Daphnes addled brain took in his second barked orderget dressedand that was what she was trying desperately to do, even though it meant peeling the clown suit away from where she had it plastered to her front. Even though it meant revealing her scanty Victorias Secret finery to a crazed gunman.
She attempted to shake out the material, bend and slide the colorful, baggy jumpsuit over first one leg, then the other. She nearly tripped and fell flat on her face. It wasnt humiliating enough that the gunman caught her, oh, no. Worse, he zipped the suit up from the vee in her legs all the way to her neck because her fingers were shaking so hard.
What kind of getup is that? he asked, eyeing her speculatively.
Fully covered now, Daphne felt a bit steadier. She smoothed back a stubborn curl that had slipped out of her clip and snapped back, Its a clown suit, you idiot. Im here to perform at a birthday party. Natalies. Her name is Natalie. You, uh, called her mother by name. Are youaha frriend of Aprils?
Hearing herself squeak, Daphne crossed her arms and grabbed her elbows just to have something solid to hang on to. No one, especially her brothers, would ever believe her if she told them shed stood here trading niceties with a man holding a gun on her.
Logan noticed her wide, tawny cat eyes fixed on the 9mm Luger hed taken from one of Billy Holts confederatesa much larger and more lethal weapon than the handgun he usually carried, a snub-nosed Smith & Wesson. All things considered, the party clown was holding up well. He figured that most women in her position would either be dissolved in tears by now, or theyd have fainted long ago.
So, were finally making progress, he said. Dammit, I forgot Nats birthday. Ill have to make it up to her later. Listen, can I trust you to open the door and call April back here without screaming down the house? I need to talk to her, but Id rather Natalie didnt see me looking like this.
I dont think so, Daphne sniffed. You have one hostage already. I wont be party to helping you get another. Especially not one whos pregnant. What kind of degenerate are you?
Hostage? He grinned then, showing two rows of very white, very even teeth. I think youve been watching too many cop shows on TV. Just attract Aprils attention, please. Then sometime, when Im not so rushed, maybe you and I can sit down over a cold beer and talk about how Id have done things differently if I really was making you my hostage.
Daphne processed only about half of what he said. His killer smile had, in spite of his stubbly beard, devastated her equilibrium. That smile turned him into the most appealing bad boy shed ever had the misfortune to meet. Big surprise. Shed always been a sucker for the wrong men.
No wonder her family thought she needed a keeper! She was actually standing in this room contemplating a date with a man who was obviously on the wrong side of the law. Kieran would have a fit, she thought as she let the intruder hustle her toward the door.
Get April, he said again. And be quick about it.
Daphne cracked the door open, praying the hall would be empty. NoApril Ross was just exiting the adjacent room. From the way she adjusted her smock, she must have been in the bathroom.
Psst! Daphne couldnt think of any other way to get the womans attention.
April turned, curiosity on her face. Daphne looked quickly at the window, ready to shout a warning, but a ray of sunlight winked through the drapes covering the sliding glass door and glinted off the gun in her captors hand. That completely stilled her tongue. She merely beckoned frantically, not caring if her hostess thought she was a nutcase.
April walked slowly toward the woman shed engaged to be her party clown. Yes? Is there something you need, Daphne? A friend of mine took the children outside to play a game. Youll make your entrance after that winds down, okay? If you dont mind, later on Ill have you help me serve refreshments. Cake and ice cream. I figured the kids would like an opportunity to talk with a real clown.
Still unable to work any comprehensible sound through her lips, Daphne simply reached out, latched onto Aprils wrist and yanked her inside the room. The door slammed on its own, and Daphne clasped her hands to her breasts. Im honestly so sorry to do this to you, April, she croaked.
The woman glanced up at the man who hovered close behind Daphne. Her annoyed expression turned to one of recognition. Logan! I wasnt expecting you. I thought you were out of town. Nat will be ecstatic.
Daphne gaped from her hostess to the gunman and back again, while he reached around both and locked that door, too.
April, this isnt a social call. We cant let Nat see me. Im in trouble. I shouldnt have taken refuge hereI forgot it was her birthday. Suffice it to say, I need a little assistance, and then Ill be off.
Daphne, exhibiting more bravery than she had up to now, insinuated herself between the man and the pregnant woman he appeared to know. April, dont listen. Even if hes a friend of yours, thats aiding and abetting, she whispered to her hostess. On the way in, I passed a ton of cops. Something big. Something bad went on. Between us, we can stop him. She waved a hand toward where shed seen the ruckus.
The man studied her with a half-amused expression. Arent you forgetting I have a weapon?
April snorted inelegantly. Honestly, Logan. Quit scaring the poor woman to death. Just tell me whats going on. Why do you look like a skid-row bum?
Sorry, you know I cant tell you. Just get me a shirt of Mikes and his razor. Ive got to alter how I look enough to avoid the men who chased me here.
As if Daphne wasnt attempting to block her, April unlocked the door, opened it and peered down the hall. The coast is clear. Go into our room. You can take anything in Mikes closet. Hes out at sea with his naval unit for two weeks.
Daphne threw her body against the door and slammed it shut. Friend or not, hes obviously involved in whatever just happened. Hes running from the law.
April stared at the woman plastered against her guest room door. Oh, Daphne, you dont understand. Logan is the law. Logan, this is Daphne Malone. I hired her to perform for Nats party.
His rough laugh rolled up from his belly. I love it. Ive gotten so jaded, I didnt believe there were still people around who had the guts to stick their necks out for the good guys.
Youre a cop? Daphne asked, suspicion in every tense line of her body. What force? My brothers LAPD. I know cops in a lot of the local precincts. Im sure Id remember if wed ever met.
Honestly, didnt you tell her youre FBI, Logan? Daphne, meet my crazy brother, Special Agent Logan Grant.
He didnt look altogether happy about the introduction. April, you cant go blabbing what I do for a living to everyone under the sun. The element of surprise is our best defense. Sometimes our only defense.
Feeling sheepish, Daphne quickly sidled away from the door. Ohmigosh! Kieran said I was going to screw up big-time one of these days. Her regard changedbecame rapt as that of April Ross, who smiled with pride at her brother.
The agent actually got red in the face. You need to forget my nameDaphne, is it?and both of you forget I was ever here. He stepped to the window again and made another furtive survey of the street. Look, heres the deal, April. Ive got some real bastards wanting to get their hands on me. Bad enough that theyre in no hurry to give up the hunt. They probably have the area blanketed with sharpshooters. I dont think changing into Mikes shirt will make a lot of difference. So Ill wait until the more obvious searchers move up the street. Then Ill slip out through the back and take my chances. At least I can try to lead them away from this house.