her.”
“Most times,” Molly said, “he barely acknowledges her. I don’t know why she puts up with him, if you want the truth.”
“I wouldn’t,” Natalie said. “But for Kathi, I guess it’s a trade-off. She likes the prestige of Dad’s wealth. The fancy parties with the upper crust of society. The respect and …” She searched for the right word.
“Power,” Molly supplied. “Dad has a certain level of authority, and they both know it.”
Dare twisted to look at the clock on the kitchen wall. “How early are you talking?”
Following his gaze, Natalie, too, checked the clock. “You’ve probably got three and a half hours. They’re always up by six and out of the house by seven-thirty. You can call on them anytime in between that and catch them at home. After that it’s a guessing game. They both stay überbusy with stuff.”
“Thanks.” That would give him some time. He watched Molly take her pizza apart, eating the pepperoni ahead of the rest. She had feminine hands, despite the short nails. She licked pizza sauce off the tip of one finger, and everything in him clenched in need.
He wanted her again, bad. Soon as he got her sister and Jett out the door, he’d work that out.
With that end goal in mind, he sent a pointed look at Jett. “If you’re done eating …”
“Dare.” Sounding stern, Molly admonished him. “Don’t be so rude.”
“Not a problem.” Jett stood, bringing Natalie to her feet with him. “We should get going anyway. And I’m sure you two have plans to make.”
Natalie wavered. “I don’t understand why you want to visit Dad and Kathi.”
“You said it yourself.” Jett put an arm around her. “Your dad has influence, so he probably has connections that’ll assist their inquiries.” Over Natalie’s head, he gave one small negative shake at Dare.
Both Dare and Molly understood: Natalie didn’t need to know that her father might be complicit in Molly’s kidnapping. She was in love, looking toward a bright future. No reason to drop a black reality on her right now.
“I guess.” The strain of exhaustion and worry showed on Natalie’s face. “But I really hate to let you out of my sight. I’m so afraid you’ll disappear on me again.”
“I promise that I won’t.” Molly hugged her sister tight. “Go home and try to get some sleep now. I’m safe, and I’m going to stay safe.”
As if she sensed how things would soon be changing, Natalie lingered in the hug. “We have so much to talk about.”
“I know.” Showing that inner strength that Dare admired so much, Molly smiled when Natalie finally released her. “I’ll call you later, when I can.” In a stage whisper meant to tease, she added, “I’m dying to hear all the details about your and Jett’s whirlwind romance.”
“Ditto,” Natalie told her. She gave a pointed look at Dare. “I think your story is going to be far more riveting.”
“Makes sense,” Jett said. “She is a writer, after all.”
Jett had the nonchalant air of a man who knew his ability, so wasn’t threatened by much. Dare only hoped the attitude was warranted. “All joking aside, you two need to be careful. I don’t think there’s any direct threat to Natalie, but we know that the apartment was being watched, so someone could be keeping tabs on her, too. We can’t assume otherwise.”
“Never would.” Jett kept Natalie close to his side and pulled out his wallet. He fished out a business card and handed it to Dare. “If anything happens, give me a call. I’ll keep my phone on me.” He met his gaze. “You want to share a number so I can return the favor?”
“Oh, yeah,” Natalie said. “I want to be able to call Molly.”
Molly shook her head. “My purse is missing, and my phone was in it.”
“Not a problem. We’ll get her another phone today, but until then …” Dare got a pen and paper from the table that had held the note. He jotted down his number and gave it to Jett. Depending on what happened tomorrow with Molly’s father, they might be leaving straight from there to return to his home, and Molly wouldn’t get a chance to see her sister again for a while.
The only way he’d be staying is if he busted her father right off and could call in the authorities to put an end to the threat.
Jett looked around the apartment. “You have this place locked down?”
“I rigged a few things. No one is going to get in without me knowing it.”
Molly turned to him with surprise. “When did you do that?”
Not touching her was getting damned difficult. “While you were sleeping.”
She tucked in her chin. “I’m usually a light sleeper, but I didn’t hear you.”
Which only showed how safe she felt with him, and how sated she’d been after her climax. “You were … really out.” He couldn’t hold back a sense of satisfaction.
“Oh.” Color tinged her cheeks.
“That reminds me, I also stacked your mail over on the table. You have some stuff that looks important. I think from your publisher and maybe your agent.”
Immediately she put down her napkin and went to the table to check it out. Natalie followed her.
Dare motioned for Jett to join him around the corner into the kitchen.
“Nice work. You knew she wouldn’t ignore business.”
“We needed a minute.” Dare kept his voice low to keep from alerting the women. “Do you still have friends in the FBI?”
“‘Course. How can I help?”
“For starters, keep Natalie pinned down. I didn’t want to rattle Molly any more than she already is, but neither of them should be out and about on her own.”
“Already made that decision.” Jett ran a hand through his hair. “It’s not going to be easy, though, especially when she gets back to teaching.”
“Figure it out.” Molly was his priority, but as her sister, Natalie got his concern through association.
“Yeah, I will.” He considered things, but only for a moment. Then, with a shrug of resignation, he stated, “I’ll either drive her or follow her. Don’t worry about it.”
With that settled, Dare said, “Molly’s car.”
“What about it?”
“It’s been sitting out there in the lot the whole time she was gone, easy prey for tampering. No way in hell am I letting her in it until it’s been checked. But it’s not safe to leave it there, either.”
Comprehension lifted Jett’s chin. “Ah. You want me to get someone
