

## THE WEB CLEANSER

### FRANNY ARMSTRONG

Copyright © 2016 Franny Armstrong

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 9781370444991

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.
DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my favorite mother-in-law, Mary. Thank you for your support and love.

### CONTENTS

Dedication

Chapter 1 \- New Partner In Town

Chapter 2 \- How To Lose A Rookie In A Day

Chapter 3 -There Is No 'I' in Team

Chapter 4 -When Fire Meets Ice

Chapter 5 -Live Bait

Chapter 6 -Dirty Water

Chapter 7 -Lost And Alone

Chapter 8 -Desperate Measures

Chapter 9 -How To Hide A Dove

Chapter 10 -Deprogramming On Ice

Chapter 11 -Cold As Ice

Chapter 12 -Acclimatizing

Chapter 13 -Ultimatum

Chapter 14 -Hard Partings

Chapter 15 -Seeking Mr. Clean

Chapter 16 -Tired Of Being Captive

Chapter 17 -Decisions, Decisions
Chapter 1

Smelling of Old Spice and whiskey, with the strong underlying scent of body odor, a worn-out old man shoved past Kane, who stood at the entrance to the precinct, studying the upheaval before him. A tall muscular cop gripped the man by the arm as he steered him toward the booking desk. Without bothering to give the rude drunk more than a glance, Kane turned his attention back to the other people in the large room.

"Come on honey, let me have a smoke. You're gonna take forever on that paperwork. Can't you tip the scale a little...for me?" A heavily made-up woman attempted to sweet-talk the officer beside her. Her hands were cuffed behind her.

"Shut up, Sylvia, you know the drill. I'm not breaking as much as a nail for you. Why don't you find a nice job, and get off the streets?" he muttered loudly. He kept his head down as he wrote on the paper that lay on the desk before him.

When she squirmed, her black leather-clad butt squeaked on the creaky chair. A slow smile spread across her face when she noticed Kane, and she gave him a come-hither gaze, shifting her chest to set her ample bosom jiggling in invitation.

Without pause, he turned his gaze toward the chief's office, where the man held a heated discussion with a woman. The tall, overweight cop stood nose-to-nose with a shapely lady cop. She placed her hands on her hips, while she yelled up at him. Taller than average, his hair as gray as steel, he gripped a cane in his right hand, leaning heavily on it as he held his ground with the woman.

"I'm not giving in. You've been through more partners than anyone in the force. I've had it up to here with you. There'll be no more talking me into giving you another chance, Sanders. This is your last go."

"But Chief, it's not my fault McLeod sat in a puddle of chocolate pudding. I didn't even realize I'd spilled it. Besides, he's the one who asked for a transfer."

"I'm sure you had no part in it." His words were laced with sarcasm.

"Aww, Chief, you know I can't stand working with those snot-nosed, fly-by-night rookies you keep giving me. I have to teach them how to sign their names on the freakin' tickets. How can I expect any backup from such inept cops? They're a waste of government money, and you know it!" she snarled, edging her nose that much closer to his.

Instead of backing away, the chief leaned over more. "Sanders, I'm not going to spend my afternoon arguing with you. You'll work with your new partner, and that's final! Now get the hell out of my sight before I lose my temper, and write you up for insubordination! You don't see anyone else here arguing with me, do you?"

"Ha! As if anyone here had half the balls that I do!" Turning her head quickly, she scanned the room. Every person, cop and criminal alike, who dared to glance at her quickly found something else to stare at. Kane didn't avoid her glacial glare. Her eyes narrowed in warning until the chief turned and walked away, drawing her attention. She clenched her fists, and raced after the man. Kane could hear them yelling all the way down the hall.

Letting out a sigh, he slowly made his way through the mob of people, and followed the quarreling characters.

***

Ryland Sanders followed her boss into his office, uninvited.

"What are you doing here, Sanders? The discussion is closed." Chief Irving groaned, putting his hand over his eyes.

"Come on, Chief, gimme a break here, will ya?" she pleaded in a desperate tone. "I'm ready to beg. Let me go solo on the Web Cleanser case, and I'll never give you another day's trouble. Honest!"

The chief cautiously lowered his large body into his chair as he rolled it toward his desk. He picked up a file folder, and spent a moment searching for something. When he finally met her glare, he asked, "You still here?"

"Chief, I..."

He heaved a sigh. "Sit down, Sanders. You're giving me a headache."

Dropping herself into a chair with little grace, she sat back in a slouch. She knew she wouldn't win the battle, and it didn't sit well with her.

He pointed his finger to the contents of the file folder, and began reading from it. "Number one, charged with police brutality after a culprit spat on you."

"But that was—."

"Number two, disobeyed direct orders, and raided a bar without a warrant which..."

"But they had illegal arms and I—."

"...jeopardized the arrest to the point the alleged criminals walked without one charge against them. The 'arms' you somehow 'found' there were either removed, or never existed by the time we got the warrant. They walked away scot-free!" He slammed his hand on the desk, the noise loud enough to make most people jump, but Ry didn't so much as blink.

"Oh, come on... You know they're guilty as sin. I just—"

"You just earned a restraining order from the two waiters you beat up."

"Chief, they weren't waiters. They were bodyguards for a crook. I took them down fair and square, and..."

"Sanders! Shut the hell up for a minute!"

When she finally closed her mouth with a snap, and crossed her arms over her chest to listen to him, he continued, "It's my turn to talk."

After taking a deep breath, he closed the folder and shook it at her. "There are dozens of complaints by citizens and criminals alike about you. You're undisciplined, rude, a bully, sloppy in your paperwork, and a number of other things I can't even think of right now. It's going to stop, and it's going to stop as of today. You get me, Sanders?"

Simmering with anger, Ry bit her tongue, and nodded. When she opened her mouth to begin yelling at him again, a firm knock on the door stopped her.

Pointing his finger at her, his eyes narrowed as he snapped, "Not a word out of you. Not one!" Her lips tightened as she tried to contain herself.

"Come in!" the chief shouted, giving her a stern glare.

The door opened, admitting the man Ry couldn't stare down in the main room. He walked in, and quietly closed the door behind him. He stood well over six foot tall and, carrying a winter parka with native designs of wolves on it, he stood there, waiting for permission to speak.

Ry stared at his attire, and smirked. When she noticed his moccasin-clad feet, she snorted. His gorgeous features and incredibly fit body had drawn the eyes of every woman in the main room, but with her past experiences in mind, she steered clear of handsome men. The package on the inside seldom shone as pretty as the outside.

The chief made to stand, but Kane walked over to shake his hand. Rolling her eyes at the courtesy, she shifted in her chair, dying to speak.

"Welcome to Toronto, Nanuq. You made good time."

Nanook? The unusual name echoed in her mind. "Thank you, sir. The skies remained clear all the way. I'm ready to get to work."

"Not today, you won't. You take the night, and get settled in your apartment. This is your new partner, Detective Sanders."

"What?" Ry shouted, jumping to her feet. Her fiery temper revved up at the chief's words.

"You are not hooking me up with Nanook of the North here! No freakin' way!"

When the chief closed his eyes, she knew that he fought his own rising anger. He counted to ten aloud, shot a glance at her, and then continued to twenty before he spoke. Ry pushed past the newcomer and put her hands flat on the boss's desk. "Fire me. Throw me in the brig! Shoot me if you have to, but don't make me babysit another stinkin' rookie. This guy's from the ice age!"

Through gritted teeth, the chief stood up, and spoke slowly, emphasizing every word. "You will show your new partner around the building. Help him get settled then stay the hell out of my sight for the rest of the day. Do you understand me, or do you want to end up as a pencil-pusher?" Reminded of her potential future as a desk detective, never able to leave the building again, Ry waited nearly a full minute before she finally relaxed and stood back. When her boss sat back in his chair and stared at her, she plastered a fake smile on her face and turned to face her newest partner.

In a musical voice, she said sweetly, "Why don't you come with me, Detective, and I'll see you get settled?" Turning her back on him, she opened the door and walked out of the office, leaving it open behind her.

***

Shaking his head, the chief said, "Good luck, Nanuq. You're going to need it."

With only a twitch of his lips to acknowledge his comment, Kane nodded, and left the room, following the feisty woman.

The chief worried about Ry Sanders more than any other cop under his rule. She took too many chances, putting herself in danger without a thought. She played hardball, often to the point where she risked her life unnecessarily.

Ry stormed out of the office, her shoulders tighter than a bow string. Anger with her seldom lasted, as he had to admit that he admired her. If anyone could get the job done, it was her. Releasing a heavy sigh, he refocused his attention on the man he hoped would protect her from herself.

When the door closed quietly behind Nanuq, the chief reached into his desk drawer, and pulled out a small bottle of whiskey, taking a long swallow. Gasping at the fire in his throat, he replaced the lid, and sat back.

"Thank God I'm not married to her. She's the only woman I know who can drive me to drink."

***

Fuming as she waited in the hall for her new partner, Ry tried to figure out a way of getting rid of him without the boss knowing she'd done the deed. She watched her fellow cops as they booked people and wrote out reports. She'd once coerced Stevenson, a powerful body builder, to help her by teaching a rookie that he couldn't work in law enforcement due to his weak body. Once Stevenson lifted the heavily weighted bar off the man's chest, the candidate glared at her before he ran out of the gym. Ry had laughed for a week over it.

She figured that sabotaging Nanuq's belongings probably wouldn't work, since he seemed like a calm and quiet man. He wouldn't be the type to complain enough to be transferred. Ry wondered if she should give his car a special treatment. She didn't hear him come up behind her. When he spoke, she nearly jumped out of her skin in surprise.

"Detective? I'm ready for the tour," he said quietly in her ear.

The fact that he'd been able to get so close without her knowing shocked her, but she didn't let him see it. Though she tried to paste a smile on her face, she didn't succeed as she turned to face him.

"So... Nanuq, how long do you plan on staying here?" she asked sweetly.

"Call me Kane, and I'll be here for as long as it takes," he answered. His focus returned to the room full of people. He seemed riveted on someone.

Turning to follow his gaze, she studied the group, but didn't see anything unusual.

"The biker still has a weapon on him. Watch his eyes," he murmured in her ear.

The man sat beside O'Roark, one hand cuffed to the chair. O'Roark pounded on the keyboard, his eyes glued to the computer. The biker bent over to scratch his leg, and pulled out a small knife. Before he could sit up again, Kane was holding his hand in a strong grip, causing him to scream and drop the weapon.

