Man, she was tired, but it was done - again. Yesterday she’d phoned another name through to the AFP along with a date, time and address of another deviant bastard before wiping any possible prints off the burner phone and burying it deep in the bin in the ladies loo at the shopping centre. By lunchtime today she’d been on the flight back to Perth.
Walking through the airport, limping a little as her leg eased from the cramp of sitting still for so long, Ella collected her suitcase at the arrivals belt and walked outside to catch a taxi. In the back seat she closed her eyes, relaxing. Home again, such as it was. Boof waiting in the cattery, crankier than ever at being pulled from his routine. She’d pick him up in the morning and get him settled at home before doing grocery shopping. She had tomorrow night off and then started work again Monday night.
Easing the threat of a cramp in her leg, she flexed her toes upwards, worked out the oncoming contraction before it could hit. As it eased away, she relaxed and glanced outside at the late afternoon. It should have been chilly but the air was simply cool, not a rain cloud in sight. Early autumn was always nice, past the heat but not yet into the cold. She wished it could be spring and autumn all the time, though she’d probably never appreciate it then. Mind you, summer always meant Australia burned, so that would be another bonus to no summer. And winter did her leg no favours.
Ah well, couldn’t have everything.
When the taxi drew up in her driveway, she paid the fare, retrieved her suitcase and walked up to the front door. A glance up at the camera in the corner of the roof before she went around to the back of the house to check that everything was still locked and secure. She was pretty sure if anyone had broken in Mrs Featherstone would have been hot on the line to the Police and Wells Security. However, seeing as she hadn’t brought her mobile with her due to a little paranoia, no one would have been able to contact her anyway.
Everything was secure, so she entered, locked the kitchen door behind her and went to the bedroom. Emptying the suitcase, she tossed the dirty clothes into the wash basket to wash tomorrow, stashed the toiletries in the bathroom and her book on the bedside table, then phoned the local Chinese takeaway and ordered a meal. After being informed it would take at least an hour due to the busyness, Ella showered.
Standing there, the water beating down on her head, washing the shampoo and soap down the plug hole, she sighed wearily. Another bastard going down. Another bastard who made girls suffer, who thought they were above the law, going down.
It was a good feeling knowing she and her friend were helping the girls even if they didn’t realise it. Knowing that she and her friend were bringing the bastards down one-by-one, slowly but surely, knowing her act of revenge had also extended to include helping bring justice for others. But it was difficult for Rose, so very difficult.
Rubbing her eyes, she leaned back against the wall, letting the water beat on her head as she relaxed, the scent of soap steaming into the air.
Finally turning the water off, she dried, dressed in a thin nightie and equally thin dressing gown, blow-dried her hair and left it hanging around her shoulders. The house was too quiet without Boof stomping through it, peering at her from one eye. The one man in her life she could count on.
Barefoot, she padded into the lounge room and turned the TV on low, flopping onto the old sofa as she watched the news and waited for the takeaway to arrive.
She was idly flicking through the channels when a knock sounded. Taking the money from her purse, she opened the door. “That was fast. Man, I am starving. I -” Her eyes widened. Okay, she couldn’t lie, at first glance her heart leaped, but then she regained her senses and scowled. “What are you doing here?”
Thumb hooked in pants pocket, other hand holding a slim file, long legs braced apart, Ryan stood in quiet confidence, that air of contained danger seeming to hover unseen but definite around him. “I’m here to talk to you.”
“You talked. My, what a short conversation. ‘Bye.” When he merely placed his big boot in the doorway to prevent her from shutting it, she growled, “Move it or lose it.”
In reply he grabbed the door, opened it with ridiculous ease regardless of her attempts to close it, and walked right on in.
With his body crowding hers, it was either fall arse over tit backwards or reverse fast.
Ella reversed. And nearly fell, her heel catching on the runner. However, before she could pitch too far back, Ryan’s arm whipped around her waist to yank her against his chest. The breath was knocked from her, her hands automatically reaching up to clutch onto his broad shoulders.
Immediately she felt the strength, the bunch of muscles smoothly moving beneath his shirt as he steadied her, but rather than let her go immediately he simply kept walking, cradling her against him while he entered fully, stopping momentarily to shut the door behind him and flick the lock closed. Only then did he stop.
He still had his arm around her.
She was still plastered against his chest
Oh geez, he smelled good. Sucking in a deep breath made that more than apparent. All clean male, faint soap. And he felt good, too. Muscular, strong, warm, his strength surrounding her. As he’d walked her backwards his thigh had slid between her own, and oh God, now they had stopped and his thigh was still between hers.
Pressing lightly, but definitely, against her mound.
