Reed (The Love Family Series Book 4) by Kate Allenton Page B

struggled not to climb into the back and look through the stuff.
     
    ****
     
    Emily emptied the contents of the box on the kitchen table. And Reed was fast to grab the neoprene sleeve in the shape of an L. He studied it, running his fingers over the groove on the inside. “This is it.”
    Reed plopped down in a chair, studying the design.
    “I’ll go with Reed back to the Island while you two keep an eye on Janice,” Avery announced and glanced at the others. “I want you two to break into wherever they’re storing the computers and patient records, and take the contents somewhere safe until we get back.”
     
     

 
     
    Chapter 12

     
     
    Reed settled into the plush leather seat on the jet as they reached their cruising altitude. He examined the sleeve, wondering exactly how Alice had manufactured the object. The construction and intricacies of the little spokes that would stop his computer from overheating were ingenious. Why did she need it? Alice was a doctor. A computer encryption would have saved her patients’ files from prying eyes, but this….this was something else. He could feel it in his core and knew whatever they uncovered wouldn’t be good.
    “What’s rolling around in that thick head of yours?”
    “Pandora’s box,” he answered. “Are we sure we really want to know what Alice went to all of this trouble to hide?”
    “If it helps find her, then yes,” Avery said reassuringly, sliding the sleeve from his fingers she placed it on the table next to her drink. “Reed…I know you weren’t expecting any of this, but I wanted to thank you for your help. I don’t think we could have gotten as far as we have if it hadn’t been for you.”
    “I’m not sure Landon would agree.”
    “Landon means well.” She shrugged and lifted her cocktail to take a sip. “He’s worried you’ll get hurt…again.”
    “And you’re not?” His lips twitched as he slid his fingers through hers.
    “Of course I am.” She squeezed his hand. “I care about you, Reed, but you have to know that this”—she lifted his hand—“this won’t go anywhere.”
    “Yet you haven’t pulled free.”
    She leaned across the seat, and her hot breath mingled with his. “I’m enjoying it while I can.”
    He cupped her head and pressed his lips to hers, stealing her breath and her words. This wasn’t a fling, not to him, not by a long shot. He held her while he savored her, tasted her. She tasted like a delicious cinnamon roll, telling him the contents of her drink were Fireball and cream soda as she melted into his touch. Every fiber in his body was strung tight with need. The plane jolted, breaking their connection as they heard Henry’s voice come over the speaker.
    “Mr. Love, there appears to be a storm hovering over the Island. We’re being grounded on the mainland until it blows through.”
    Reed raised the shade covering the window as Avery moved back into her seat, pulling the seatbelt tight. Rain pelted against the glass, and the jet dipped, causing Reed’s stomach to flip. Not good. He glanced at his watch. Four thirty. They wouldn’t make it in time to get into the safety deposit box.
    “Looks like you’ll be enjoying our time a bit longer than expected.” He glanced at her, hopeful that his next words didn’t cause her to freak. “The drive is in my safety deposit box, and we won’t be able to get it until Monday.”
    “Please remain seated and buckled in as we make our approach,” Henry called over the speaker again. “We’re flying in the outer bands of the storm, and this may be a bit bumpy.”
    Bumpy was an understatement , Reed thought as he held his stomach while standing in the cabin waiting to disembark. The muscles in his fingers were stiff from holding the armrest so tightly, which pulled the stitches in his shoulder. His stomach churned as he stood on shaking legs. Avery was still laughing and wiping the tears from her eyes as the engine died and Henry stepped out of the