Locke and Load by Donna Michaels

insides seized. Hell no! The last thing he wanted was that woman under his roof. All five gazes slammed into him. He forced his expression to remain neutral. He didn’t like where this was heading. Not one damn bit.
    “You have a guest room, right?”
    Shit. He never should have invited the captain over for poker last month. His gaze narrowed on the man. Was this payback for cleaning the guy out? Nah. The captain was a straight shooter. This was just Cage’s dumbass luck. He glanced at the “guest” in question. Christ. She was whiter than a ghost.
    Was staying with him such a chore?
    His mind did an about-face. If the thought made her this damn uncomfortable, imagine what the act would do. He lifted his chin and nodded. “Yes, sir.”
    “Good, then I’m sure you won’t mind putting the lieutenant up while she’s here.”
    He nodded again, and enjoyed the look of pure panic skittering through her gaze. She obviously didn’t want to stay with him.
    Why?
    It didn’t matter. Once his boss gave an order, it was a done deal. Something the former NIO was about to discover.
    She turned back to the captain. “Sir, I don’t want to put anyone out. I have no problem bunking here at the precinct.”
    “Nonsense, Ms. Locke.” Rivera rebuked her protest with ease. “We all know how important a decent night’s sleep is to an investigation whenever possible. You’ll be better off at Detective Burnett’s. He has a great little bungalow near the beach.”
    He watched her draw in a breath and nod. Her shoulders were stiff, face grim. The woman was not happy. Too damn bad. A smile tugged at his lips.
    “All right then, carry on.” The captain dismissed them with a wave as he headed back to his chair.
    Locke walked to the corner to retrieve a black suitcase. Her rigid demeanor was full of undisguised misery. Damn. She really did not want to be near him. Anger began to burn his gut. Too fucking bad. She was stuck with him.
    He watched as she extended the handle with a snap, then tugged her belongings toward the door.
    “What are you doing?” A frowning Jersey stepped toward the disgruntled woman.
    Two perfect brows knitted together. “I’m taking my stuff, why? Aren’t we leaving?”
    “Yes, but let me help you.” His partner moved her hand away, pushed the handle down, then grabbed the side grip and lifted the suitcase off the floor.
    “You don’t have to do that. I can get it,” she insisted.
    “I know, but where I’m from, a gentleman does these things.” Delaney looked disapprovingly at Cage and added, “I guess southern hospitality doesn’t extend to suitcases.”
    With that, his partner walked out the door, followed by the governor’s aide, a small smile tugging her generous mouth.
    Wilson snickered. “Guess he told you.”
    Cage let out a breath, held his tongue, and strode from the office. He hadn’t been given much of a chance to help, although, truth be told, he hadn’t planned on offering.

Chapter Five
     
    W ould this day ever end?
    A slight pounding started behind Nikki’s eyes. She rubbed at her temple in a pathetic attempt to will the throbbing away. Her gaze connected with the grim man striding toward her and the friendly detective as they waited for the elevator.
    He said nothing. Just stopped and stood behind his partner. Delaney turned and thrust her suitcase at the scowling bugger.
    “Here, you should take this. I’m driving my own car home, remember?” The light-haired detective turned back to her empty-handed and smiled. “I would invite you both over for supper, but I’m still settling in.”
    “That’s okay,” Nikki rushed to say, wanting to put the kind man at ease as they stepped into the opened elevator. Delaney would’ve been a great buffer. “I’m sure we’ll manage.”
    She lied. She was far from sure. In fact, the only thing Nikki was certain of was the stark tension emanating from the silent man gripping her suitcase. He stood behind her, resembling a snake,