O'Roark and every other cop in the building turned to stare at Kane in amazement. He seemed to have the ability to be invisible in a room full of people until he made his presence known. Everyone could see him now. O'Roark jumped up and shook his hand.

"Thank you. I guess I missed that one. I'm Rory O'Roark, Detective O'Roark. I saw you come out of the chief's office. I guess that means you're the new partner. Sorry, pal. You deserve better," he said, grinning.

Kane shook his hand, and then bent to pick up the knife with a hanky.

"Kane. Call me Kane."

Ry watched the sudden camaraderie and blew out a deep breath of frustration. It seemed she'd have a big job on her hands now, making him leave.

"Watch your mouth, O'Roark, I heard that!" Ry snarled.

He cringed, and gave Kane a weak grin. "I'm sorry, pal. If you ever need to talk... I'm your man."

"Thank you. I appreciate that." Turning his gaze on Ry, he murmured, "I'm sure we'll talk."

Her eyes narrowing, she gritted her teeth. "Let's continue your tour, Detective," she said, with a low purr in her throat. She knew only her eyes gave away her simmering anger.

After catching another wary glance from O'Roark, she walked away, expecting Kane to follow.

Without looking back, Ry fought the sudden flip of her stomach as she opened the door to their small office. The precinct had recently been renovated, leaving Ry one of the few detectives who didn't have to share her own office.

The only reason the chief kept giving her more chances didn't have anything to do with her people skills, but the fact that she was one of the best cops on the force. She simply never gave up, and tackled each challenge with courage. Ry always went the extra mile.

***

After sitting down in a chair across from Sanders, Kane watched her boot up her computer and sort through the files on her desk. She kept herself busy for a few moments, doing her best to ignore him. Rather than be offended, Kane took the time to study her.

Ry kept her straight chestnut hair pulled back into a tight bun at the base of her neck. It shone in the lights, showing off a number of autumn colors, but it didn't appear she'd had streaks done. Her sharp cheekbones and her dimpled chin rounded out her heart-shaped face. She seemed to be all business, but Kane could see the tension in her eyes as she tried to avoid staring at him.

Dark chocolate brown irises gave her a mysterious, secretive gaze. A people watcher, Kane studied expressions, eyes, and the way they moved. In her, he saw signs of defensiveness. She kept everybody, and everything that threatened her, as far away as possible.

As a detective, she didn't wear a uniform. The form-fitting black pants gave the impression of a narrow waist, while the tucked-in t-shirt clung to her shapely body perfectly. The leather holster and gun strapped tightly around her chest accentuated her breasts. He noticed that she hunched her shoulders forward slightly in an attempt to conceal them. Since she came up to his shoulder in height, he figured she stood approximately five feet, nine inches tall.

Acting as though she noticed him for the first time, she turned to face him, her eyes widening slightly. He could still see the anger burning in them, and waited patiently for her to vent. She surprised him when she spoke to him with the patience of a kindergarten teacher talking to children. The sarcasm only showed in her simmering gaze.

"The box in front of you is called a computer. I doubt you have them at the North Pole, but here we use them to document our cases. Perhaps you'd prefer to use the drawing board. We have some pretty colored markers there. Do you have any questions, Nanuq?"

Studying her in silence for a long moment, he finally nodded. "First of all, are you this rude to everyone you meet, or did you save it up for me? Send a detailed list of every scrap of about the case to my inbox. I trust my email account is already set up?"

She seemed surprised when he remained calm and casual about her behavior. When her lips curved upwards, he knew her grin was a fake.

"I already sent you the information before you came in here," she said with a purr, turning back to her computer.

Logging onto his computer, he opened his email account, and saw that she'd told the truth. Opening one file after the other, he read them quickly until he came to the final message. Oh, are you still here, Detective? Her sour attitude would have been enough to send anyone into a rage, but he simply emailed her back.

Enough fooling around, Detective. Let's get some work done.

Pushing the send button, he waited a moment until he saw she'd opened the email. When her gaze flew over to meet his, she appeared to be ready for a battle. She seemed disappointed when he looked away and became engrossed in his work.

The battle lines had been drawn.
Chapter 2

Laughing in delight, Ali Bradshaw read the response to her latest email. Her new friend in Colombia, Brazil, wanted to know if she enjoyed horror movies. How would you like to hear the sound of someone slowly unlocking a creaking door and opening it to reveal the villain?

Ali responded. Those are the best parts of the movies. That scares me to death.

Her email companion said, Why don't you go take a long hot bath by candlelight? I want to imagine you with your body soaking in the water, suds bubbling up around you as you think of me, Alice Bradshaw. I'll soon be there with you to cleanse your body head to toe.

Okay. I'll do it now. She sighed as she put the computer on standby, trembling with excitement as she imagined him coming to her.

Ali headed to the bathroom, dreaming about her faceless boyfriend, who seemed interested in the same things she loved. She'd told him more about herself than she'd told anyone else before. He offered a sense of romance she'd never known from her husband or any other man. Ali knew she couldn't get into trouble with her spouse, who could care less about leaving her behind for his mistress, his job, and any other reason he could find to stay away from her. She filled her heart, thinking she was safe in her private world. He acted like a personal psychiatrist, and she knew she could tell him anything.

Bending over the tub, she put the plug in and started the water, humming as she opened a bottle of lavender bubble bath and poured a generous amount into the churning flow. While the tub slowly filled, she set about lighting the many candles she'd placed around the tub while she thought about her conversation with him.

Imagining Lance Aubrey sneaking into her house and moving toward the bathroom, she began to strip her satin robe off. When he stood there before her, watching as she undressed, she envisioned that she'd be totally unaware of his eyes upon her.

After turning on the radio to a sultry, sexy song, she ran her fingers over her breasts, sliding them slowly down to her navel. She closed her eyes, tilting her head back slightly when she found her mound. After moaning with want of him, she slipped the spaghetti straps of her negligee off her shoulders one at a time and swayed to the music. The scent of lavender stirred her senses, filling her with the ache of desire. Even knowing he stalked her, even if only in her imagination, she wanted him to make love to her.

Once she'd let go of the gown, she stood in front of the mirror, naked. A small smile of satisfaction curled her lips. She arched her foot, dipping it into the water to test the temperature. Finding it perfect, she climbed in, thinking of the erection he would have if he'd been there.

After turning off the water, she sank down into the suds, sighing in relief. The candles flickered as though a breeze wafted through the small room. She frowned for a moment, wondering where the draft came from. Soon thoughts of her online lover began to weave through her mind, and she reached down a hand to touch herself.

Closing her eyes, Ali imagined the door slowly opening, and her new love sneaking into the bathroom to find her languishing in the sweet-smelling bath. After taking a deep breath, she sank a little lower into the water. The music soothed her, lulled her, and prevented her from hearing him enter. She'd already prepared herself for him. She yearned to have him ravish her, drag her into the bedroom, and...no, he would strip slowly, and climb into the tub with her. She'd melt when he picked her up in his strong arms. The thought of him taking her, seizing her lips in a passionate kiss, made her groan with an unclaimed release.

When she shivered from a draft, she glanced around her and saw the candles flicker once again, but this time they nearly blew out. Her brows drew together, and she sat up quickly, turning to face the door. She almost screamed before she realized her dream had become reality. There he stood, grinning at her, dressed all in black, his body muscular and sexy. He wore a balaclava, leaving only his eyes and mouth showing. When she gasped, he shook his head.

"You are supposed to play the game, my sweet. I am here to ravish you, and you need to be cleansed. Prepare for the end of your filthy ways."

His smile seemed loving and caring. She placed her hand to her breast and protested. "No! You have to leave. I... I thought you lived in Colombia."

She didn't protest as he kneeled down beside the tub and caressed her cheek with tender fingers.

"You shall be ravished, sweet harlot. Your sins have been as deep as bath water. And now... I cleanse thee..."

***

Irritated beyond measure before the clock struck 7:00 a.m., Ry was prepared to battle anyone or anything by the time she entered the precinct. First the coffee machine broke, and then she'd turned on the shower to find the water coming out the color of rust. After getting dressed, she found a stain on her last clean t-shirt. Digging through her good clothes, she ended up with one of her favorite tops, a bright-teal silk shirt with a low V-neck.

She tried to convince herself that she didn't want to appear pretty for Nanook, yet something stirred an awakened interest in him. Since that first minute when their eyes met, she found herself thinking about him...a lot. Frankly, it pissed her off. She wanted nothing to do with him, but the butterflies in her stomach made a liar of her.

When she finally made it to her car, she found she had a flat tire. Growling, she lifted the spare tire out of the trunk and dumped it beside the car.

Since she was a teenager, she'd always taken care of the car by herself, which included changing a tire in mid-winter's sub-zero temperatures, during a snowstorm like today.

The slush that churned up from the salt she'd put down to melt the ice soaked the bottom of her pants. When a bolt became particularly difficult to remove, the tire iron slipped off, and she flew backward, landing flat on her butt in a snow bank.

"Do you need a hand?"

Ry sat there in the snow, embarrassed that her neighbor caught her fumble. She fought the urge to snap at the man, and simply said, "No thank you. I've got it."

"Okay, but I'll be here if you change your mind." Wearing a frown on his face, he stood there a moment, then shrugged and went back to shoveling the snow that had piled up between the two cars on the shared driveway. Once he'd moved on, she stood and brushed the snow off her butt, then went back to working the stubborn bolt until it loosened.

The second she entered the building, the comments started from her peers.

"Hey, look who finally decided to show up."

"Must be laundry day. She's all spiffed up."

"Nah, McMasters, she's dolled up for her new partner."

A round of laughter was the last straw. Instead of ignoring them the way she usually did, she rounded on them.

Her index finger lifted up as her eyes narrowed. "Don't you all have jobs to do?" she snarled.

Every cop in the room began avoiding her glare. She kept her stare sweeping the room and not one person dared meet her eyes, so she turned on her heel and made her way to her office. The slamming of her door, instead of intimidating the group, only served to release more laughter.

She ground her teeth as she leaned against the door with her eyes closed, counting to a decent number. She took in a few deep breaths before continuing her morning, the fresh scent of soap and wintergreen filled her senses.

"Good morning, partner," Kane said quietly.