Shockingly, heat flared inside her, the combined sensation of his scent, his presence, his body against her combining to spark that treacherous wick. The unexpectedness of it, the unwilling acknowledgement, the damn familiarity of his embrace as though their time apart had never happened, had her sucking in another breath, her breasts swelling against all that delicious, hard muscle.
Shaken, she looked up into his brown eyes, saw something kindling deep inside them. Felt his arm tighten.
They stood looking at each other in silence, something deep and warm connecting them. A light of sameness, of oneness, of them together with no space between them, the only thing separating their bodies the clothes they wore.
How often had they pressed together, hugged…kissed.
Unbidden, her gaze dropped to those firm lips that had kissed her with such relish, driven her insane, mastered her, laughed with her.
From those lips had spilled words of love.
From those same lips had spilled the words that broke her heart.
That last memory was enough to make her regain her senses. With a sharp pull backward, she expected he’d release her.
He didn’t, at least not straight away. There was a definite five seconds where he just continued to hold her, his eyes fastened on her, but then he removed his arm, his hand sliding deliciously along the back of her waist, a slight squeeze of her hip before his hand fell to his side.
Backing away several feet, Ella crossed her arms beneath her breasts, almost unfolding them again when his gaze flicked down to the swell of her breasts before returning to her face. His steady regard tracked her, the simmer of something within making them deepen, darken. That was familiar, too, the way his eyes used to darken when -
No. No no no. This is not happening.
Drawing up so straight and stiff it was a wonder her spine didn’t snap, she glared at him. “Forcing your way into my home now?”
“We need to talk.” His eyes might have that dark shade that was unnervingly familiar, but his hard, handsome face was expressionless. There was certainly nothing in his deep tone to suggest he thought…well, anything even slightly affectionate.
Fanciful thinking.
Wait. What? No!
Shoving away that that disturbing thought, she shook her head. “We have nothing to talk about.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.”
“I’m not interested in anything you have to say.”
“You will be.” He walked past her down the small hallway into the lounge room.
The man had a bloody nerve. Following him, she stood in the doorway watching as he placed the file onto the low coffee table before checking the window lock and dropping the curtain back into place. “What are you doing?”
“Are all your windows locked?”
“Look, Ryan, I don’t know what-”
He looked at her.
“Maybe you’d care to check?” she snapped.
He started towards the doorway where she stood.
“Oh, for - yes, they’re all locked!” Scowling, she leaned her shoulder against the door frame, effectively blocking his pathway. “All with those shiny new locks you made Tom put in.”
From the way he looked down at her, his big body towering above her shorter frame, she had no doubt he’d find it very easy to brush her aside. She’d never won their playful physical tussles unless he allowed it, and physical tussles had always led to -
What is wrong with me? Ella irritably tapped her foot. If he tried anything she’d knee him right in the nuts. That would humble any man.
Ryan surveyed her silently for several long seconds.
She let anger swamp any feeling of disturbing depth that sought to surface. “Got a problem?”
“You have no idea.”
“I could give you a problem, and I will if you don’t go right now.”
In a slow, deliberate move, Ryan reached one arm up, laid his hand on the doorjamb above her head and leaned forward.
Heart skipping a beat, she refused to be intimidated.
Ryan bent down and she had to force her eyes not to widen in sudden alarm as his gaze drifted over her face, lingered on her lips, as he came ever closer, then he shifted angle slightly, his cheek brushing along hers until his mouth was at her ear.
She froze as his nearness, the heat of his body, did things to her insides that it had no right to remember.
Then his - oh God, his lips were against her ear, ever so light, just the barest whisper. The sensation of his warm breath against her flesh had goose bumps shivering up her arms.
Now she could feel it. Something dark, something smoky, her nerves stringing taunt as she waited, drawn inexplicably to him at the same time so angry, so disturbed, so freakin’ annoyed with both him for being presumptuous and herself for being so - so - so damned welcoming of his nearness.
Had to be his warmth on a chilly night, the loneliness, the memories. Tiredness. Yes, that was it, she was just jet-lagged, nothing more, nothing that-
“Right now, Ella,” Ryan said softly, “I’m debating a couple of things.”
She suppressed a shiver as his words caressed her ear, kept her posture stiff.
“The discussion we need.”
“There’s nothing to disc-”
“And taking you to task for a really stupid, dangerous, idiotic move.”
Fast as a whip, she snapped her head around to find him looking directly at her, the reflection of her face in his eyes. The same eyes that, oh geez, that also contained a dark, dangerous glint that held a mixture of two things - desire and anger. And something else…
She swallowed. It was in the very air around her now, an intangible swirl that surrounded her, seeped into her. Coming from him. Deliciously dangerous. Now she had no doubt he held something leashed inside him, something he was controlling. It was definitely there in the tightness of his jaw, the narrowing of his eyes.
