Read Online Smoke and Fire by Donna Grant - Free Book Online Page B

them could’ve gotten to you.”
    She gave a bark of laughter. “Do you really think I’m that naïve that I wouldn’t know when someone was trying to scam me?”
    â€œNo’ at all. But these people are good, Kins. Verra good.”
    â€œAll right,” she conceded. “Let’s say that one of them did get to me. How? When? Why? You and I haven’t spoken in three years.”
    â€œUntil a few weeks ago. Someone must’ve seen me shift, and then watched you run away.”
    Her lips pressed together for an instant. “Those who weren’t throwing themselves at the Dark Fae were running away.”
    â€œThat’s true. But they weren’t you. As to the how and when? It could’ve been anywhere, anytime. You visit individuals and corporations as part of your job. You could’ve been approached at any one of them.”
    She raised a dark brow. “I see your point. And I suppose you’ll say the ‘why’ is because we were once together.”
    â€œPrecisely.”
    â€œHave any of the other Kings been contacted by past lovers? What about any of your other lovers? With as long as you’ve been around, you must’ve had plenty.”
    Was that jealousy he heard in her voice? That made Ryder want to smile. Perhaps she still felt something for him after all.
    â€œNo, to answer both your questions. No past lovers of anyone—including mine—have shown up besides you.”
    â€œI’m the lucky one, huh?” she mumbled and returned to face the screen and Ulrik’s pictures. “Do you have any photos of his associates?”
    â€œThere are literally thousands, by my guess. He’s never seen with any of them.”
    â€œSo that’s a no,” she said. “You’re right. It could be anyone, but the fact is, had anyone mentioned your name, I would’ve been suspicious.”
    â€œThey probably wouldna have. What about Dreagan?”
    She shook her head. “Not that I can remember.”
    Ryder could see that she was becoming agitated by not having any answers. He was as well, but when it came to Ulrik, Ryder was used to this.
    â€œLet’s start with something we already know is fact. Someone used your name to write up the work order to send you here,” he said.
    Kinsey turned the chair to face him, leaning an elbow on the arm. “Right. We don’t know who that is though.”
    â€œNo’ yet. Truthfully, we may never know. It might be pointless, because it could be just some lackey that Ulrik used to get something done.”
    She nodded as she listened. “That’s a good point. What else do we know?”
    â€œThat you are innocent of putting in the work order.”
    Kinsey chuckled and shoved her hair over her shoulder. “Yes, I am. That’s all we know, isn’t it?”
    Pretty much, but Ryder had gone on less before. “I know Ulrik is involved. I’m going to need time to piece it all together.”
    â€œ We’re going to need time,” she corrected.
    Ryder smiled. He hadn’t realized how much he missed being near Kinsey until she had walked into his office.
    The problem was, there was too much suspicion still in regards to her. Con would want her isolated from Ryder and the access she had with the computers.
    However, Ryder already had an argument in response to what he knew was coming from Con.
    â€œDoes it bother you that I’m here?” she asked.
    Ryder was so surprised by her question that it took him a minute to respond. “No. I understand that you’d rather no’ be here.”
    â€œThat was true at first.”
    â€œWhich means you do now?” Hope sprung in his chest. Ryder held his breath as he waited for her to answer.
    Kinsey motioned to the room. “Look at this place. I’ve never seen a room set up the way you have it. All the latest and greatest technological marvels at your fingertips. You