Once the bags were in the trunk, Kara handed Tami an envelope and then hugged her, stepping back and watching as the other woman climbed into her beat-up Volkswagen and drove away. Blake let Tami go, knowing Kyle would follow her and track her destination.

Kara eyed a small piece of paper in her hand and started to walk unknowingly toward him and the side of the building where she’d parked the truck, but she hesitated as she neared the dark enclave where he was waiting. Secretary, his ass, he thought for the millionth time. She was trained and trained well, her instincts on high alert. She cut to her left, away from him, and he stepped out from the darkness.

“Kara.”

She stilled and turned back to him, her face washed of the shock he sensed in her, her body stiff with discomfort she didn’t hide as well. “Blake.”

“You didn’t really think you could sneak out that easily, did you?”

“I can explain.”

“I’m sure you can.” He motioned the direction where she’d parked. “In my truck.”

She shook her head. “No. That doesn’t seem like a smart idea, because—”

“I’m not going to kill you,” he said, grabbing her arm and pulling her with him, irritated he could read her thoughts and that’s where her head was at. “And damn it, I wish you’d stop saying I am. It’s starting to get on my nerves.”

“I could scream,” she threatened, all but making him drag her.

“And risk your identity being exposed by the police? I doubt it.” He glared at her. “I told you. I’m not going to kill you. Turn you over my knee and spank your pretty little ass, most likely. That I’d enjoy.”

She gaped. “You wouldn’t.”

“Wouldn’t I?” They were at the truck, and he pressed her against the door, trapping her there, his hands by her head. “What are you doing with Eduardo’s employee?”

“I plead the fifth.”

He ground his teeth, studying her in the beam of the high moon above. “Why are you here, Kara? Because it looks bad. It looks like you’re involved in the thefts.”

Her eyes went wide. “No. I’m not. That’s not it. ” She crossed her arms in front of her. “It’s…it’s something completely different.”

“I’m listening.”

“Tami was in trouble. I was helping her.”

“What kind of trouble?” he pressed.

“I couldn’t just stand by and let her be one of the girls they’re selling to the highest bidder. I couldn’t bear to let it happen.” She inhaled and let it out. “I just couldn’t.” She raised her hands. “Whatever that means happens to me, then it happens.”

“What the hell are you talking about? What girls being sold to the highest bidder? By who?”

She studied him, looking baffled. “You don’t know?”