“And if you give me the kneeing in the sac that you’re contemplating, trust me, I won’t be the only one hurting.”
What? How did he-
“I may not be able to walk for a short time, but trust me, Ella mine, you won’t be able to sit.”
Her jaw dropped in shock.
“Now we’ll have that discussion.” He straightened. “Peacefully.”
“Did you just…?”
The answer was clear on his unsmiling face.
Temper flared. “How dare you force your way in here and threaten me!” Arm sweeping up, she stabbed her finger in the direction of the door. “Get your arse out right now!”
Ryan walked to an armchair and sat down.
“Who the hell do you think you are?” she fumed.
“I’m the man trying to save your arse from being dragged down to the AFP for questioning.”
That took the wind from her sails. “What?”
“You heard.”
“I don’t…” She floundered, mind buzzing. “What do you mean?”
“Australian Federal Police, Ella, that’s what I mean.”
Shit. Shit! What did he - how could he - no, he couldn’t know anything. He was bluffing, he…Never mind, brazen it out. “What about them?”
“Where did you go this week, Ella?”
“None of your business.”
“You’ve been getting some information.”
“No idea what you’re talking about.”
Keeping his attention focussed on her, he hitched up one lean hip and withdrew a small object from his pants pocket. Easing back down, he held it in his open palm.
She went cold. It was the brooch she’d given to Snake. What had happened? How had Ryan got hold of it?
Trying to keep her expression controlled, she shrugged. “Jewellery? So?”
“Your grandmother’s brooch.”
“Nope.”
“You sure about that?”
“Absolutely.”
“Come here. Have a really close look.”
“I don’t need to.”
Steel underlined his tone. “If you’ve nothing to hide, Ella, you won’t mind having a look, will you?”
“I have nothing to hide.” With a bored expression, she resumed leaning against the door frame. “And nothing to prove to you.”
“You have two choices.”
She arched an eyebrow.
“Talk to me, or talk to the feds.”
“About a brooch? You really think they’ll be that interested?”
After several seconds of observing her, Ryan tossed the brooch onto the low coffee table, pulled the slim mobile from his pocket and started keying.
He wasn’t seriously notifying the feds, was he? He couldn’t be serious. Her heart leaped into her throat. What did he know? Oh God, the feds. They’d be here, they’d knock on her door, break in if she didn’t answer. She couldn’t tell them, couldn’t tell anyone, she’d promised.
“It’s a waste of time.”
He continued keying.
“You’re only going to look like a fool.”
Long fingers tapped incessantly.
Dread started to prickle through her. “Ryan.”
He continued texting.
“Ryan, stop.”
Not once did he falter.
If the AFP got hold of her, if Ryan knew this much, they’d lean on Snake, who in turn would spill what he knew and then her life was toast. Snake would bring her down. He’d give them the start of the rope to unravel everything, because one thing always led to another no matter how much she’d tried to cover her tracks.
They might not find out everything, but what they did find out… She couldn’t risk it.
Moving swiftly across the room, she made a grab for the mobile.
Almost immediately she realised her mistake. A hard hand wrapped around her upper arm and in one smooth motion she was brought down to her knees before Ryan.
Shocked, she couldn’t even begin to think about jerking back before those capable fingers wrapped around her other arm and she was firmly pulled between his spread thighs.
Instantly, she started to shuffle backwards. “Ryan, stop! Let me up!”
Good plan, right up until one long leg slid partially behind one of her thighs, his booted foot landing on the floor between her calves. With his hands on her upper arms, held between his thighs on her knees, his leg preventing her from moving backwards, she was effectively pinned. “Are you insane?” Nevertheless, bracing her hands on his thighs, she tried to shove back.
In response, he pulled her closer. The ease with which he did it, the dominance of his position compared to hers, had her breath catching.
Leaning down, Ryan looked her right in the eyes. His face gave nothing of his thoughts away, his tone quietly menacing. “Me or the feds.”
“I don’t-”
“This finishes now.”
Once more she tried to bluff, sought to divert his attention. “You’re scaring me, you-”
“Don’t.”
“Ryan-” She stopped when one finger lay over her lips in warning.
“I’m only going to say this once, Ella, so you listen.” His tone brooked no argument. “You’re up to your neck in something and you will tell me what it is. I’m here to help you. I won’t see you thrown to the wolves.”
There was no use denying it. He knew she was onto something. It was there in his steady regard, the confidence that mixed with the almost predatory way he watched her. It was an odd mix of reassurances.