Her eyes flew open. She'd nearly forgotten the main reason she'd been in a bad mood to start with: Nanook of the North.

"Oh, it's you. I thought you'd be back in a snowdrift by now." She chose to ignore the image of her doing that very thing not half an hour prior to reaching the precinct.

Slamming her things down on her desk, she plopped down in the chair and fired up her computer. When a moment later she got a nasty error message saying she couldn't load Windows, she dropped her face into her hands and groaned.

"May I?" Kane asked from over her shoulder.

"May you what?" she asked, startled.

"This is where you vacate the chair, and I fix your computer. Now get up!" he murmured close to her ear.

The air in the room suddenly seemed too hot. His warm breath on her neck sent shivers up her spine.

"That does it!" she shouted. Shoving the chair back, she jumped up and pushed past him as she made her way to the door. As she left the room in a hurry, it banged hard behind her.

In the hall she saw the chief step out of his office, glance up at her, and heard him groan. He turned around and went back into the room. Though she knew he was preparing himself for her rant, she didn't care. The chief had barely closed the door and only hobbled a couple of steps toward his desk when she opened it and let it crash against the wall. "Don't you dare try to hide from me, mister!"

"Now what?" he asked quietly, seating himself.

"That...that...he...he's..." she stuttered, pointing back toward her office.

"He's what? Making a pass at you? Hitting you? Drinking? Trashing the building? What?" he asked patiently.

"He's...fixing my damned computer!" she cried. Suddenly the ridiculousness of her statement registered in her mind, and she slapped her hand over her eyes.

"Let me get this straight, Detective. Are you saying your partner is fixing your computer? Tell me, if you will, what the problem is?" The chief stared at her with a strange look in his eyes as he waited for her to answer.

She started by shaking her finger at him while her mouth opened and closed like a fish as she struggled to find the right words. Finally, she threw up her hands in defeat and left him, once again slamming the door behind her.

Ry hid in the ladies' room for ten minutes until she got a hold of herself. Sitting on a seat in the stall, she focused on breathing. With the stall door locked, she found enough privacy to pull herself together.

The main door opened and two women entered, laughing so hard they could barely speak. When one of them could suck enough air into her lungs to talk, she said, "Did you see her this morning? Manuel must have made a fortune off that bet. Imagine betting she would be the first one to give up! Nanuq didn't react the way she expected when she glared at him. I can't believe how calm and together he is. No one could believe she'd give up first after she got rid of all her other partners! I lost twenty bucks, but it was worth it. She's not as tough as she acts."

The two women began cackling until the stall door slammed against the wall and the object of their attention came barreling out with spit and fury in her veins. When Ry stood there glaring at them for a moment, they turned tail and ran, one of them banging into the door before she could open it.

Normally, Ry wouldn't give a care in the world about people talking behind her back, but for some reason the gossip cut her deeply. Glancing at herself in the mirror, she saw a bewildered, angry woman who had no friends, no family, and no one to talk to. For the first time since her teens, tears pricked her eyes. Shocked, she watched in the mirror as they glistened for a moment. Anger finally took over, as it usually did when she became vulnerable. Lifting her chin and throwing her shoulders back, she swiped at the offending tears, finally able to achieve the control she'd been missing all morning.

Nobody—and she meant nobody—could hurt her! Not ever! She gave her reflection a quick nod, squared her shoulders even more, and opened the door with a bang, making her way back to her office at normal speed. This time though, she took a moment to give the cops in the main room her best Go ahead, I dare ya expression. Not a soul would raise eyes to meet hers. With a sniff of disdain, she opened her office door and entered her haven...at least, it had been a haven until her current roommate showed up.

Ignoring Kane, she sat back down, noticing that her computer mouse wasn't working. About to snarl at him, she found that he'd set a hot cup of coffee down in front of her. How could she get mad at a guy when he'd given her the only saving grace of the whole morning? Deciding it best to keep her mouth shut, she opened up a few file folders, doing her best to ignore the aromatic brew. It took all of a minute before she gave in and grabbed the cup. When it sloshed on her pants, she squeezed her eyes shut, and waited for the pain to go away.

Kane took the cup out of her hand, and used his clean hanky to dab at the large stain on her thigh. Releasing a loud whoop, she nearly came out of her chair at his touch but for his hand on her shoulder holding her down.

"Sit still," he said in a low murmur, continuing his ministrations.

In a million years, she wouldn't ever admit to anyone, let alone herself, that his touch made her belly flutter with a swarm of butterflies. Keeping her eyes on her computer screen, she did her best to appear unaffected. For a few seconds, he tapped the keys on her keyboard, then rebooted the computer. When the proper window came up and the computer worked fine, he said, "There," then returned to his desk. Angry that she'd felt an interest in him, she said, "I'm not going to thank you...for anything."

He smirked, saying clearly, "I don't expect you to."

Stunned, she stared at him for a long moment. It then occurred to her it wasn't his fault that her whole morning had gone bust. She sighed then gave him credit for being nice to her when she'd been so nasty to him. She realized that he hadn't done a thing to deserve her ire, except by being the schmuck who'd been chosen to be her partner. After all, he hadn't picked the job himself, or had he?

She let out a heavy sigh then pushed back her chair. After picking up her cup, she took a large gulp of the still-warm drink.

"Listen, ice man..." Stopping herself, she tried again. "Listen, Nanuq, I think we should start this day over again. I admit I'm not the easiest person to get along with by a long shot, but since we have to work together, why don't I try and keep my smart mouth shut, and you can stop being so damned nice to me?" Keeping her eyes on the ceiling, she waited in silence for him to respond.

It took long enough that she shifted her gaze to him. He'd sat back to study her in the annoying way he did, similar to a cat eyeing a mouse.

After he finally nodded, he refocused on his computer without uttering a word. He'd let her off the hook again. She shook her head, then took another large swig of coffee and turned back to her own computer, enjoying a strange sense of satisfaction. For a moment, she thought he'd be a pretty good partner if he kept to himself and let her do the talking, but then she shrugged. After having been paired with a series of partners who wouldn't follow her lead, she had sworn to go solo, but the chief refused to let her.

Her gaze suddenly swung over to view her screen.

"Holy moly!" she cried. "Did you get this email about our first case of the day? The body of a female, approximately thirty-five years old, was discovered in a burning apartment by firefighters. She'd been drowned in the bathtub then left submerged. The killer soaked the hallway with kerosene and lit it on fire. The body hadn't burned since someone noticed the fire fairly quickly."

Glancing at Kane, she noted his closed expression, and a slight tic flickering along his jaw line. He'd seen the email all right.

"What do you make of it? It's the fourth murder in the city in the past two months, and all evidence points to the serial killer whom we've dubbed the Web Cleanser. Anything to add?" He was keeping something from her; she could sense it.

Without taking his eyes from the computer screen, Kane said, "The murders started happening in Inuit two years ago. I've been tracking the perpetrator ever since."

"You might be a man of few words, ice...Nanuq, but I need more. Send me what you know about them."

Expecting he'd obey without protest, she returned to the email. Ten minutes later she glanced back at him.

"Well?"

His hard gaze met hers. "No."

"What do you mean, no?" Most of the new cops who'd become her partners had obeyed her orders over the past five years. It surprised her that Kane didn't. He had a strong backbone and quietly refused to let her order him around.

"I said no. What more do you want me to say to you? The case is mine. It has been for the past two years." As his muscles tensed, she noted the flush of anger in his cheeks. Then she understood.

"The chief brought you here, didn't he? He asked you to transfer here."

When he nodded, his gaze turning glacial, she watched his reactions and then laughed. As she studied him for an endless moment, she realized that Kane was more involved in finding the Web Cleanser than he let on.

"You aren't here to solve a case, Nanuq. You're here for a vendetta. You knew the woman he murdered up in Inuit, didn't you?"

Once again, he appeared surprised by her perception and met her stare. She didn't back down, even when he clenched his jaw, and he nodded again. The tic in his cheek told her he'd come to the end of his tether and his temper was stirring.

Sitting back in her chair, she lifted her feet one at a time and placed them on the desk, a smug grin on her face.

"So, we have two choices here, Nanuq. You can either 'fess up and provide me with the information I want, or I go to the chief, and tell him why you're really here. He has no idea that the vics in your ice palace were related to you, does he?" Thinking she'd backed him into a corner, she waited.

He lifted his gaze to the ceiling for the space of a few heartbeats then gave her a tilted grin. His white teeth flashed bright, making her heart skip a beat. Her own smile slipped a little.

"How about we do it one of my two ways, partner? Either you keep your mouth shut and work with me, or I let you go talk to the chief about it. I somehow think he'd believe me over someone who makes her day's wages by plotting to get rid of her partners."

Ry's mouth dropped open. "Why, you miserable..."

Her boots hit the ground, and she leaped to her feet as the door opened, admitting the chief.

"Everything going smoothly in here?" he asked hesitantly.

Nanuq, his eyes still on Ry, tilted his head, and waited for her to answer.

Her face flushed with heat as she fought to restrain herself from hitting his smug face, but finally she turned to her boss, and gave him her best fake grin. "Just fine! Everything is perfect in here. Did you need something, Chief?"

Her unexpected polite attitude caused him to stare at her strangely. She'd caught him off guard.

"No, that's good," the chief said, glancing from one cop to the other and back again. "Great. I'll leave you to it then." Closing the door quietly behind him, he left them alone.

Ry didn't wait more than a few seconds before she was standing on the other side of the desk, swinging Kane's chair around to face her. A heated flush burned her cheeks as she spoke slowly, "Give it up, buster! I want to know what you're planning!"

He smelled of breath mints, fresh and clean. Her belly filled with butterflies, but she wouldn't back down.

Chuckling, Kane shook his head.

"You tell me what's going on or I'll... I'll..." Her yell faded as he interrupted her.

"You'll what? Hit me? Beat the tar out of me until I tell you? Not likely." He chuckled again as she shoved his chest and stood up, staring at him in rage when he didn't budge an inch. The tingles in her hands startled her. The sensation reminded her of being shocked by static as her body began to betray her. She figured that other women would be attracted to him and hated that she fell along with them. Holding her breath, she fought the attraction, doing her best to hide the shivers up and down her spine at his nearness.

"I'll beat it out of you all right. It's you and me on the mats at the gym at five o'clock. I win, you tell me everything, and I mean everything! You win and..."

