Chapter 1

CHAPTER

ONE

Kai Kaleo tossed his empty coffee cup into a trashcan on the bustling DC sidewalk and paused near the curb.

His muscles tightened, and the hair on his neck rose. He pushed his sunglasses higher, determined not to change his demeanor and show he was on guard.

But someone was watching him. He was certain of it.

Years of training and experience had finely tuned his instincts.

Remaining casual, he glanced across the street as vehicles zoomed by in the afternoon rush.

He spotted her.

A woman stood at the edge of the office building across the street. Her dark hair fell into her eyes, hiding some of her features. Her black T-shirt and sunglasses concealed the rest.

But Kai knew she was watching him.

His fists tightened.

Had one of his enemies sent her? Plenty of people had valid reasons for wanting to take him down.

But this woman didn't look threatening—at least not from this distance. She appeared too soft, too nervous. But that didn't mean she wasn't dangerous.

As Kai waited with throngs of professionals for the light to change, his gaze skimmed behind her.

Two men stood farther down the street, each looking at their cell phones as if trying to appear casual.

But their stiff motions and quick glances showed they were also watching.

Based on the bulge of the guns beneath their shirts and their fit physique, they meant trouble.

There were three of them. Three people watching Kai.

He needed to figure out what they wanted. But here on the busy sidewalk with so many bystanders wasn't the place to do so.

A plan formed in his mind.

Remaining casual, he tucked his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket as the traffic light changed, giving him permission to walk. He crossed the street and strode down the sidewalk, keeping pace with those around him.

The smell of the city surrounded him—hot dogs from a stand on the corner, exhaust from cars, and some perfume from a nearby shop. When he peered up at the right angle, he could see the Washington Monument on occasion.

He denied himself the urge to look over his shoulder and see if the woman was still following.

Kai knew she was. He just didn't know how close.

As he passed a car parked on the side of the street, he glanced into the sideview mirror.

There she was. Ten feet behind him. Still trailing.

He couldn't see the two goons with her. Right now, he'd only focus on the woman.

He walked another block before reaching a retail area. He turned into an alley between an upscale greasy spoon and a hotel often frequented by politicians. The space was narrow and dark, lined with three dumpsters and a fire escape.

If the woman followed him this way, as Kai predicted she would, it would be the perfect opportunity to have a little talk with her and find out what she wanted.

Kai needed to turn the tables on her.

He ducked behind a dumpster and waited.

A moment later, the soft thud of tennis shoes sounded.

It was her. His plan had worked.

Kai held his breath, his body locked and loaded as he prepared to act.

He listened closely to her footsteps.

The woman reached the dumpster. Probably six more strides, and she'd be in front of him. Then he'd make his move.

He counted the steps.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

He sprang from the shadows and grabbed the woman's wrists.

She cried out as if his sudden appearance had scared her. Before she could fight back, Kai pinned her hands behind her and shoved her against the brick wall of the restaurant.

"Who are you?" he demanded. "Why are you following me?"

"Please, don't hurt me!" Her voice shook with fear.

Good. He wanted to scare her.

Yet something about her reaction didn't fit the image he'd developed in his mind of this woman.

Operatives who worked for his enemy didn't get scared. Unless this was all an act, an effort to get him to let down his guard.

He had to be careful.

What exactly was she up to?

Kai needed to find out the answers.

Now.

Tori Bristow's pulse surged as fear swept through her.

She was going to die right now, wasn't she? This man—Kai Kaleo—wanted to kill her.

Please, Lord. Help me!

The rough ridges of the brick wall dug into her face, and her cheek stung with pain. Smelly dumpsters stood on either side of her. And a man—maybe a deadly operative—held her at his mercy.

"Who are you, and what do you want?" Kai demanded, his tone hard and unyielding.

"Please." Her voice trembled. "Don't hurt me."

Tori had no idea when she began shadowing him that he'd be violent or put her in this position.

"I asked who you are," he repeated. "And why are you following me?"

"I . . . I just want to talk."

"Talk?" He nearly scoffed as he repeated the word. "Who sent you?"

"No . . . no one." What was he talking about? Were others trying to find him as well? "I don't know what you mean. I came on my own accord."

"Stop playing dumb. I'm not falling for your act."

His hot breath hit her ear as he leaned into her, and the subtle scent of his leathery aftershave broke through the putrid smell of trash.

"This isn't an act. I just want to talk." Tori had to convince him she was telling the truth. If she didn't . . . she could only imagine what this man might do.

"Then why didn't you just approach me instead of trying to be sneaky?"

The reasons slammed into her mind. Tori had clearly put herself in a dangerous position. But she'd never imagined this . . . she'd only wanted answers.

"I didn't know if I could trust you." Her voice sounded strained, even to her own ears. "I didn't know if you were a good guy or a bad guy. I . . . I still don't know. You're hurting me."

Her cheek continued to sting as he kept her pressed against the rough bricks.

Kai's grip loosened slightly. "Fine. I'm going to release you. But one wrong move and you're right back up against the wall . . . understand?"

"I understand." Her voice squeaked.

He released her.

Slowly, Tori turned around, rubbing her wrists where his hands had clamped onto her.

Her life depended on her doing as Kai asked.

She raised her hands in the air to prove she wasn't a threat.

Then she observed Kai a moment—this time up close instead of from a distance. The man appeared part Asian with broad shoulders and a strong build. Just under six feet tall. Perceptive brown eyes. Thick, dark hair. He'd taken off his sunglasses—just as she had when she entered the dark alley.

She'd placed them in her shirt pocket, but she had a feeling they were busted now.

The man's nostrils flared, and his eyes grew steely as he stared her down. "Start talking. My patience is running thin."

Tori swallowed hard before saying, "I don't mean any harm. I just didn't know who else to turn to."

His eyes narrowed. "Turn to about what?"

"My brother died two weeks ago." Her voice trembled. "I've been trying to find answers about what really happened to him. That search for answers led me to you."

Kai shook his head, and his brows lifted as if he hadn't expected her words. "Who was your brother?"

"Nathan Bristow, and my name is Tori Bristow."

Some of the confusion left his gaze, replaced with more agitation. "Never heard of him."

He was about to manhandle her again, wasn't he?

"No!" She raised her hands in front of her and braced herself. "Please!"

But Kai didn't touch her. Instead, his jaw twitched as he stared at her. "I'm going to need more of an explanation than that."

"I'd love to talk to you about it. But not like this. Not here. Please." The isolated location felt too risky. Her pulse roared in her ears as her blood pressure climbed.

His gaze remained hard. "Who are those two guys with you?"

"What two guys?" Tori glanced around, her eyes widening with fear. "I don't have anyone with me."

She didn't see anyone else in the alley. So what was he talking about?

She'd come here to DC alone. She hadn't told a soul.

She had no one to tell, especially now that her engagement had ended.

"Don't lie to me," Kai growled. "I saw those two men shadowing you. Are they your backup?"

Shakes overtook her limbs. Tori had no idea what he was talking about. But she didn't like the implications.

"I'm telling you the truth," she stammered. "It's just me. If men are following me . . . it's not because I asked them to."

Kai stiffened with realization and glanced at the end of the alley. Tori followed his gaze.

The silhouette of two men appeared near the street.

Fear clutched Tori with such force she could hardly breathe.

She'd never seen those men before.

But she knew one thing for sure.

She was in trouble.

Kai seemed to agree as he grabbed her arm. "We've got to get out of here."