But then he was a master at his job, always had been.
Dropping her gaze, she bit her lip. How much, though? How much did he know? Could she maybe stave him off with just a few tid-bits, feed him enough to keep him and the feds happy?
“All of it.” It was like he could read her mind.
Of course he could, because he’d always known when she was trying to get out of something. He knew her too well. Had always known her so damned well.
Suddenly Ryan moved, making her head jerk up quickly, but rather than reaching for the mobile he instead leaned forward past her, one arm sliding around her waist, big hand on the small of her back keeping her in place as he reached out and snagged something off the coffee table.
Frozen in place, so very aware of him surrounding her, the position he kept her in, Ella drew in a deep breath, closing her eyes, strangely both comforted and saddened by how familiar he felt, how comforting his clean scent, the whole of Ryan as one package.
Back in his arms. How often had she knelt between his thighs, grabbed his cheeks, pulled him down for a teasing kiss? Laughed with him?
Long time ago, Ella.
Her musings were broken by Ryan easing back, but rather than release her, he instead slid his hand down to her wrist, shackling it lightly but unmistakeably as he rested the file on one hard thigh, opening it to rest against her inner arm as he proceeded to turn the photos inside to face her.
Looking down, she saw photos of herself coming out of the airport, on the street, going into the pub.
A sickly feeling crept through her as she looked from the photos to Ryan.
“You’re being watched,” he stated emotionlessly. “Your every move is being monitored, recorded. You’re a person of interest in an investigation that you’ve unwittingly found yourself in. If you don’t cooperate with me, you’ll be taken in against your will by the feds and questioned. If you don’t cooperate with them, you can be charged with obstructing justice.”
That sick feeling just got a whole lot worse.
His thumb started to rub soothingly back and forth along the inside of her wrist. “I can protect you from that. You just have to trust me.”
His words and tone were persuasive. Sure, he looked sincere, he met her eyes without flinching, his stroking was comforting.
“Like you did before?” It came out bitter.
Man didn’t even falter. “You can trust me.”
“Like before?”
“I’m not going to argue that. But this is different.”
“Different? How is it different, Ryan? I trusted you then with my everything. Now you’re asking me to believe that you won’t let me down again?”
“I won’t.”
Glancing away, she felt the unexpected surge of pain. “Pardon me for being sceptical.”
Releasing her wrist, he caught her chin, brought her head back to face his scrutiny. “I promise.”
“Promise? Oh, that makes it all hunky-dory, doesn’t it? I should just take your word for it.”
“Yes.”
“Never again.” Jerking her chin free, she glanced down to see where she could get a grip on his lap to shove upright, only to note once again the photos.
The photos that showed her going into places. The photos that showed she was being watched.
Silently, Ryan leaned forward again, his shoulders pressing against hers as he reached past her once more.
God, why did he keep doing that? It did nothing but fill her with his heat, surround her with his warmth, his nearness so delicious and forbidden, and when he slid his arm around her, his big palm bracing on her back to keep her steady as she was forced to lean back to allow him to move forward, she was literally in his hands, having to rely on him to keep her upright.
Ironic really. Trusting him not to drop her however much he’d forced this position.
But she secretly allowed herself to inhale, turning her head slightly so that her breath brushed along his neck. Inhaled again while calling herself all sorts of a bloody fool to want his scent.
Stupid bloody fool.
Opening her eyes, she became aware of several things.
One, her palm was resting against the side of his abdomen, the feel of hard muscle shifting under his shirt, the rock-hard abs that seemed to have only got harder over time.
Two, he was still. Very still. Curved over her, cradling her close, supporting her. Feeling her breath on his neck.
Did he know she was sucking in his scent like a woman starved of oxygen?
Mortified red tinged her cheeks that she’d been sprung doing that very thing. What was wrong with her?
Wasn’t that the question of the day.
Abruptly, she turned her head the other way to stare at the other side of the room, only half of her vision blocked by a broad shoulder.
It would be so easy to rest my head against that shoulder, to ease into him, to let him keep me safe.
Be so easy to make a fool of yourself and repeat the whole sorry experience, you dill.
Taking a deep breath, she pretended it wasn’t shaky. “Are you finished crowding me?”
“No.”
Wait. What? She stiffened, but before she could think up a cutting reply Ryan pulled back.
Stupid to say that she missed his warmth against her. She really had been alone too long. Now if Boof was here, she’d have something to cuddle.
Not that she wanted to cuddle Ryan. Hells bells, far from it. To regain a sense of perspective and get back under control, she had to remind herself that he’d walked away from her. Not marriage material, not fiancée material, not boyfriend material.
She was still thinking this when his palm appeared under her nose with the brooch in the middle.