"And you have to do everything I tell you to do in regards to the case. Deal?" he asked.

She spit on her palm, and held her hand out to him. He stared up at her for a moment then gave her a firm handshake.

When the sound of shouting came from the hallway, she swore and opened the door, only to find a young detective listening at the doorway. It wasn't the first time her coworkers had placed bets on her during a bout on the mats.

"You'd better be betting on me to win, you losers!" she yelled, slamming the door in their faces.

***

In the gym packed with cops that night, male and female alike, Ry walked past the watchful, silent group as she made her way to the changing room. She knew that each and every cop there would have bet against her if they thought she might have a chance in hell of losing. Knowing her track record, she figured she'd earned a fair portion of the betting. She changed into her track pants and t-shirt and stowed her gear in a locker, securing it tight against nosy people. She focused on the fight, in no mood to deal with anything but beating the tar out of Kane Nanuq.

Arriving at the mats a few minutes later, her anger built when she saw Kane getting tips from a few of her fellow cops. Traitors. Ignoring them all, she began stretching on the mats, doing her best not to stare at her opponent. He wore a tight black sleeveless tank top and black track pants. His arm muscles bulged. She licked her lip then caught it between her teeth. His narrow waist made his broad shoulders appear to be even wider. Imagining every muscle in his body honed to perfection, she found butterflies danced in her stomach once again.

Planning her strategy, she thought he'd go down hardest if she tried her leg sweep maneuver. Or perhaps he'd fall for the old move-slightly-past-him-then-back-kick-his-knee move. Just as she pictured the next possible tactic, he sat down beside her and began stretching.

"Finished learning all my moves from those traitors?"

Grinning, he said, "I've learned over the years to listen to everybody, and then do my own thing."

The flash of his incredibly white teeth caused a shudder of excitement to trickle up her spine. "Humph..."

"You don't have to do this, you know? We can call it a draw and work together on the cases." Kane was giving her an out. Instead of making her relieved, it increased her fury.

"Bite me!" she snarled.

"Nope. Biting is not allowed. I don't want to hurt you."

Laughter erupted from her as she threw her head back.

"You don't want to hurt me? Get ready to be hurt, snowman!"

"Have it your way, but remember that I'll give if you'll give."

"Chicken." Ry struggled to keep from sneering.

"Well, I'm all warmed up. Are you ready?" he asked, leaping to his feet.

She nearly gasped as she watched his fluid muscles ripple. On his stomach they stood out in tight definition against the tight material. When he reached down to help her up, she shook her head in disgust.

"On the mat I'm neither male nor female, I'm a fighter. That includes when I'm at work. You'd do well to remember that, ice cube." In one smooth move, she rose to her feet and faced him.

The crowd began to grow as everyone moved closer to watch. Some of the men started yelling out, but her glare stopped them quickly enough. In silence they watched as she bowed to Kane, then stepped back to wait for the referee's signal.

Kane let her make the first move after they circled each other a few times. Ry shifted into fight mode as she kept her focus on his body so she'd sense his every move. With her experience in martial arts, she knew that she had speed on her side. Her technique was flawless, so she knew it wouldn't be strength that won the game. She had to outsmart him.

A black belt in martial arts, she'd studied several different methods. She preferred the Jiu Jitsu style over the others, but never forgot the techniques of any of them.

She noted that Kane left his right side open enough for a throw, so she moved into place and waited for her chance. Kane didn't give off any signals, which surprised and annoyed her. Taking a chance, she moved in for a throw. He'd been patient, and brought her to him. She figured she'd give him his just desserts.

When her hip aligned with his, she slipped in close for her move, but he danced away before she could implement it. Her eyes narrowed as she watched his. They were the only two people in the room as far as she was concerned. Kane appeared to be toying with her. Nothing angered her more than a man patronizing her. Instead of snapping at him verbally, she countered with a low leg-sweep, not quite meeting her target. It should have taken him down to the mats, but he jumped out of range.

Continuing the long sweep, she spun around and leaped to her feet. With her hands facing up, open palms toward him as she regained her balance, she waited for him to make a move.

A hush came over the room, making the tension rise even higher. As she watched Kane's eyes, she sensed him before he came toward her and sidestepped a roundhouse kick, his foot narrowly missing her shoulder. She figured that with his flexibility, he could have knocked someone out who stood a foot taller than she. She could only imagine the speed.

"We can stop now, Ry," he murmured.

"Shut up and fight," she snarled, retaining her focus.

She made her next move quickly, taking him down with her to the mats. Before she could pin him, he leaped up again, and circled.

"Not bad," he murmured, loud enough for only her to hear.

Without spending energy acknowledging his compliment, she noticed he favored his right leg slightly. His eyes remained glued to hers now, a touch of admiration in them, which of course stirred her ire and made her careless. She moved in at the same time as he did, but he took her down this time. Before he could stop her, she escaped and rolled away, kicking at his right leg. When he sucked in a breath, she knew she'd scored. He had a weakness, and she'd found it. She enjoyed the sweet sensation of success as she regained her feet, preparing for the next move.

Kane didn't appear to have any emotions now. He moved in tune with her. They were the only two people in the world, and she knew he'd take his turn to make a move. Ry pretended to trip slightly, giving him an opening, but he didn't fall for it. Once she'd righted herself, he charged in and swept past her, slapping her ass as he moved by.

Enraged, Ry's cheeks flushed with heat and bitterness filled her senses. The crowd finally made itself known by cheering for her opponent. Alone in a sea of people, her own vulnerability caused her to stumble. Too busy fighting it, she wasn't prepared for Kane as he took her down. She hit the mats hard, but he'd cushioned her body with his arms, keeping her from getting hurt. Her rage built higher, every muscle in her body tightening as she fought to get free. She took no quarter from any man.

Her fluid movements almost allowed her to break free, but she slipped out of his grip only to find he'd pinned her face down on the mat. She used her legs and arms to attempt to free herself, but Kane's solid weight made it impossible for her to lift her hips and unseat him. Once she'd stopped moving, he reached out and grabbed her wrist, pinning her arm in a move cops used on difficult criminals when they apprehended them.

With the distasteful bite of loss coming, she struggled harder, using her feet to twist his ankle. Other than making him grunt, he didn't seem to notice. He held her arm behind her now, then leaned in close to her ear and murmured, "Give up now, Ry."

"Don't call me that! It's Detective to you!" she said, growling low in her throat. Not ready to give up yet, she kept trying different moves, but found her arm inescapably pinned. Bitterness burned her throat as she realized he'd beaten her, yet still she couldn't let her stubborn pride go.

Twisting her arm slightly more, Kane whispered, "Let it go, Detective. Just let it go. There's nothing else you can do."

As she growled with frustration, she struggled all the harder until the pain in her arm increased to the breaking point. All she needed to do would be to tap the mat twice, admit defeat, and he'd release her, but she knew the others watched, and they'd relish her loss more than she'd have cared about a win.

Once more Kane applied pressure. "Ry! For heaven's sake, give it up!"

She suddenly found her pain threshold broken, and swore under her breath as she tapped out. Kane released her immediately, climbing smoothly to his feet. He reached down to help her up, but she ignored his hand and stood on her own, her chin high. Even though her arm burned with pain, she refused to let the others see her admit defeat.

Nodding at Kane, she said, "Congratulations, Detective. Good match." Avoiding eye contact with anyone, she turned and left the gym, heading for the showers. Sweat poured off her now, dripping into her eyes. Kane said nothing as she showed him her back. She noticed he'd barely sweated at all.

Once she stood in the bathroom stall, she gasped, pulling her arm close to her body. Tears of pain pricked her eyes, but she fought them back. She'd never let anyone see her failure. Hearing others come into the room, Ry flushed the toilet and breathed deeply to gain control of her uneven breathing. She heard the women talking about her.

What else is new?

"She was amazing. Imagine going against that guy. He's strong as a bull and faster than lightning. She sure held her own, I'd say. I wonder if she'd be interested in teaching me a few of her moves."

The voices faded off as they left the room. Ry stood there, amazed. They thought she'd held her own? They admired her, and wanted her to teach them? A whole new perspective opened up for Ry. Stunned, she opened the door and made her way to her locker. Suddenly the pain didn't matter. Elated, she relished the strange sense of honor. She'd never been admired by other women before.

Unable to prevent a slight grimace, she sucked in a deep breath as she gathered her things for the shower, and started stripping her sodden clothes off.
Chapter 3

Ry lay awake most of the night, thinking about what the women in the changing room had said, and imagined herself teaching martial arts self-defense to not only women, but to men, and children too. Children! It'd been a long time since she'd thought about having kids. Her job always came first, but at thirty-two she'd begun to sense her internal clock ticking. She'd never been the picket-fence type of person, but she wondered what it would be like to have a husband who would prove to be her equal. A man who'd not let her get her way all the time, but who'd be willing to give when necessary. He'd have to be a strong, quiet man like...Kane.

The name popped into her head before she could think about it. He definitely would be the type of man who'd not let her have her way whenever she pushed, but he also wouldn't bully her into accepting defeat. He'd try to reason with her. She wondered what the next day would bring, not only with the attitudes of her colleagues, but with... him.

In the wee hours of the morning her eyes finally closed, but she awoke instantly when her alarm went off. Remarkably refreshed, she sat up, wincing only slightly when her arm muscles protested. Heading for the shower, she thought about making an instant coffee, but grimaced. She'd wait until she reached work to have one. Kane had a knack for making good coffee.

Twenty minutes later, her boots crunched through the snow as she made her way to the car. In the darkness, the street lights remained lit up as she started the car. It would be dark well into her workday. Taking her time, she mulled over the serial killer case Kane was working on. She decided she'd honor their bet and help him. However, he'd better not be expecting her to follow his every order, or she'd take him to the mats again. A wide grin spread on her face as she imagined his unreadable face when she won the next time.

As she pulled into the parking lot at work, she sighed. She prepared herself to face the music from her fellow employees. They'd shout out catcalls and jokes about her losing against a better man. Chin up, shoulders back, she stepped through the front door, and braced herself. What happened surprised her more than any catcall would do.

O'Roark stepped up and grinned at her, then held out his hand.

"Awesome match last night, Sanders."

Stunned, she waited for the joke, but saw in his eyes a genuine pride in her. She took his large hand in hers and gave him a firm handshake, speechless. When she winced slightly, he let her hand go and wandered back toward his desk.

