taking a look at his car and speaking to the doctors in the ER, my initial guess is that he saw his killer. He was shot at close range, less than a block from the restaurant. The parking lot exits onto a back street, and apparently Malik had just pulled out when it happened.”

“Then someone else should have seen the killer, too, right?” Lexie looked at Desmond with hope in her eyes.

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