Collector's Item by Denise Golinowski Page A

out and have been getting conflicting reports. Most credible ones seem to have him heading north.”
    Peyton pushed himself up against his pillows, then grabbed the control to adjust the angle of the bed. Over the whirr of the motor, he followed the thought. “Could be, but something doesn’t feel right about it. Benny might have something for us.”
    Ham jiggled his foot where it crossed his knee. “I remember him from your reports. Pricey informant.”
    “You get what you pay for. Without his backing, I’d never have gotten as far into the Collectors as I did. I’ll have to call him myself. He’s the nervous type.”
    “But he’ll talk on the phone?”
    “If Benny’s lines aren’t clean, no one’s are.” Peyton reached into the bedside table drawer and pulled out his cell. “The Protectorate itself probably can’t touch his security systems.”
    Ham snorted as Peyton slid the phone open and punched in Benny’s number. After three rings, a familiar voice rumbled into Peyton’s ear.
    “Lofland’s.”
    “Do you carry any of Laney Toliver’s work?”
    Benny never missed a beat. “I’m sorry. Could you repeat that?”
    “Do you carry any of Laney Toliver’s work?”
    “Please wait while I check.” There was a pause and several barely audible clicks. Benny’s voice came back, tinny but clear. “Peyton, I heard you were dead.”
    “I was. I didn’t like it.” Peyton frowned at Ham’s chuckle. “Douglas Torne’s in the wind. I need to find out where he’s headed.”
    Benny gave a snort of his own. “Don’t ask for much, do you?”
    “He’s not travelling alone. I’m thinking a mid-size private jet.”
    “I’ll have to do some checking.” Benny paused and then added, “It’ll cost you.”
    “It always does.”
    Peyton cut the connection and set the phone back on the table. “We should hear something soon.”
    “He’s that good?”
    Peyton nodded. “He’s that connected.”
    “And you trust him?”
    Peyton’s smile tightened. “As far as I can throw him. But he’s been reliable so far. Besides, he knows what’ll happen when it comes out that he’s been helping the Alliance.”
    Ham dropped his foot to the ground and stood up. He held out his hand to Peyton. “Well, let me know when you hear something. Glad you’re feeling better. Next time, duck.”
    Peyton smiled. “Believe me, I will.” Ham’s tighter than normal grip conveyed his concern more than the casual words. Peyton gave a little nod. “I’ll feel better when you get me out of here.”
    Max perked up at the distant chime of the elevator. Anticipating why, Peyton tensed when he recognized KT’s voice. She was talking with someone, maybe a nurse, their voices drawing closer.
    “I’ll see what I can do about that.” Ham scooped up his hat and clapped it down over his crew cut. “Oh, and I’ve posted a man outside your room, just as a precaution.”
    Distracted, Peyton nodded, uncomfortable with how Ham would take KT’s arrival. Hell, he wasn’t sure how he felt about KT Marant, but he certainly didn’t want Ham speculating about it. However, it didn’t look like he’d have an option.
    She’s alpha , Max said.
    She’s a princess, and I’m not interested , Peyton said.
    Yes, you are.
    Ham’s last comment penetrated and Peyton sat up. “What?”
    Outside, a man asked KT for identification.
    Ham frowned. “Torne’s a nasty customer. I don’t want any surprises.”
    KT stepped through the doorway and stopped when she saw Peyton wasn’t alone. “Oh. I’m sorry.” She looked from Peyton to Ham. “Am I interrupting something?”
    Peyton could practically hear the defenses slamming into place around her as the KT he knew disappeared into a poised politico. Her smile cooled to take on a high-profile gloss while her dark gaze measured the stranger in front of her. Her shoulders tightened, her balance shifted, settled. En garde.
    Ham swept his hat off his head and under one arm as he stepped around the