Before she could take two steps, McMasters came up to her.

"You were amazing last night," he said, then laughed. "I mean, at the fight, of course." Sporting a wry grin on his face, he shook her hand gently. About to get mad at him for treating her with kid gloves, she stopped herself and decided to let it go and mend fences. Nodding, she moved past him, then four lady cops stood before her. Ready to fight back when they ridiculed her, she stared in shock when Carla asked, "Will you offer classes on women's self-defense, Sanders? We could sure use the upper edge when taking down a perp."

"Ah, yeah, I might. Let me think about it," she said quietly.

Carla Hamilton smiled at her before going back to work.

When she reached her office door, the chief stopped her.

"Before you go in there, Sanders, I want to have a word with you," the chief said. He slowly walked up to her, leaning heavily on his cane. Meeting her boss's gaze, she waited for him to yell at her, but he didn't. Placing his big hand on her shoulder, he continued, "I enjoyed watching you on the mats last night."

"You saw it too?" she asked in amazement.

"Yes, and I have to say, I haven't seen a good fight like that in a long time. Keep up the good work." He turned, and hobbled his way back to his office, not leaning on his cane as heavily this time.

Cane... Kane! She laughed silently. For the first time, Ry didn't mind going to her office. She expected Kane to lord it over her, taunting her about him winning, and her losing. After taking a bracing breath, she entered her office. Kane worked intently on his computer. The room was neat and tidy for once. He'd carefully stacked all of the files on her desk. A hot cup of coffee waited by her keyboard.

Tilting her head to the side slightly, she asked, "Am I in the Twilight Zone?"

He shook his head. "Good morning, champ. How's the arm?"

She expected his comment to be sarcastic, was ready to snap back at him, but she saw no sign of teasing. If anything, he treated her in a positive manner.

"Um...good. It's good. Just a little strained."

"Sprained?"

"Relax, igloo-boy, I said strained, not sprained."

Relief flooding his features, he became focused on the computer as though to cover his slip in behavior.

Closing the door gently for once, she placed her bag on her desk and hung up her coat, wincing as she slipped it off her shoulder. Out of the corner of her eye she saw him start to get to his feet, but then stop and sit down again. He'd begun to get to know her. Biting back a grin, she walked to her chair, sat down, and picked up her coffee, taking a long sip before setting the cup back on the desk.

"Any word on the serial killer?" she asked, keeping her eyes on her screen.

"Ah, no, but I've been thinking about it, and you don't have to accept the terms of the fight... I—"

"You are not reneging on me, buster! You won fair and square, and you're going to let me help you with the case...get me?"

She could tell he hid a grin as he nodded, then focused on his work. Fighting back a smile, she turned on her computer, and tried to ignore him.

They worked in companionable silence for another hour before curiosity got the better of her.

"So...are you going to talk, or do I have to beat it out of you?" she asked quietly.

Startled, he glanced over at her.

"What?"

"If I'm to help you with the case, don't you think I should know something about it first?"

"Oh, sure. I placed the files on your desk."

Glancing at the neat stack, she said, "You're Mr. Clean too, aren't you?"

Smiling slightly, he nodded.

"Good. I hate being tidy," she said in a serious tone and then grinned.

"I'll be the tidy one, you can be the tough one. Deal?" he asked.

"Now there's a deal a girl can't refuse!" Laughing, she finished her coffee and picked up one of the files.

By lunch time, she'd read every file, and frowned. "Kane, there's something strange about the difference in the first case, in Inuit, compared to the other twelve."

"Hmmm?" He kept his eyes focused on his computer screen and didn't lift his gaze for a moment. She didn't answer his mumble. Sighing, he turned his gaze on her. "What's up?"

"You tell me. In every case but one, the perp coerced the women to get into the bathtub via the chat they shared. The first case up north was plain murder. Are we missing something?"

In an instant his eyes changed, becoming wary and secretive. He shrugged and returned to work. Frustrated, Ry watched him. She sensed his anger, and the wall he'd built up to keep people out of his 'space.'

"You're holding something back, Kane. I have a right to know what it is."

"I'm not holding anything back," he muttered, keeping his eyes on the screen as he typed.

Standing, Ry slowly walked around the desks until she stood beside him. She sat on the desk beside his arm, waiting for something more from him. When he ignored her, she asked, "You knew them, didn't you? Her name was Massak Amaruq. The kids Nukka and Pakak. All Inuit names." Her voice soft, caring, and persistent, she waited for him to respond.

When he continued to work on the computer, she began struggling with her anger.

"Who was she, your girlfriend?" she asked in a harsh tone. "The kids are yours, aren't they? Did she go behind your back to seek a lover on the internet? Did you find them together?"

He finally broke his silence.

"She was my wife, all right? They were my children. Four and six years old, and he murdered them all because I worked all the time and she sought attention from another man. Are you satisfied now?" he snarled, about to leap out of his seat.

Ry put her hand on his shoulder and stopped him. She didn't even contemplate taunting him now. She focused on staying impersonal, staying in cop mode.

"Hey, chill out, Popsicle Pete, I simply asked some questions. You haven't told anyone about this, have you?"

Covering his eyes with his hands, he sat back in his chair and groaned.

"No! You're the first person I've told. Up in Inuit, the cops only knew that my wife and kids were murdered and burned to death. We don't have emergency services up there. The house went up in minutes, made mostly of wood. They found Massak in the tub, burned only on her face and knees. The kids... The kids..." He didn't continue, running his fingers through his hair, as though trying to regain his cool veneer.

"Look, I'm not trying to rehash old pain, but you have to be honest with me if we're going to get this bastard. I'll work with you now, and I always get my man!" she vowed. Her twisted grin didn't seem to register with him.

Meeting his gaze, she studied him for a moment; sure that he'd expected sarcasm or contempt. Instead, Ry showed him a friend. Finally, he nodded.

"Okay. We work together. I'll tell you everything I know, but you promise me that if things get to the point you're in mortal danger with this guy, I want you out. You got it?"

"No, I can't say that I do. We'll take one step at a time, and see what happens. Okay?"

"Ry..."

The warning in his tone didn't faze her at all.

"End of story. Now tell me what you know about the Web Cleanser."

From the expression on his face, he knew it would be a waste of time to argue with her.

"Fine! I don't know why he chose my wife to be the first woman he killed, or why he took out my kids, but there is absolutely no one who has it out for me, who would kill Massak. I searched through years of cases where I made arrests, and yet nothing about any of them indicated the need for such brutal revenge. The psychologist we use on our cases did a profile on the guy, and she figures he's single, middle-aged, and suffered some kind of childhood trauma that started his killing spree."

Running his fingers through his hair in frustration, he almost didn't continue, but at Ry's nod, he took a deep breath and plunged ahead.

"Massak's computer files showed she'd been talking to him online for a few months. They talked about movies in which people had candlelit baths and listened to music before being murdered. She never told him about me or the kids. Eventually, a few weeks before the end, he changed his tune and began sweet-talking her. In their chat, he told her to imagine him entering her house, while she sat in the bathtub, with candles lit all around her. He messaged her about quietly breaking through the locked door, and spoke about cleansing her. She'd been talking to him for the last few weeks with him egging her on."

When Kane fell silent, Ry asked, "Do you think he knew her personally?"

Shaking his head, Kane said, "If you'd known her, you'd know Massak as one of the kindest, sweetest people you could meet. I should have—"

"Listen, snowball, we need to focus on the case, not on your personal guilt trip. Keep going. Tell me what else you know about the case."

After taking a deep breath, Kane continued, "Massak couldn't prevent him from holding her below the water until she drowned, leaving her there while he started the fire. There were bruises on her neck, the span of them indicating someone with large hands killed her. It appeared he only used one hand, so I imagine he'd be muscular. He obviously didn't know about the kids in the house. I'm willing to bet he had no clue when he set the house on fire."

Ry studied the pain in Kane's eyes and fought the sympathy she had for him. She wanted to keep their relationship strictly business. She recalled the fight in the gym where she'd caught a quick glimpse of his body, hard against hers on the mats.

"Ry? I asked you if you've read all the other files. I want to know what you think about him killing...my kids."

"Oh, sorry, I was lost in thought. Yes, I've read them all. The other women were all married, churchgoers, and upstanding citizens. They each worked, didn't have children, and drove their own cars."

"Why don't we take a break? You obviously need some fresh air. Let's go out and cruise around town. Maybe something will come to us." Kane packed up the files, placed them neatly on the desk, and then stood up to get his coat.

Staring into space, Ry didn't pay any attention to him until he placed his warm palm on her shoulder. She jumped as though she'd been kicked.

"What's with you today?" he asked, one dark eyebrow rising in query.

"I'm just...thinking." To cover her slip into fantasy land, she quickly gathered her thoughts and came up with an idea. "He seduced the women with an online chat session that they kept up each night at the same time. I think we need to bait the hook, and I'm going to be that bait."

Kane's eyes widened, and he frowned.

"There is no way you're going to be the bait for that psycho!"

Laughing, she stood up to face him, and then moved toward the door. "Watch me!"

"Ry, you aren't going to do it, and that's final!"

Her hand on the door handle now, she pasted a wide grin on her face as she opened it. "I'm going to be the date bait, and there's nothing you can do to stop me!" she said, then opened and slammed the door behind her before he could move. She raced off down the hall and burst into the chief's office with Kane right behind her.

Placing the receiver in its cradle, the chief groaned as they barged into his office.

"What do you want, Sanders?" he asked, apparently not pleased about her entrance.

"I have a plan to catch the Web Cleanser, and I—."

"Stop! You are not doing it, and that is my final word on it!" Kane yelled.

"Both of you sit down, and we'll talk about it," the chief said quietly.

"No! She's not risking her life as bait."

Kane's angry eyes made Ry's stomach flip with delight.

The chief raised his voice. "I said sit down, Nanuq, Sanders. Now sit!"

Not bothering to hide the smug grin on her face, she turned her back on Kane and sat, ready to fight to get what she wanted.

When they fell silent, the chief stared at Kane first. "Tell me what has you so riled up, Nanuq."

"But Chief, it's not fair. I got here first!" Ry cried, getting to her feet.

"I said sit down, Sanders. Do it now, or get the hell out of my office. I want to hear Nanuq's version first. You'll have your turn."

