Negotiating Point by Adrienne Giordano Page B

deepest part of her tunneled its way out, clawing at her, reminding her she was a lonely computer geek who had long been misunderstood by the world. And worse, she was a lonely computer geek coveting the love Roxann Taylor had.
    God’s sake, Janet, the woman was held hostage.
    Sparing not a glance at Michael and Roxann, Gavin walked by them and headed straight toward her. She breathed in. Could this be the man who would finally accept, without judgment, her need to spend hours in front of a computer? The one strong enough to withstand the ridiculous amount of testosterone surrounding her on a daily basis?
    On cue, a huge chunk of that testosterone, namely Vic, marched down the driveway toward Gavin, and Janet half ran to keep on his heels. Too damned many long-legged people in this world.
    The three of them met halfway down the drive and Gavin stared at her for three seconds—she’d counted—before addressing Vic. “Everyone is safe. Your team is securing the HTs and the weapons.”
    She spotted the tattered material on Gavin’s tac vest and sucked in a breath. “You got shot?”
    “No. My vest got shot.”
    Funny man. She’d slap him later. “Are you hurt?”
    He slid his gaze to her. “No. The vest did its job.”
    By the looks of that vest, it must have been a wallop.
    Vic glanced to the house and shook his head. “Jesus, head-shrinker. You got a set of stones. Freaking lunatic.”
    “Rudeness!” Janet said.
    Gavin laughed. “Yeah, well, this mess is your problem now. You and Mike need to get Rox in front of a judge with these dopes. She’ll present probable cause in relation to the abduction and these boys are off the streets.”
    “You know it, head-shrinker. They’re going down on this one. I’ll take them to the PD myself.”
    Roxann would receive justice for her ordeal, but Joe’s son would lose his father. No winners anywhere and Janet’s heart tore an inch for that sweet young boy. At least his father was alive. She’d never understand how a man allowed himself to get sucked into something that risked his child’s happiness.
    No wonder she spent so much time avoiding people.
    Her gaze moved back to Michael and Roxann, still in the driveway, with Michael smothering kisses over her face and hands and then—would you look at that—her belly. After this, he’d never let Rox go anywhere alone. What a battle that would be. And so fun to watch. The insidious envy from moments ago vanished and Janet closed her eyes.
    She’d get her turn.
    She would.
    She’d just have to wait.
    The sound of the front door slapping alerted Vic to his team exiting the house and he marched toward them. Janet remained mesmerized by Michael and Roxann. “Did you see that?” she asked Gavin. “Amazing.”
    When he didn’t respond, she retrieved the iPod from her pocket and held it out. He focused on her outstretched hand, but stayed quiet. Was having the iPod pushing it? Somehow an invasion? Too familiar? What?
    People.
    Give her a computer any day.
    “It’s not a big deal,” she said. “I thought you might want it.”
    He scooped the iPod from her hand and grabbed her arm. “Come with me. We’ll talk to the mother and son and send them on their way.”
    That was it? Minutes ago, she’d admitted to herself that she loved this man and he was back to business as usual? Really? That bit about him being the one who might understand her?
    Forget it.
    * * *
    Gavin talked Vic into letting Joe say goodbye to his son. The guy might be a certified nut job, but his son deserved a few minutes with the father he’d spend years without.
    At least the kid would be able to visit a prison instead of a cemetery.
    Something to be thankful for.
    Watching the kid hug his father opened an enormous, aching hole in Gavin’s chest and he turned away.
    “You okay?” Janet asked.
    Maybe. If he could fill the hole, yes, he’d be okay. Once again, he grabbed Janet’s arm, hauling her with him to the barn. When he’d walked out of