Read Online To Catch a Thief by Christina Skye - Free Book Online Page B

out of the darkness to protect her. Nell still couldn’t figure out how he’d found her—or why. Only one person would have that answer.
    Her hands were shaking as she dialed her father. After six unsuccessful tries, she tossed the phone down on her bed. Nothing made sense.
    Her clock read 3:04 a.m.
    Impossible to believe that in sixty-eight minutes her life had collapsed in on itself like a black hole, dropping her straight into a nightmare.
    Meanwhile, she had cuts to attend to. Quickly, she bandaged her arms, then washed her face. One of the bullets had grazed her calf, and she cleaned that next. She’d had enough falls while climbing that the shallow wound didn’t panic her.
    Finally done, she looked around her silent apartment, trying to plan her next move. The logical choice was to find her father and pray that he had a solid explanation. If not, she would have to go to the police.
    Cool air drifted across her face. Out of the corner of her eye Nell saw the curtains drift out above her kitchen window. She swung around so fast that she dropped a box of bandages.
    A shadow crossed the kitchen.
    Dakota was back, and he looked mad as hell.

CHAPTER EIGHT
    â€œY OU’RE…SAFE .” N ELL heard her voice crack. She felt cornered as he studied her in taut silence. “Allan, the homeless man on the street—did you see if he was okay?”
    â€œAn ambulance picked him up. He was loudly demanding food and a hot bath when they left. I take that for a yes.”
    Nell felt a wave of relief, but it didn’t last long. Dakota looked hard and distant, like a complete stranger.
    An angry stranger.
    He stalked closer, eyes narrowed on her face. His powerful shoulders were outlined by a black turtleneck, his legs encased in dark jeans. This was definitely a man you didn’t want to mess with, Nell thought.
    But he owed her some answers, and she was going to get them. “Why are you here?”
    â€œYou tell me.”
    Nell crossed her arms and fought the urge to back up. “I don’t know what you mean.” Why did the man seem to fill her living room?
    â€œI doubt that.”
    Nell ignored the challenge in his voice. “You’re certain that my friend was conscious when the ambulance came?”
    â€œPositive. Now why don’t you stop worrying about him, and start worrying about what just happened to you . Those men in the alley weren’t playing around, Nell. Neither am I.”
    â€œDid you—are they—alive?”
    â€œOne took a round in the chest.” Dakota’s voice was clipped. “He’s gone. Two others got banged up. They’re in custody now, and I’ll be interested in what they have to say. The rest ran when the cruisers got close. Why don’t you give me your version?”
    Nell cradled her bandaged arm. “I don’t have a version. You’re not making any sense. And how do you know where I live?”
    â€œMy question first. What were you doing in that alley?”
    She stood rigidly. “Walking home from work. Then boom —those men appeared.” Her voice wavered. “And if you hadn’t arrived when you did, I probably wouldn’t be here.”
    The cool look in his eyes told her he agreed. “Nice move on the rain gutter. But if you’d lost your hold, I’d be scraping you off the pavement right now.” Frowning, he lifted one of her bandaged hands. “It was reckless and unnecessary.”
    â€œBut I didn’t lose my hold, and it gave you time to deal with them without me slowing you down. So it was hardly unnecessary.” She pulled away, angry at him and angry that her life was slipping out of control. She needed to think, but she couldn’t, not with Dakota studying her as if she was some kind of one-celled lab specimen. “If you won’t tell me why you’re here, you’d better leave.”
    He did some muttering, then stalked toward her