Frowning in anger, she flopped down into the chair and shot Kane a scathing glare. He ignored her and turned to the chief.

"Sanders plans to set herself up as bait for the Web Cleanser, but I think it's too risky. I don't want her to do it."

"Sanders, speak to me," the chief said, turning his head to look at her.

"I think being the bait is the perfect way to flush out the Cleanser. Anyway, Chief, it seems to be the point where he closes in for the kill. Set me up in a dummy house, and I'll make it appear as though I live there. I'll have to be there every day until it's resolved. I'll need a laptop with a webcam, and a program to capture all the incoming chats so we can have them analyzed by the psychologist. We'll also be able to track his IP address to narrow down the location of his computer."

The chief nodded, and sat back for a moment. When she glanced over at Kane, he was staring at her with hatred in his eyes, so she ignored him.

"Well, I've made my decision. Ry, you will be the bait. However, Nanuq will be there every minute of the day to keep an eye on things."

"I can run the op by myself, sir!" Ry protested. Not willing to be cooped up in a dummy house with him while they waited for a killer to contact her, she pushed the envelope. She knew it could take weeks, months even!

"No, you can't. You'll have Nanuq there to watch over you. You can't keep your eyes open twenty-four-seven. He'll also be recording the incoming data on a second computer. The dummy house is already furnished. We use it as a safe house usually. You'll need to get some groceries. You might as well head over there to see what you'll need. Let me know if there's anything else, but I think it's stocked well enough."

Nanuq remained silent, stewing in his anger. Ry leaped to her feet and headed to the door in a blink. She closed it quietly behind her as she left them, grinning ear-to-ear.

***

Kane remained in his seat.

"Chief, I think this is a bad idea. This psycho kills women with his bare hands. What if I'm not there when he comes for her?"

"You'll be there. Take care of her, Nanuq. She might act like she's got it all under control, but she has a vulnerability no one sees. Watch her as you would your own sister."

Kane nodded and then left, his hands clenched into tight fists as he fought his anger. Ry had stepped on Nanuq's tail, and now she would pay the price. While following her back to the office, he noticed everyone watched him. As soon as he lifted his head and stared back at them, they all turned their gazes elsewhere.

So...the gossip mill had begun. Maybe it would be better if he and Ry stayed away for a while. Opening the door to the office, he saw her putting on her winter coat.

Taking her by the shoulders, he shoved her up against the wall and placed his nose a mere inch from hers.

"Next time you decide to go over my head like that, I'll kick your butt! You knew I didn't want you doing this, yet you still pushed it through."

Smirking at him, Ry stared him right in the eye. "I don't need your permission or anyone else's, Frosty. You're not my boss, nor my husband, and even then, I wouldn't listen to you. Now back off! We have a job to do."

Reluctantly, Kane released her then followed her as they left the building, passing a room full of curious people. Fury built up in him as he watched Ry's shapely ass disappear behind the closing door.

***

You look so hot in that gown, my dove. Perhaps you should slowly take it off as you run a warm bath. You could place candles all around. Candlelight is so sexy. It would bring out the highlights in your hair.

Reading the words on the computer screen, Kathy Stucky shivered in need. She sighed and then typed her answer. I will do that, just for you. I already have the candles in place. I wish you were here with me to enjoy them.

I'll be with you. I will come and cleanse you, my dove. Get into the tub and lie back with your eyes closed. I'll sneak up on you, then pick up a bar of soap and begin washing your gorgeous body. Will you let me come?

Yes, she wrote without hesitation. On fire with desire, she imagined her invisible lover coming to her.

Then go now. I'll be with you soon. I want you to think of my hands on you, running across your delicate skin as I cleanse you. Think of me...

Suddenly he left the chat. The screen said he'd gone offline. Squirming in her seat, Kathy stared at it for a moment, then stood up and made her way to the bathroom. She slowly peeled her gown off her shoulders, letting it drop softly to the carpet. Naked, she walked over to the bathtub and turned on the water. As the tub filled, she lit all the candles. Shivering, she blew out the match, and threw the stem on the counter.

When she stepped into the bubble bath, her core was aching with need.

He's so hot! I wish he really would come to ravish me.

Lying back, she sighed, and closed her eyes, running her fingers back and forth over her body, and pinching her taut nipples hard. Crying out, she moved her hand down to touch herself, wondering if he watched, even though he lived in Europe. She imagined him standing at the doorway staring down at her, a bar of soap in his hand. He'd promised to cleanse her.

"Oh... Please, come to me now," she murmured, sinking her fingers into her body.

"I am here to cleanse you, Kathy."

Gasping, she sat up, covering her breasts. "Who are you?" she cried.

"I'm your web lover. You asked me to be here." His white teeth flashed behind the mask that covered his face but for his eyes and mouth. He'd dressed head-to-toe in black.

"No! You're supposed to be in Switzerland. How can you be here?"

"I couldn't wait to meet you, my dove. Do you wish to be cleansed?" he asked.

"Listen...I only played your game because I knew you'd never come here. I want you to leave." Vulnerable, she held a facecloth to her chest.

He stepped closer, smiling even wider now.

"I've come to cleanse you..."

"No! I'll scream if you come any closer," she cried.

"Kathy, my dove, no one will hear you. It's just you and me here." Dropping to one knee, he moved closer to the tub. "Remember how you said you wanted me here to slowly rub soap all over your body? Remember the decadent sensation of having someone cleanse you? I'm here to do it for you, my dove. Just lie back, and I'll start with your toes."

"Get out of here. You lied to me. You shouldn't be here."

His smile widened. "I'm only here to cleanse you, and to fulfill your most ardent wishes."

"Why are you wearing a mask?" she asked, shaking with fear now.

"It's more romantic this way, is it not?" Taking her ankle in hand, he began to slowly massage soap into her calf. "No! Get away." When he moved closer, she screamed, struggling to pull her foot free from his strong grip.

"You need to be cleansed, my dove. All sins must be washed away."

"No," she cried. "You're sick!"

Suddenly, his eyes changed. He placed his hand around her neck. Kathy's eyes flew open wide. He suddenly raised his voice. "I cleanse thee of thy most foul thoughts. I cleanse thee of thy sinful desires. I cleanse thee now..."

Before she could scream again, he shoved her beneath the water. She fought to release his hand, filled with terror. Though she struggled, Kathy couldn't break his hold. Her feet thrashed around in the water as she fought to reach the surface. She tried to scratch his arms, but couldn't penetrate the thick wool sweater. He prevented her from kicking his head.

Finally darkness closed around her.

***

In moments, she drowned, water filling her lungs, her eyes remaining wide open as they stared up at her murderer.

"There, my dove. You have been cleansed. Now, I must cleanse your home to kill all of the evil energy around you. Rest well, my dove."

The killer moved quietly around the house as he gathered what he needed to burn it down. For a moment he paused at a photo of the woman's wedding. Her husband appeared to be trusting and proud, a wide smile on his face as he gazed down at her.

"You'll thank me for releasing your unfaithful wife."

He'd brought kerosene in from his car down the street and set the master bedroom and bathroom areas on fire. As he dropped the match, he laughed. He raced out of the house and back to his car.

Instead of driving away from the scene, he hung around and waited for help to arrive. He loved watching the firefighters in action.
Chapter 4

Early in their shift, Ry and Kane set out in their unmarked car to check out two of the murder scenes. Ry drove on autopilot as she envisioned Kane fresh out of bed, his long hair loose, dripping wet from the shower. When she nearly drove through a red light, she gasped, pulling herself together. The last thing she should be doing is crossing the line into romance when she had a murder to solve.

"What's up?" Kane asked. He stared at her, and she could sense his gaze.

"Why is your surname different from your wife's?" she questioned, to hide her true reason for being off-guard.

Turning his head away, Kane explained, "My Inuit name is Amaruq, which translates to Nanuq. I use an English name because it's easier here."

"Oh, sounds good to me." She changed the subject. "This storm better let up, or we'll have to send away for your sled dogs."

Grinning, he glanced at her. "I do have sled dogs and a sled."

The light changed, and she started moving the car through the icy intersection. Laughing, she asked, "What do you call them? Rudolf, Ice Cube, Slush Puppy...?"

Chuckling, he shook his head. "I have seven dogs, but their names are in Inuit so you wouldn't be able to pronounce them."

"Ha! Haven't you learned yet? I can't turn down a challenge."

"Okay, here goes: Adlartok, Aklak, Atka, Corazon, Purnaq, Suka, and Kunikpok."

Snorting at the strange pronunciation, she asked, "What do they mean?"

He chuckled. "Clear Sky, Brave, Guardian Spirit, Heart, Fat, Fast, and Kisses."

Ry laughed so hard tears filled her eyes. "Why would you name a dog Fat or Kisses?"

"Well, Purnaq steals the other dogs' food, which causes a lot of fights between them. Kunikpok, her name speaks for itself. She's affectionate."

"Teach me some more names," Ry urged.

"No."

"No?" she asked, turning her head toward him.

"You have to learn to say all the other names I told you first."

"Ha!" Returning her gaze to the road, she grinned. "You are no fun at all, Igloo Boy."

"Naga!"

"What does that mean?" she said, still chuckling.

"It means 'no.'" His eyes focused on the road. "Stop here!" he said quickly.

"What does that mean?" she snickered.

"It means stop right now!" he shouted.

Slamming on the brakes, she steered around the skid to prevent crashing. It took her a few seconds to see what he saw, but when she did, she pulled her gun and began opening the door. He placed a hand on her arm and held her in place, his eyes still on the scene before them.

"Let's go."

"Just hang on. We don't want to let him know we're here too soon. He might shoot someone."

She watched the man with the gun aim at someone inside the bank as he backed out the door. Just as he left the building, Kane yelled, "Now!"

With guns drawn, the pair jumped out of the car and took cover behind two parked cars. Ry moved forward, trying to get around the man. Kane kept his eye on her, swearing because she'd placed herself in the line of fire.

Standing up, Kane aimed his gun and yelled, "Police! Freeze!"

The stunned man spun and aimed directly at Kane. Ry threw a snowball at precisely the same time, knocking the gun hand slightly, and the shot missed Kane. The robber turned the gun toward her, but she tackled him to the ground and slapped the cuffs on him before Kane reached her side.

"Consider yourself under arrest, idiot!" she said, stripping off his mask. "Holy crap, you're a little kid!" she said in disgust.