“One thing you can be sure of, Ella mine,” he said softly, “I won’t let anyone harm you. If you choose to believe nothing else, believe that.” At her continued silence, he added, “Wells Security has a sterling reputation. I’m part of that rep. I know my job.”
There was no denying that Wells Security was amongst the top in the field. They only hired the best. No doubt Ryan was one of the best, he’d been a Commando and they only took the best. So yeah, he’d be good at his job.
But that brought her to another query.
“Why, exactly, are you here asking me instead of the AFP?” She looked from the brooch to his face, a little disconcerted by the way his brooding gaze was slowly skimming over her features.
“They know we were together once. They’re giving you the opportunity to talk to me instead of being dragged down to the station to face them. They will speak to you, don’t doubt that, but they’ll be a lot friendlier if we do this the easy way.”
“They trust you that much?” She couldn’t keep the scepticism out of her voice. “A federal body trusting a security company?”
“Classified.”
“Bullshit. That’s a bullshit term to stop me asking questions. It’s as bullshit as that dim-witted term ‘it’s complicated’.” Annoyed, she started to sit back, only to feel his calf behind her thigh. Quickly she straightened up on her knees.
Expressionlessly, Ryan glanced from her to the brooch, back to her.
The silence between them lengthened. He didn’t stir, his gaze fixed on her face while she stared unseeingly at the brooch, mulling over her options.
This was getting them nowhere. It was more than obvious that no matter how much she protested he knew she was lying. It was more than obvious he was prepared to wait all night unless she refused to answer him then he was, apparently, going to hand her over to the AFP.
The feds suspected her of being the informer, though how she had no idea. But they’d had her watched and she hadn’t even been aware of it. The last thing she wanted was to be dragged in, questioned and then possibly charged with obstructing justice. Imagine what would happen then? She’d be part of the crime. It didn’t matter that she’d been feeding them information, they would see her reluctance to give up anything she knew as being detrimental to their investigation.
But this had been her revenge, her way of balancing the injustice done both to her and those young girls. But if she said too much she’d be betraying one who really mattered.
It looked like the only option was to open up to Ryan - a certain amount, at least. Of the two options he was the one she knew, the least threat. Though, when she glanced at his square jaw, the unaccustomed faint hint of cruelty on his face, she couldn’t help but wonder.
His posture at the moment might look relaxed but there was a coiled darkness inside him, a tension that only she seemed to feel because he sure as hell didn’t reveal by even a twitch of one of those thick eyelashes that he was angry. He waited patiently, watching her.
Like a predator with prey.
She swallowed. Time had seemed to hewn him out of rock. The man she’d known was as far removed to the one whose thighs she knelt between now as the moon was to the sun.
Plus, her knees were really starting to hurt. She didn’t kneel on the floor often.
Still not sure just how much she was going to tell him, she muttered, “Okay. But I want you to know this is under duress, I’m not doing it willingly.”
No clue if he was pleased or not, he simply nodded.
“I need to stand, so if you could…?”
The strong thighs spread slightly, giving her room. The only way she could think of to get up was to brace her hands on those same muscular thighs. For sure if she put her hands on the floor for leverage, she’d end up with her face in his crotch.
However, before she could do more than brace her hands on his thighs, she felt the flex of powerful muscles as strong hands hooked under her armpits and he stood, bringing her up with him so ridiculously easy.
Quickly she stepped back, only to gasp as cramp shot through her leg. She stumbled, grabbing her calf. “Ow! Ow ow!”
One second she was trying to maintain balance, the next she felt a hard arm go under her knees, another behind her back and she was swept up into Ryan’s arms. Several steps and he deposited her on the sofa, his hands going to her calf which she lurched up to grab.
Impressive, considering she wasn’t exactly a featherweight. But the fleeting thought vanished as the cramp dug in savagely.
At Ryan’s assessing glance, she gritted out, “Cramp.” Biting her lip, she flexed her toes to stretch the calf muscle.
Dropping to one knee, he laid his hands around her calf, fingers massaging strongly, helping to ease the pain. Normally the stretching fixed it, but she had to admit the feel of those fingers massaging the muscle was damn good.
As the cramp ebbed, she relaxed while breathing a sigh of relief.
“All right?” Ryan continued to massage her calf.
“Fine. It’s all good.” She could have happily laid there and let him continue, except this was Ryan and it was wrong. So very wrong. “I’m okay.” She sat up.
Oh boy. Still kneeling, his hand had somehow shifted to rest just above her knee. The heat from his palm brought other images burning into her mind, those long, capable fingers sliding higher, under the hem of her skirt, under the lace of her panties to - don’t think about it.
