High Stakes Gamble by Mimi Barbour

popularity contest were pretty well nil. It pissed him off because he’d always enjoyed the camaraderie in the place.
    He relaxed his shoulders, took a deep breath and knocked. Cory boomed, his voice full of fury. “Enter at your own peril.”
    Kai hesitated. Now what? Leave or stay…
    He slowly opened the door and leaned into the room. “I’ll go if you want—”
    Cory slammed down the phone receiver so hard Kai wondered why it hadn’t broken. “Get your ass in here. We have big trouble.”

Chapter Seventeen
    Fighting for her next breath, Aurora sunk deeper into the waves of disbelief. Dealing with the fact that this had happened to her took all she had. How the hell was she supposed to accept that when the ‘shit hit the fan’ she wasn’t any different from other victims?
    For the first time in her working life, her training didn’t kick in. If she could shove aside the screams so her brain could function, then maybe she could do more than whimper and bite her lips to stop the nervous breakdown waiting in the wings.
    Stumbling recklessly, she ran from office to office in her futile search, but in her heart, she knew it wouldn’t do any good. Lily was gone. Eventually, the doctor who shadowed her led her away from the distressed women in the waiting room.
    “I’ve just called your office and spoke to Lieutenant Ashton. He says they’ll be here immediately. We’ve followed the same process you installed last time and no-one has left the premises. Is there anything else you’d like us to do?”
    The doctor all but forced her to sit. Then he tried to give her medication, but she slapped it away. Stunned? In shock? She might be. Stupid? Not likely. As soon as her legs worked and her brain kicked in, she’d find the son-of-a-bitch responsible for taking Lily and the bastard would have to die. For the first time, she truly understood the fury that had driven Kai for so long when he lost his sister.
    If she could, she’d rip the animal apart who had dared take her baby. Visions of a nurse holding out her arms started to emerge. A woman, not a man. Soft spoken and gentle—not an animal in an elevator.
    My God, the Chang-Lees were scum. Using any method available to get the merchandise they needed, they obviously didn’t give a rat’s ass who they hurt in the process.
    Now why did she automatically suspect them for the deed? Pain radiated throughout her head and she clutched her temples. So many scenarios played havoc with her she couldn’t seem to focus on any one thought at a time. The tingling in her ears began to niggle. What facts had she considered? They must have been important. But her brain wouldn’t work to replay them.
    Viciously shaking her head, rubbing her throbbing brow, wanting to drive her fist through the skin into the bone deep inside to shut down the rising nightmares, she yearned for someone. Debbie, no Lisa. No! They weren’t around. Ham or—or better yet, Cory. He’d know. He’d help her. She craved someone who mattered… who cared.
    Then the door burst open and Kai, followed by Cory, rushed in. Her absentee lover moved quickly over to where she sat, lifted her into his arms like a baby and cradled her against him.
    Her control broke. Tears gushed and sobs followed. She wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to the one man who she knew shared her terror.
    “Shuuu, Darlin’. It’s okay. We’ll get her back.” He swayed from side to side, nuzzling his face into her hair. When she tried to pull back and speak, her mouth brushed his cheek and she tasted salty dampness. Sobs erupted once again.
    Husky, but firm with conviction, Kai whispered for her ears alone. “Our baby is going to be fine. We’ll find her. I promise.”
    Meanwhile, he’d carried her over to the far corner for privacy. Gratified, she fought to recover. Struggling to let him know she wanted to stand, to be released, she liked that he did so but slowly and gently, affection rampant in every move he