Kane called in a squad car to take over and waited patiently while she kept the boy on the cold ground.

"Get off me! I'm freezing my ass off!" the fifteen-year-old complained.

"Sanders, get up!" Kane said firmly, pulling her off the kid.

"Let me go, Nanuq."

He did set her free, pulling her away from the boy before dragging the kid to his feet.

"Keep her the hell away from me!" the boy shouted.

Ry tried to get closer to the boy, but Kane stepped in front of her.

"Get out of my way!" she cried.

"Naga! Now stay put."

When the squad car pulled up, O'Roark and Carla stood next to them.

"Picking on criminals again, Sanders?" he asked, fighting back a grin, unsuccessfully.

"Shut..." She stopped speaking abruptly when Kane squeezed her wrist, making her gasp.

"I'll make a full report when we get back to the precinct, O'Roark. We have to go now. Here's your prisoner. Goodbye." He let O'Roark take the prisoner. Kane opened the passenger side, taking the keys from her before helping her inside then closed the door.

Ry bit her tongue, but when Kane got into the car and shut the door, he held up his finger and stared her down. "Not...one...word!" he said, his voice a low growl.

Crossing her arms, she closed her mouth and stewed in her anger for the next twenty minutes until they reached their destination.

***

After checking out the two crime scenes, they headed back to the precinct. The thick snow had piled up high, leading to accidents happening everywhere. The traffic stood at a standstill.

Ry turned to him. "Don't you ever embarrass me that way in front of my peers again!"

Kane glared at her. "You were too rough on the boy."

"Bull. He needed to learn a lesson." She suddenly cried out, "Turn here!" She pointed to the right.

Shooting her a glare, he kept driving.

"I said, turn here. I'm not going back to the station just so I have to fight my way through this damned storm again when I'm right by my house."

He slowed down and turned the corner.

"Third one on the left," she grumbled. She couldn't wait to get away from him.

He turned into the driveway and waited while she jumped out and slammed the door behind her.

***

Shaking his head, Kane tried backing out, but the snow, so deep on the sloped driveway, prevented him from moving the car. Swearing, he climbed out and searched for a shovel. Not seeing one, he started for the door only to find one thrown at his feet. The combatants stared at each other with cold anger for a long moment and then Kane picked up the shovel and started digging.

Lifting her chin, Ry walked into her house and slammed the door so hard the snow fell from the roof, leaving a four-foot-high pile in front of the door.

Growling, Kane threw down the shovel and stomped through the snow, opening her door, and walking right in.

"What the hell are you doing in my house?" she shouted from the stairs, where she sat taking off her snow-laden boots.

"You and I are going to have a talk. Now, do we do it outside or in?" he said in a calm, deadly tone.

"I'm not talking to you ever again, you...you—"

"Choose!" he shouted, so loudly it startled her into silence.

She stared up at him with her mouth open until he took a step forward.

"Inside!" she cried, throwing her boot down and stomping up the stairs.

He watched the taut muscles working in her ass as she climbed the five steps and turned to her left. Kicking off his boots, he stormed after her. She stood in the living room, staring out the window with her back to him. On silent feet, he moved swiftly up behind her and took her wrist, turning her to face him. She squawked in surprise and raised her other arm in a wide arc to punch him, but he caught her fist and held it.

Both of them were out of breath as they stared at each other in silence. Ry tried to ignore the energy charge between them as they fought for control. Kane broke the moment first, dropping his lips to her neck.

Knees nearly buckling, Ry gasped and began pulling at his shirt. She'd already undone three buttons when he spoke. "Bedroom!"

For once not questioning him, she turned and practically ran down the hall with him right on her tail. She threw open the bedroom door and ripped her holster off.

Turning back to him, she put up her shaking hand.

"The deal is we do this once, and only once. Got it?" she panted.

He moved forward to undress her, but she shook her head. "Once!"

Finally, he nodded and ripped her shirt up and over her head while she struggled to free her hands. With a flick of his fingers, her bra came undone and landed on top of her shirt on the other side of the room. For a moment he paused, holding her by her shoulders as his gaze roved over her body.

"You are so beautiful, Ry."

Pushing his hands away, she murmured, "Be quiet. Make love to me."

He slipped his arms around her, seized her lips, and kissed her until she couldn't think straight. His minty breath warmed her while the subtle scent of sandalwood stirred her senses. His touch lit a fire in her core that was dying to be quenched. The touch of his fingers on her tender skin sent heat through her veins until she wanted to scream in ecstasy.

Breathless, she ran her fingers down his chest and along his six-pack abs, trailing around his navel, and finally down along the hard bulge in his pants. She hissed as her imagination kicked into gear with want of him; she'd never experienced having sex for pleasure. No one she'd been with could give her what she truly wanted. Never having had an orgasm, she wasn't sure what to expect.

When Kane groaned, pushing his hips forward to press his cock into her palm, she found her personal power and smiled. She wanted him inside her, filling her. He slipped his palms down to her ass cheeks and sighed as he pressed her against him harder.

"You're making it impossible for me to stop, Ry."

His lips came down to claim her breast, bringing a deep moan from her. She stopped trying to strip him, and let him do whatever he wanted.

Hot lips blazed a trail up to her neck and her stomach flipped, releasing dozens of butterflies in her belly. He picked her up and dropped her roughly on the bed, stripping off her pants in no time. He leaned forward to join her on the mattress, but she halted him again.

"Take off all your clothes. I want to see you, and touch you. Do it, now!" she said, practically purring like a kitten, her pelvis shifting on the bed as he paused.

Locking eyes with her, Kane saw she meant business. He swore as he stripped off his holster and clothes. In seconds, he lay on top of her, his mouth back on her breast.

Roughly pulling his hair tie out, she threaded her fingers through his raven-black tresses and held him close to her chest. Arching her neck, she cried out, wrapping her legs around his hips.

"Naga. When I'm ready," he said, focusing on her other breast.

"I want you now!" she cried out.

He ignored her and kept suckling the tender skin, his fingers gently pinching her other nipple. Between her groans and shifting hips, he couldn't wait any longer. He thrust his hips forward, his shaft sinking deep and hard into her.

Ry shouted and tugged his hair, trying to pull him up so he would kiss her, yet each time she came close to kissing him, he moved his mouth away.

Squeezing his eyes shut as her hot pussy contracted around him, he couldn't hold on any longer, waiting for her to come with him. Ecstasy flooded over him as he came close to release. He caught her sweet scent, a taste of lavender, and hissed. Unable to help himself, he gave a loud shout, releasing into her, groaning as his heat washed over them both.

Collapsing, yet careful not to crush her, he rested his head by hers, his lips caressing her cheek. Kane slipped to her side and held her close while his heart gradually slowed.

***

Lying beneath him for a few moments, Ry suddenly realized that she wanted to stay with him. Already, she wanted him again. Crying out, she shoved him away from her and raced out of the room, closing the bathroom door tightly behind her and locking it.

Struggling to regain her breath, Ry leaned the back of her head against the door and fought unexpected tears. She'd never wanted to be with her lovers of the past more than once. This time, like all others, she didn't find the sweet release she craved. Unable to find the completion she hoped for, she recalled her words about having sex only once, and cursed. For a moment, she'd believed Kane would help her find it, but he hadn't, and she experienced disappointment. A knock on the door startled her from her musings and she jumped, her hand going to her chest to still the rapid heartbeats.

"Are you all right, Ry?" he asked quietly.

"I'm... I'm fine. I'll help you dig out the car, and you can go." Struggling, she couldn't keep her voice from wavering.

Silence came from the other side of the door for a long moment, then, "Ry, we need to talk about this."

"No, we don't. I told you, it would be only once, and it already happened. You agreed."

"Ry..."

"You agreed," she repeated. She heard him sigh.

"All right, have it your way. I can shovel the driveway myself. You stay here. I'll pick you up in the morning."

Biting her lip, she didn't answer him. She never heard him walk away. When she finally heard the front door close, she slid down to the floor and put her face in her hands. It took her a long time to gain control of herself and rebuild the protective wall around her, but she did it.

She didn't sleep that night. Ry kept thinking about their 'session' over and over again. Unable to lie still, she tossed and turned all night, finally jumping into a cold shower early and sitting down to an instant coffee. When she heard the car beep, she slipped on her winter gear and rushed out the door to face him. She figured that it might end up being another tough day.

***

"There was a third mysterious murder in the city last night. Police aren't releasing any details, but it's possible that there is an internet serial killer on the loose. A thirty-four-year-old woman was found drowned in her bathtub, her house set on fire. Her name is being withheld until relatives can be notified. This is Ryan Garrison at City Eyes. Back to you, Allan..."

Chief Irving turned off his TV and sat back, uttering a groan. He wondered how the press knew so much, when he hadn't released any information. He hoped Sanders and Nanuq could solve this case before any other women died. O'Roark made sure to fill him in on the bank robbery before they left for the day. Sanders and Nanuq hadn't returned in the unmarked car all night. Of course with the storm, he could understand them going straight home after their investigation. He was concerned about the way the partners were reacting to each other. What if Sanders killed Nanuq for stealing a donut from her? The chief chuckled and sat back to drink his coffee, jumping when the door slammed open, and spilling the hot liquid on his white shirt.

"Sanders, what..." Lifting his gaze, he saw Nanuq fuming with anger. He frowned, truly shocked as he stared at the disturbed man.

"Chief, she's impossible. I need a new partner," he shouted, loud enough to be heard in the main room.

"It's a freakin' epidemic!" the chief groaned.

At his wits' end, the chief yelled, "No! Learn to work with her. She's a cop, isn't she?"

"Did you hear what she did at the robbery last night?" Kane asked, frustrated to no end.

"Ah, let's see, took down a gunman? Saved lives?"

"Besides that, she put herself in jeopardy on purpose. The kid could have killed her but for a bit of luck that he missed his aim!"

Wiping his hand over his sleepless eyes, Kane fought to keep a straight face. He'd concocted a reason to come into the chief's office to complain about Ry, so the gossip mill wouldn't put two and two together about last night. He figured if the other cops thought he'd tried to get out of working with her, they would keep their assumptions to themselves. However, his anger about her endangering herself grew to alarming proportions.