Flushing, she pushed his hand away and swung her legs down.
“Your injured leg.”
“I get a bit if cramp in it now and again.”
“Do you still get physio?”
“I know what to do for it.” Seeking to put as much space between them as possible, she stood.
Standing, Ryan watched as she took a few steps.
“Good as new.”
“I’m sorry.”
That surprised her. “What for?”
“Keeping you on your knees like that.” There was a distinct brooding in his eyes. “The position wasn’t good for you.”
For her own petty satisfaction she should have let him go on thinking that, but no matter how angry she was, how she felt, she couldn’t bring herself to make him feel guilty. “I get cramp on and off. This chilly weather makes me limp more than normal at times. I’m kind of like that old woman who knows when it’s going to rain because her bones ache.” She smiled humourlessly.
He didn’t return it.
The knock at the door had her turning with relief. “It’s the takeaway.”
Ryan, however, was already moving. With a curt “Stay here”, he strode past her into the hallway. Rolling her eyes, she watched while he checked through the peephole before opening the door to reveal the delivery boy standing on the veranda holding a bag of food.
The boy looked at Ryan with widening eyes. “Um…is Ella here?”
Instead of answering, Ryan took money from a wallet he pulled from his back pocket and handed him some cash. “Keep the change.” Taking the bag, he shut the door.
As he strode back down the small hallway, Ella held her hand out for the bag. “I’ll pay you back.”
With a shake of his head, he gestured for her to precede him.
Not really knowing what else to do, she obeyed, so very conscious of him behind her. So very conscious that she was wearing an old, soft, thin nightgown and dressing gown that skimmed her curves. Not something she’d do when having company.
Male company.
Ryan company.
Probably didn’t bother him, after all, he’d seen her naked many times in the past so he knew what she looked like. A faint flush filled her cheeks as she went behind the bench and took two plates from behind the little curtain pulled across the open cupboards.
Forget it. Just forget it. He’s not here lusting after your plump arse. He just wants information, so get your head out of the stars.
Damn it. Sand. I meant sand, get your head out of the sand.
Frowning at her slightly frazzled thoughts, she reached for the bag Ryan placed on the bench top.
He sat on the stool across from her, leaning his elbows on the bench as he watched silently while she opened the boxes and divided the food onto two plates.
While she mulled over what to say, how much to tell him, what she could get away with, she poured two glasses of iced water, placed one before him and one next to her own plate. Then, taking the stool opposite him on the other side of the bench, she picked up the fork, speared a piece of sweet and sour pork and popped it in her mouth.
Chewing, she became aware of him watching her. “What?”
Ryan studied her before slowly taking his fork. “Thank you.”
Only then did it hit her what she’d done. She’d divided the food, automatically given him a serve along with a drink. It had happened so naturally she hadn’t even thought about it. Now she thought about it, and all she could do was mentally shake her head.
“You don’t have to feed me.”
“You’re right, I don’t. But I’m not such a bitch I’d eat in front of you, and I like to eat while it’s hot. So dig in.” She returned her attention to the fried rice.
For several minutes they ate in silence, Ella keeping her attention on the plate but very aware of Ryan’s presence.
She was almost finished, Ryan’s plate was empty, when he asked, “Where do you go when you leave here?”
“Work.” Taking a sip, she looked at him over the rim of the glass. “Shopping.”
“Airport.”
Lowering the glass, she resumed eating.
“The brooch.”
She scooped the fork through the fried rice.
“What did Snake give you in return for it?”
“You got the brooch, I’m sure he told you.”
“It was pretty bloody idiotic to go into that pub. It’s a viper’s den.”
That tickled her funny bone. “Good place to meet a snake.”
He paused.
Glancing up, she noted his narrowed eyes.
“It’s not a joke.”
Actually, that was true. Her arse was history now that Snake had been tapped by security and maybe the feds. “You have no idea.”
“Try me.”
“Sneaky.” She waggled the fork.
Ryan took the mobile from his pocket and placed it on the table.
“Threat?” Shaking her head, she ate another piece of pork. “That’s low, Ryan.”
“No, what’s low is that you have information that possibly places you in danger, that’s put you on the feds’ radar, and you’re barely treading water right now.”
“I’ve kept my head above it so far.” Feigning nonchalance, she shrugged.
“Any minute you’re going under. I’m through wasting time. What you know could save lives that right now are being torn apart.” His eyes nailed her to the spot. “Young girls’ lives. You know something that may help save them.”
She bit her lip.
“Unless you’re happy to waste time playing twenty questions while somewhere underage girls are getting into situations they can’t comprehend fully with devastating results.”
