White Collared Part Three: Revenge Read Online Free Page A

lucky break when you disobeyed our orders. If you had been home . . .”
    I could’ve died . “I’ll take your gun, but don’t even think about kicking me off this case.”
    Since her daddy had drilled into her the importance of the constitutional right to bear arms, she’d gotten a concealed pistol license as soon as she’d legally been able. He’d explained that, like a passport, it was a smart thing to have in case of an emergency. Of course, he never would’ve imagined his daughter, a champion shooter, wouldn’t own a dozen guns.
    Jaxon turned her to him. “Kate, I’m not worth risking your life over.”
    Knowing the modern gun could not accidentally discharge but trembling nonetheless, she picked it up and slipped it into her purse. “I disagree. Whoever called me and sent that message—”
    “Message? What message?” Nick asked.
    Damn it. Too many pills had loosened her tongue. “This morning someone sent me a message through Facebook.”
    Nick clenched his hands. “I want to see it. Now .”
    She brought up the e-mail on her cell and then handed him the phone. “It came to my personal e-mail address, and then they posted as me on my timeline with some pictures.”
    He perused the message. “Show me the timeline.”
    “I can’t. Logan froze the account.”
    “Logan? Who’s Logan?”
    She shifted from one foot to the other. “Logan Bradford. He interns for Mr. Reaver. He came by my desk this morning and caught sight of it. I wouldn’t have gotten him involved, but as it turns out, he’s a computer whiz. He’s going to trace both the e-mails from Eric Graham and the IP address of whoever accessed my account.”
    Nick’s jaw tightened. “You forwarded the e-mail from Graham knowing it was confidential?”
    “Logan works for the firm,” she said in her attorney voice. “The confidentiality extends to him. Besides, isn’t it better to have someone in the firm helping us rather than hiring an outside computer specialist or private investigator?”
    “You should have spoken to me first about it. I am your boss.” Nick kept his voice calm, but she heard the underlying anger. “You’re keeping secrets that affect this case, and it needs to stop now. What if Reaver discovers his intern is doing work for me and confronts me about it? Do you know how that would make me look?”
    She’d disappointed him. Ashamed, she took full responsibility and looked him directly in the eyes. “I didn’t think about it that way. I’m sorry, sir.”
    “You should be. It was unprofessional. But the damage is done. I know now, and had you asked me, I would’ve given you permission to have Mr. Bradford follow the leads. I’ll speak with Reaver about it tomorrow.” Like someone had flipped a switch, affection replaced his icy demeanor. “In the meantime, take your gun with you wherever you go. I’ve got a trial starting tomorrow afternoon, but if you need me for anything, I’ll find a way to get to you.” He rubbed her arm and lowered his head as if he were going to kiss her.
    She stepped back. “Thank you.”
    Nick inhaled deeply and turned his attention to Jaxon. “I assume your visit to Benediction is postponed to another night?”
    Jaxon threw his arm around her shoulders. “Yes, but she’s coming home with me. Once the media connects Hannah to Kate, they’ll be all over her. At least my place is gated. It keeps them from ringing my doorbell.”
    Nick’s gaze bounced between her and Jaxon again. “Take care of her, Jaxon.”
    He knew.

Chapter Four
    A GENTLE SHAKE lured her out of the peaceful cocoon. “Wake up. We’re here.”
    She blinked the darkness from her eyes. The lamp over Jaxon’s garage illuminated half of his face, emphasizing the scar bisecting his brow. With deep lines carved around his eyes and lips, he looked fatigued, as though he’d gone without sleep for days.
    “I slept the whole way?” As she sloughed off the drowsiness, the events of the last twenty-four hours