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“I hope so.” Whitney tried to capture an elusive memory, but the drugs slowed her thought process. She stared at a framed travel poster of Venice on the wall. Adam offered her some water, and she took it. The thought resurfaced as she swallowed. “Ryan’s friends threw the pipe bomb. The car-”

“We know. Ashley gave us Domenic Coriz’s name. He’s stonewalling but one of his men admits throwing the pipe bomb and driving the car. It was all about the land you and Ryan owned.”

She listened, ignoring the persistent ache in her side. Another thought exploded in her brain. How could she have forgotten? “Jasper! His chip.”

“I know. You told me.”

“I did?” She couldn’t recall telling him about her discovery.

“Yes. You came to for just long enough to tell me before the ambulance arrived.” He kissed her cheek, and she looked into those blue-blue eyes she loved so much. “I thought it might be the last thing you ever said. You’ve really had me worried.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

“You couldn’t help it. You’ve been very sick.”

“What’s wrong with me?”

“The gunshot ruptured your spleen. You had massive internal bleeding that was hard to control. You’ve been here eight days.”

“Eight days? How could I have lost track of so much time?” Another thought niggled at her brain. This one surfaced more easily. “What about those men and the disc?”

“Quinten Foley arranged to transfer the info from Jasper’s chip and put enough of it on a disc to fool the terrorists.”

“Miranda?” She had a muddled impression of seeing Miranda hovering over her with Adam. How many days ago had that been?

“I called Miranda while you were in surgery. She flew here immediately. She’s just stepped out to get coffee. Your cousin is as brave as you are. Wearing a wire, she took the disc and met the terrorists. The wire caught enough on tape to keep them in prison for years.”

“Is Miranda in trouble or anything for her part in the arms deals?”

Adam shook his head. “She cooperated fully with the authorities and has given them access to the offshore accounts. They waived any charges.”

Whitney closed her eyes for a moment, trying to absorb it all.

“Get some rest,” Adam told her.

She snapped open her eyes. “No way. I’ve been out too long. You solved the case without me.”

“Be serious. If you hadn’t discovered the chip, the terrorists would never have believed Miranda had the real deal.”

“Then it’s over, really over. I can begin a new life.”

He lovingly studied her face for a moment. “Yes. It’s time for act two. You’re the star. I know you want to become a vet. I’m with you all the way.”

“What about you? I might have to move up north.”

“Don’t worry about it. I love you. We’ll work it out,” he told her with a reassuring smile. “I’ve arranged to let Tyler buy me out over time. I’m not really interested in the business he’s developed. I’ve always thought computer security is the wave of the future. After this chip thing, I’m sure I’m right.”

All that truly registered in Whitney’s brain was I love you. That was what really mattered to her. She’d taken a wrong turn, but now she was finally on the right path. “Adam, I couldn’t love you more.”

He squeezed her hand. “I think we should take some time for ourselves. To really get to know each other, Let’s drive up North with the dogs and-”

“Oh my gosh. Is Lexi all right? How’s Jasper?”

He kissed her cheek, his lips warm against her skin. “They’re fine. Lexi sleeps curled around Jasper. They’ve taken over the bed. We’re going to play hell getting any space for ourselves.”

Whitney giggled, then smiled up at Adam. “It’s okay. We’ll figure something out.” What really counted, she knew, was that they were together.

ISBN: 978-1-55254-777-9

KISS OF DEATH

Copyright © 2007 by M. Sawyer-Unickel

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