His words were hard, lacked emotion, but she felt every one like it was thrown at her.
Appetite gone, she pushed the plate away. “Like I don’t know that, Ryan?”
“Then do something about it.”
“I am. Goddamn it, Ryan, I am!”
“Tell me.”
Angry, frustrated, she pressed her lips together.
Brown eyes practically drilled a hole in her forehead. “You’re protecting someone.”
Too close. She shook her head.
“Yes, you are. Start from the beginning.”
“Argh!” Knowing she was stuck between a rock and a hard place, she rubbed her eyes with the heels of both hands. “You don’t know what you’re asking!”
“Forget the source for the moment. Tell me how you got involved.” When she ground her teeth, he ordered with steely resolve, “Now, Ella.”
She could only push him so far.
Fisting her hands, she took a deep breath, stretched out her fingers, laid her palms flat on the cool, smooth surface of the kitchen bench. “You know there’s a club, a group of perverted bastards that use underage girls for sex and God knows what perversions.”
Ryan nodded.
Meeting his gaze steadily, she continued woodenly, “I don’t know who they all are. As I find out I pass the info to the feds.”
“How did you get involved?”
“I didn’t suspect at first, not until later.”
He waited.
Starting at the beginning was the only way to talk this out. “I broke down on the road on the freeway. It was early afternoon, cars everywhere. I was in the side lane, hazard lights on. I was just getting my mobile to call for help when a car pulled up behind me.” The best way for her to talk about it was analytically, not letting emotion overtake her. Time had dulled it, but the horror was still there, almost like a bad nightmare that lingered. It didn’t have the same power over her but it was never forgotten. Plus, everything had happened so fast. Bonus in a horrific way, especially as she didn’t remember most of the worst part.
Eyes fathomless, Ryan didn’t move a muscle. No doubt in his line of work, and previously as a Commando, he’d seen and heard a lot worse.
“In the rear-view mirror I saw two blokes get out of the car. I was already dialling the break-down service I’m insured with. I kept the car door locked, the window open only a crack. I was really uneasy when the blokes approached, one each side of the car. One looked in the passenger side window while the other kept telling me to pop the bonnet so they could look, but to open the window so he could talk to me properly.” Linking her fingers, she studied her thumbs. “I knew something was wrong, the bloke on my side had dilated pupils, stank of alcohol, and was acting weird. I rang the police, told the bloke through the window help was coming, but then he suddenly raised a piece of metal pole and smashed the window. I didn’t have time to even think because he was suddenly grabbing my hair, unlocking the door, dragging me out. I fought, he brought the iron bar down on my head. Cars kept going past.” Lips pursed, she rubbed a small mark on the bench. “That iron bar to the head was probably a good thing. I don’t remember much of what happened next. I remember the pain in my guts, felt the wetness, the warmth just seeping down the front of me. The ice cold feel of the cuts he made as he hacked at me, but it’s like a dream, you know? Like I wasn’t really there. Shock, the doctors said later. I was on the ground, and a witness testified that they broke my leg in two places with the iron bar. By then I was unconscious. But I didn’t forget their faces.” She tapped her temple. “I’ll never forget their faces.”
Reaching out, Ryan laid a hand over hers. Though he remained silent, strangely his touch was comforting.
“By the time the police and ambulance arrived the blokes were gone along with my purse. I woke in hospital two days later. Operated on, stitched up and plastered. I was a sight, I can tell you.” She couldn’t even summon a smile, felt so detached. “Police came, detectives, I gave them a description. One of the blokes was nabbed not long after while using my credit card. I mean, really? How stupid can you get? He happily spilled the guts on his mate. They were charged and it was off to court, and I thought justice would be done.”
Falling silent, she thought about those days in court. How things had gone so wretchedly wrong. How she’d felt facing those men, knowing what they’d done, seeing them smirk at her.
A gentle squeeze of her hand refocussed her attention on Ryan. There was something so reassuring about his silence, the way he gazed at her, listening to her, letting her talk at her own pace without interrupting. He’d always been able to make her feel safe, needed.
Until he hadn’t needed her.
That had her drawing her hand back - or trying to, because he didn’t relinquish it.
“No,” he said quietly.
No point causing a scene. Remember, he’s here for information, otherwise he wouldn’t be here holding your hand.
Ignoring the little pang deep down, Ella shrugged. “The daddies of these two men were rich, powerful. They had the best lawyers, the best defence. I found out too late that my own lawyer was bought off by them. He made a disaster of my case, threw me to the wolves while appearing so concerned. The psychiatrist, the judge, they were all in on it. And you know why?”
“Because they are all part of the club.”
