Part 23 (1/2)

Audra pressed the tiny chip between her fingers and considered her options.

She'd always been proud to be unique, to march to her own drumbeat. All of this worry about who she was and soul-searching were a waste of energy. She was who she was. A bad girl with a soft spot for good boys. One h.e.l.l of a designer with a knack for the naughty. A wild woman who was strong enough to make her dreams come true.

And a woman in love.

Which brought her to the real question.

Was Jesse man enough to accept her? The whole her, totally?

She rubbed the chip again.

Maybe it was time to find out.

15.

JESSE LEFT Shale's office and tried to keep his triumphant grin from splitting his face. He'd nailed it. The case, and his internal struggle over his choices and work methods. And d.a.m.ned if he didn't feel good. Shale's office and tried to keep his triumphant grin from splitting his face. He'd nailed it. The case, and his internal struggle over his choices and work methods. And d.a.m.ned if he didn't feel good.

Now to get Audra to talk to him again, find a way to work things out with her, and he'd be great.

”You look like a happy man,” Rob said as Jesse approached. Feet up on his desk, the redhead looked like he was about to fall asleep. Jesse raised a brow.

”The case is pretty much nailed,” Jesse said with a frown. ”What's up?”

”You had a phone call.”

”Informant?” Jesse dropped into his chair and booted up his files. He wanted to make sure his case against the triad was as solid as possible. No loose ends, no easy walks.

”Nah. Girlfriend.”

Jesse's fingers froze on the keyboard. ”Audra called?”

”Yup. Said she had something you might be interested in.”

He was interested in everything she had. That didn't narrow things down much. He squinted at his partner.

”She didn't leave details. Just said she had something you might want to check out.”

Jesse was already out of his chair and halfway to the door when he thought to ask, ”Did she say where she'd be?”

”Nope. But she mentioned a leather couch.”

AUDRA TURNED the sign on the boutique door to Closed, but didn't lock up. Just in case Jesse decided to drop in. Would he? She was pretty sure he would, despite her nasty slams the other night. After all, his parting comment had made it clear he was either emotionally invested or the best d.a.m.ned actor this side of George Clooney. the sign on the boutique door to Closed, but didn't lock up. Just in case Jesse decided to drop in. Would he? She was pretty sure he would, despite her nasty slams the other night. After all, his parting comment had made it clear he was either emotionally invested or the best d.a.m.ned actor this side of George Clooney.

Of course, he had a major investment in retrieving the tiny computer chip she had tucked away in the pocket of her miniskirt, too.

But she'd ignore that possibility until she saw him face-to-face.

Audra checked her appearance in the gilt-framed mirror on one wall. A tweak here, a s.h.i.+mmy there, and her leather skirt and chiffon blouse were just right. The glint of her rhinestone belly-b.u.t.ton ring showed through the sheer top. She fluffed her hair, liking the redone magenta tips, and grabbed her purse to find her gloss and add more s.h.i.+ne to her lips.

Shoulders squared, Audra took a long, hard look. d.a.m.ned if she didn't like what she saw. A Wicked Chick with an att.i.tude, but a solid grasp on her future. Not bad.

Not bad at all.

The front door rang a gentle chime as it opened. Antic.i.p.ation swirled a whirlwind through her belly and she lifted her chin. Showtime.

She gave her reflection a wink, a seductive grin curving her lips as she turned.

”Hey, big boy.”

Oops. It wasn't Jesse.

Instead of her s.e.xy hunk, some geeky guy sauntered into the shop. Short, dark and unimpressive.

Audra squinted. He looked familiar, but in the designer sungla.s.ses, it was hard to tell.

”Can I help you?”

”Since you owe me, I'd say you're definitely going to help me now.”

”I beg your...”

The guy whipped off his sungla.s.ses at the same time he pulled out a nasty-looking knife.

”What the...”

”Game's over, hot stuff” he snarled, his tone pure anger. ”You've screwed me over and now it's time to pay.”

”Screwed you over? I have no freaking clue who you you are,” Audra explained, taking an automatic step backward. This was a joke, right? are,” Audra explained, taking an automatic step backward. This was a joke, right?

Except the knife in the geek's hand was anything but funny.

Geek.

Oh, my G.o.d.

”Dave Larson?” she whispered, her mouth suddenly as dry as the Mojave. His laugh sent chills down her spine.

”I'm glad you're not playing dumb,” he said with a friendly smile. That smile worried Audra more a lot more than the s.h.i.+ny knife in his hand. It was pure ice, with an edgy anger that made it clear he was a man with nothing to lose. ”I'd hate to think I'd have to educate you. This way, we're on the same page and can help each other out, hmm?”

”Just because I know your name doesn't mean we're on the same page,” Audra told him.

His icy smile melted. Apparently, she should have kept her mouth shut.

”Thanks to you, I'm screwed. Not only did you sell me out to the triad, you ruined my love life. Because of you, I've lost everything.”