Unwritten by Tressie Lockwood Page B

Taggert. “I want to know the minute there’s anything to lead us to Paine’s capture. I will be involved should he resurface.”
    Taggert grunted over the line. “Keep Mrs. Sloane safe. I’ll be in touch.”
    Kian disconnected the call. He had kept Taggert at a distance, only using his last name and allowing his partner to use only his. He knew Taggert waited for the invitation to become friends, but he wouldn’t give it. He’d told the director he preferred to work alone, but his wishes were tossed aside. He had to deal with it, fine, but he didn’t have to like it or become pals with Taggert.
    That afternoon, Kian took Evie out to eat lunch, and then they perused a bookstore together. He stood close by, watching her reading comics while munching chocolate candies she’d dumped from its packaging into her pocket.
    “Oh wow, I forgot all about this one,” she said, holding up the book, which started from the back instead of the front, oddly enough. “I have to buy it.”
    “Whatever you want.”
    She eyed him. “I got it, thanks. Crap, I lost track of this anime. I have to see if there are any more episodes.”
    Kian shook his head. He had no idea what she was talking about. He knew she liked what he called cartoons, but after the first time of mentioning them by that title and her scolding him, he kept his thoughts on the subject to himself.
    “Okay. Well, enjoy.” He walked over to a bench, positioned in a spot where he could watch her, and sat down. Evie wore a dress that showed off her lovely figure and shapely legs. Sandals on her feet allowed him to see her toes, and he sighed at his wife’s beauty. A scan of his surroundings showed no suspicious persons, but he stayed on slight alert, something he did whenever they left the house.
    A group of giggling teenagers strolled over and stopped in front of him. One of the girls leaned down with a smile he assumed was to charm him. “I’m Shelley. Who are you?”
    Kian blinked. He’d had women come on to him plenty of times, and he sent them on their way, but never teenage girls. “I’m old enough to be your father.”
    The girl pouted. He realized she tried to show off her cleavage, and her girlfriends’ laughter sounded around him. “Don’t be like that. We should go get a drink.” Kian sighed. “I’m sure you’re not old enough.” He pulled his badge from his jacket pocket, and fear transformed the girl’s face. “Go,” he commanded, and the girls skittered away.
    To Kian’s annoyance, when he looked to where Evie had been standing, he found her gone. He jumped to his feet and charged down the aisle, then turned to another and another. She was nowhere in sight. His heart raced, and adrenaline pumped through his veins. He ran through various scenarios and what steps he needed to take should he find Paine had taken her again. Could he control his rage?
    Pulling his phone from his pocket, he started to dial Evie. He’d bought her a new phone to replace the one Paine destroyed and prayed she remembered to take it with her to the store. She’d told him the day before that she had no one to call, and with the two of them together all the time and Leo in the safe house, she might as well not bother with it. Kian kicked himself for not ensuring she carried it today.
    He was just bringing her name up on his screen when he spotted her with her hand raised and her back to him. Kian paused an instant to take in the scene and noted the man standing in front of Evie, his gaze locked on her upturned face. He stood at least six-four and seemed to have Kian by fifty pounds, yet Kian knew he was no small man himself. He didn’t hesitate for a second, but charged down the aisle and stepped in front of Evie to face the man.
    “State your business with her now,” he pushed between gritted teeth. “Did Paine send you?”
    The man’s face fell from a smile to a sneer. “I don’t think it’s any of your business, buddy.”
    Evie squeaked behind him and