“Yeah. Club rules, all for one and one for all, that shit. The psychiatrist and defending lawyer pushed the drug and alcohol bit, argued that those bastards who attacked me acted under the influence of drugs and alcohol, they acted without knowledge or intent. My lawyer was useless. The men were found guilty, the judge passed gaol sentence, and the time was a joke. A huge bloody joke. They hadn’t even spent much time in gaol prior to the trial because their rich daddies could afford the bail.” The injustice still stung, but Ella smiled tightly. “It took me awhile to get over it. Now I wasn’t seeing only a physio, but also a counsellor. The police weren’t happy, but what could they do? They try to protect us, to bring the lawbreakers to gaol, but then courts let them go, judges don’t give them the full sentences, so many things to go wrong.”
Calloused thumbs grazed gently over the backs of her hands and she was startled to realise that she hadn’t noticed Ryan had slid his hands beneath hers, laying their palms together, closing his long fingers around hers in support. The hardness of his eyes had softened.
Man always did know how to make her feel special.
“Anyway,” she continued, “for a time I was scared to go out on my own. Scared to drive on my own, sweating when I was on the freeway. Then one day I was loading the shopping into my car and I heard voices. I looked across and there was the judge, the two lawyers and the psychiatrist, all laughing and back-slapping. The bastards were all friends and I knew then that I’d been duped. My case had never stood a chance. I stood there watching them and everything changed. I swore they wouldn’t get away with it, that I’d get them back somehow. Of course, I didn’t know then what they did but I soon found out.
“I started researching them as much as I could. I wasn’t a sleuth, I’m not even that brainy when it comes to following people or digging into their backgrounds, so it took me awhile. But then I stumbled onto something, got some information…” Her voice trailed away.
Ryan regarded her steadily.
Ella quickly continued. “I wanted to make sure I wasn’t found out or suspected. I moved over here, got a job. Then when I got word I flew back to Melbourne, confirmed it, rang the AFP and flew back. Each time I confirmed something, I rang the feds. So far one of the lawyers and a psychiatrist has gone down. There’s one more lawyer and the judge to go. Then I’m done with my lot.” She slid her hands out from between his. “That’s it.”
Straightening, Ryan laid his hands on his thighs. “You got fake documents from Snake.”
“Not Snake. He just gave me the name of someone who could do it for me.”
“Who?”
“No idea. The number was different both times.”
“You still have the numbers?”
“No. Whoever makes the documents doesn’t use the same number twice. When I tried to track the number, it was a burner phone. I had to get a new number several times from Snake.”
“Like you used to phone the feds.”
She didn’t bother to deny it.
“Why the false documents?”
“In case this all blew up, I didn’t want any of those bastards to check things out and find my name linking me to travelling to Melbourne several times. I changed the documents to false names several times to avoid the same name springing up too often.”
“You were seen going to the airport but not spotted getting on a plane or off it.”
“Wigs, make-up, clothes I don’t normally wear. It’s not hard to kit yourself up in the toilets and it’s easy to get lost in the crowd. I always timed my flights to try and coincide with as many arrivals and departures as I could to have maximum people coming and going in the toilets. The crowds were huge at times, always in a hurry, travellers going in every direction making good coverage.”
“Smart girl.”
“Let’s just say I’m a lot more paranoid than I used to be. Or maybe that’s careful. Not that it did me any good, apparently.” Her lips twisted in derision. “Not as smart as I thought I was.”
“Who did you meet in Melbourne?”
“Someone who has a lot more to lose if I dob them in.”
Ryan surprised her by switching angle. “You said you were finished with your ‘lot’. But that’s not the end of it, is it?”
“I know there are more involved in that scum club.”
“Do you know who else?”
“Not yet, but I will.”
“From your source.”
No point trying to deny that, so she nodded.
“Why won’t your source reveal them all?”
“Because-” Realising she’d almost given away her source, Ella stumbled, recovered. “They don’t know everyone yet. They keep looking for proof.”
“When they have that proof they contact you.”
“Yes.”
“Why don’t they contact the police themselves?”
Knowing she was on dangerous ground, that a slip of the tongue could betray everything, Ella thought carefully before answering. “They know it’s partly my revenge, that I need to do this. I need to see each one of those bastards go down. Also, they don’t want to be linked to it.”
“How did you meet your source?”
“They contacted me.”
“They know you.”
Dangerous ground again. “They do now.”
“So recent. Not an old friend.”
“What would an old friend know about this club? None of the friends we had would ever be into anything like that.”
“Are you in contact with old friends?”
“What?”
“Back home.”
“Not lately. Not since I shifted over here.”
“Any reason?”
“Should there be?”
Now she was skirting every question, looking for the pothole that would trip her.