Bringing Benjy Home (Security Ops) by Kylie Brant Page B

shortly. She noted the expression of mild surprise that he allowed to show on his dark features as he watched her polish off the first cheeseburger with delicate efficiency. “I suppose I could spare you a few fries if you’re feeling desperate,” she offered grudgingly.
    “No,” he said in bemusement, “go ahead. I’ll order something for myself.” He turned his head and beckoned to Elaine, who was looking at him fixedly.
    Jaida heaved a sigh. Even the amiable older lady seemed susceptible to the man’s magnetism. He gave her his order and then turned his attention back to Jaida.
    “Look,” he said. “About what happened back there . . .”
    “I’d rather not discuss it now,” Jaida told him, reaching for her second cheeseburger. “I just got my appetite back as it is.”
    “Yours or a linebacker’s?” he inquired. She made a face at him and didn’t answer. He watched with a touch of awe as she made short work of the second cheeseburger and started on the French fries. By the time Elaine slid his sandwich in front of him, Jaida was neatly wiping her mouth.
    “Can I get you any dessert, hon?” Elaine asked.
    Trey’s eyes widened as Jaida appeared to actually consider the offer. She finally shook her head.
    “No, I don’t think so.”
    “Wise choice,” Trey commented. “I was beginning to think I was going to have to send you home in the plane’s cargo compartment.”
    She ignored the dig. Her headache hadn’t lessened appreciably, and even satisfying her returned appetite hadn’t succeeded in driving away the chill in her blood. Stoically, she accepted the fact that the effects from the scene in the motel room were not going to be hastened away. “You won’t be buying me another plant ticket, in the cargo compartment or otherwise.”
    Trey leveled a steely look at her. “Yes,” he corrected her grimly, “I will. As soon as possible, as a matter of fact. This charade is over, and we both know it.”
    “The only thing I know,” she said in exasperation, “is that you’re as dense as an Arkansas mule and twice as stubborn. I am your best hope for finding Benjy. Why won’t you accept that?”
    “If you think that little scene in the motel room proved anything, you’re dead wrong,” he answered. He’d spent too many minutes staring down at that damn drawer, logic warring with involuntary, futile hope. He despised himself for having allowed himself to fall victim, even for a short time, to that immediate, desperate will to believe her. “The police found no evidence that Benjy had been there, and neither did we. I have some contacts to make while I’m in Boston, but there’s no reason for you to hang around until I’m finished, especially since we’ll be heading in opposite directions when we fly out of here.”
    Jaida surveyed him impatiently. Never had she met a more obtuse man. “You can fly out—I’m not.”
    He closed his eyes briefly in frustration. “All right, we’ll get you a train ticket. A bus,” he said at her shake of negation. “Woman, what the hell do you want? Is it your fee?” A jeering note entered his voice on the final word. He pulled his wallet from his back pocket. Twenty-four hours ago he would never have believed that he would offer to pay off the link fraud, but right now it seemed well worth it to be rid of her.
    Eyes narrowed dangerously, Jaida wished she’d ordered some of that cream pie Elaine had offered, for the sheer pleasure of shoving it in Trey’s arrogant face. “Keep your money,” she shot back, leaning across the table toward him. “I don’t want it, and I’m growing tired of you. I’m staying, and I’ll continue the search for Benjy by myself. I promised to help your sister, and I’m not going to be deterred by the fact that her brother is a cretin. You can go flying back to California and dabble in your precious proof and evidence. I, on the other hand, am going to bring that sweet nephew of yours home again.”
    “I don’t