When he'd picked her up in the morning, she'd refused to talk about anything, so they'd driven to work in silence. Entering the front doors, she marched right past everyone without pause, still ignoring him completely. He pretended to be furious with her for the bank incident. When O'Roark met his gaze, Kane rolled his eyes and shook his head, making the man laugh.

The chief sighed. "Listen, I've been through the whole deal with her, and I'm not about to start with you. You two will work together, no matter what it costs me. Now get out of here, will you? Please?"

Ry was suddenly standing at the door, and he shouted, "No! Now both of you get off my freakin' back!"

Kane nearly laughed aloud when Ry closed her mouth, threw up her hands, and marched down the hall to her office. He followed, frowning for his audience. The tension rose as she remained quiet for the remainder of the day.

When he realized he wanted to keep her safe, he stopped in his tracks, unwilling to deal with the emotions running riot in his gut. After taking a deep breath, he entered the office and walked over to his desk. She ignored him, so he followed suit. At least the cops outside the door wouldn't know they'd crossed the line and become lovers.

***

Once they'd packed the equipment into the car, they left the precinct and moved into their new home. Things were still tense between them, and Ry wouldn't talk to him about the night before, but at least they efficiently set up their operation.

After they'd finished, Kane made them lunch and Ry began making contacts on the internet. She joined chat rooms where churchgoing people logged in. By dinnertime she'd contacted sixteen possible suspects and then worked on chatting and eliminating.

"Dinner's ready," Kane said quietly from the doorway.

Ry gazed down at her lap. "I'm not hungry."

"Ha!" Kane taunted. "Here I thought you were an aklak woman."

"A what?" she questioned, turning to stare at him. She nearly groaned when she saw his body outlined by the hall lights. Being so attracted to him was proving to be dangerous.

"Aklak, as in brave. I guess everyone at the station has the wrong impression about you." Shrugging, he said, "Oh, well, suit yourself. I can probably eat both portions." Kane turned his back on her and left the room with the door wide open.

"Aklak? I'm aklak," she cried, and practically raced to the door. When she turned the corner, she slammed into a wall of hard muscle. When he threw back his head and laughed full tilt, she lifted her gaze and joined in.

"You're such a jerk! You made me angry on purpose," she said, passing him on her way to the kitchen. Her shoulders shook as she fought to hide her chuckles.

When he put his hands on them to stop her, she suddenly lost the humor. Pulling away from him, she said, "Don't touch me. We're strictly business now."
Chapter 5

A few days later, Ry lay in a hot bubble bath, listening to the music serenading her, while trying to relax as she waited for the Web Cleanser to come to her. Lit candles surrounded the tub, lending a sweet, romantic atmosphere. Suddenly the door swung open, and Kane stood there, tall and proud.

"The locks on this building suck!" he grumbled as he moved toward her.

"How long did it take you?" she asked. She wore shorts and a tube top in case the killer came. Still, she found her vulnerable side stirring.

"Three minutes, give or take. None of the neighbors saw a thing, and not one dog noticed me sneaking up to the house."

Leaning her arm on the side of the tub, she rested her chin on her fist. "Are you going to kill me now?" she asked in a sultry voice.

"Maybe later. I'm off to do a comparison on the locking mechanisms from each of the murder scenes. See ya," Kane said. His eyes never once met hers, constantly moving around the small room while he spoke.

Ry sighed in both relief and frustration. She couldn't keep her eyes off him. She loved the way his silky black ponytail twisted into a curl at the end and how his strong muscles flexed as he moved. Closing her eyes, she sank down into the suds, and smothered a groan.

They'd only been together at the house for a week, and she'd chatted with many people online, most of whom she discarded as suspects due to their perverted conversations. She narrowed it down to three potentials with whom she began building relationships.

The longer they stayed in the house together, the less she could fight the attraction to Kane. She could barely keep her mind on her job. Ry told herself over and over that their relationship needed to remain strictly business. Each day it became harder to do.

Late evenings were the hardest times to deal with her attraction to him. Kane shut himself up in his room and worked on his computer, ignoring her completely. Used to being the one who gave the cold shoulder, Ry realized she'd stepped out of her element. She had a hard time trying to deal with her frustration. Being online and chatting up her potentials helped her to cope.

Pulling the plug, Ry stood up and reached for a towel. The door suddenly opened again, and Kane walked in, freezing in place when he saw her standing there. Bubbles covered her wet body as she watched him. Water droplets and foam slowly dripped down her legs. Dropping her arm, she waited to see what he'd do. His eyes scanned every inch of her with lust. The passion simmered in his gaze only for a moment, and then became quickly shuttered as he hid his emotions, but Ry did notice the hard lump forming in the front of his pants. That gave her some satisfaction.

"Oh...um...sorry, I wanted to ask you...ah...never mind." Turning on his heel, he left in a hurry, closing the door quietly behind him.

Smiling slowly, Ry picked up the towel and began drying herself off.

***

The icy cold water rained down on his rock-hard cock, yet he couldn't cool the heat from his desire for Ry. She represented everything he ever wanted in a woman, and so much more. A fire burned in her, which few men could match. And beautiful? Undeniably. She didn't even try to enhance her natural features with makeup. She didn't need to. Since moving into the house, Ry kept her hair down, letting the natural waves caress her shoulders.

It drove him mad! Kane took to hiding in his room at night so he wouldn't have to be near her. The moment he believed he'd be able to control himself, she'd walk past him and he'd catch a trace of her subtle scent. His shaft would instantly harden. Groaning, he glanced at the object in question. Even frigid water couldn't keep him down. Thinking maybe a long jog would help, he turned off the tap. Opening the shower curtain, he froze.

Leaning against the door frame with her arms crossed and a sultry smile on her face, Ry stared at the evidence of his attraction to her. Dressed from neck-to-toe in black lace and satin, she attracted his eyes as they caressed every inch of her in one long sweep. She covered her breasts, but it didn't make her any less alluring.

"Um...something's up...with my online lover. You'd better come and see." She turned and walked out of the room, leaving the door open behind her.

Since installing the webcam, she'd taken to dressing the part, wearing sexy nightgowns that revealed more than they hid. Kane's member twitched.

He murmured, "I agree wholeheartedly, my friend."

***

Walking into the bedroom expecting another round of sexual heat from Ry, it surprised him when she put her finger to her lips and waved him over to the desk. She indicated with her finger that the webcam was on. Reluctantly, Kane sat on the extra chair beside her, out of sight, biting back a gasp as his leg brushed against her soft skin.

Ry appeared to be unaffected by it and motioned for him to read the screen. Forcing his gaze away from her soft shoulder, he read the message.

I live in Hawaii, so I'm too far away to touch your sweet skin, my darling, but if you could just show me a little of your naked shoulder, I'd cherish the moment forever. Tell me you'll share a piece of yourself with me, my darling. Oh, how I wish I could be there with you...

Raising an eyebrow, Kane glanced at Ry. With the specialized equipment added to the second computer, she showed him that the IP address from where the author sent the information resided in Brooklyn, far from Hawaii.

Before letting Kane speak, Ry typed I'll think about it, cutie pie. Let's chat same time tomorrow. Gotta go. Cynthia.

Turning off the sound and covering the webcam, Ry met his gaze with a question in her eyes.

"What?" he asked.

"Do you think this guy fits the MO of the killer? I think for the most part he does, but he's way too easy to track. I have the cops in Brooklyn checking him out right now."

"I don't think he's the right guy. Besides, he has to be close by to ensure he can get her into the tub, and be there on time to kill her. I think he lives close by," Kane mused.

"I agree," Ry said. "Now, here is another one."

It's lonely in Alaska. I am not a handsome man, Lissa. I tend to be a mite shy. Do you go to church?

"Church?" Kane asked. "The Cleanse Thee part would fit with a churchgoer."

"Again, I agree. This one is definitely in Alaska." Ry turned to another screen. "I think I can eliminate him. The other two I'm working on might not be so simple. Stay out of sight of the webcam, and be quiet while I see how Mr. Alaska can handle a little dynamite."

Typing into the chat screen, Ry stared into the webcam. "Hi, Jonathan, I've been thinking about our last conversation, and wondered what you would think if I showed you a little more of my...personality? Look carefully at me, and tell me, do you think I would make a good member of the flock?"

Ry began undoing the tiny satin buttons at her neckline, slowly, one at a time. She licked her lower lip a number of times, and stared into the cam with a sultry stare. When she finally undid all the buttons, she edged the black satin slowly off her shoulders.

"Do you want me, Jonathan?" she cooed, letting the robe slip down to pool at her waist.

Kane swallowed hard, anger building as he watched her seduce the man. He didn't want anyone seeing her body—except him!

When she dipped her fingers deep into her cleavage, he ground his teeth. As she gradually let them follow the low neckline until they came to each spaghetti strap, he clenched his fists. Then she slipped one strap off her shoulder, and he nearly jumped out of his seat to smash the computer.

"Johnny...tell me you like this kind of church madam..." she whispered.

Mesmerized by her sensual movements, Kane barely registered her expression when it changed, and she appeared shocked.

"Why Johnny, I showed you what you could have had. You don't have to be so crude!" she huffed, pulling her straps up again. Reaching for the keyboard, she clicked the link, turning it off.

Turning to Kane, she grinned. "Well, we can leave out Mr. Alaska. He's too pure of heart to want a 'sleazy whore' as he put it." Ry giggled and turned back to the computer.

Beside himself with anger, Kane fell silent for a few moments, and then suddenly lunged at her, making her squeal in surprise. With a tight grip on each of her arms, he lifted her to her feet.

"How dare you do that to yourself? You should have a better self-image. No one should treat you with such disrespect. If you want to play the whore then play it with someone who at least knows you're not serious."

Staring up at him in surprise, Ry gazed into his eyes, confusion in her expression.

"I'm simply doing my job, eliminating suspects from the list. What do you expect me to do, ask them if they murder women in bubble baths?"

"There are other ways to catch a killer. I forbid you to use your sex appeal to lure them in. Do you hear me?" he shouted.

"I think the whole neighborhood heard you. Now let go of my arms!"

Suddenly realizing that he'd crossed the line, he let her go as if she'd burned him and left the room, slamming the door behind him.

***

For the next two weeks they followed much of the same routine. Ry spent her time talking to strangers, and Kane spent his time watching over her. The tension between them began increasing by increments, a little more each day.

On the third Thursday of their enforced captivity, there came a knock on the front door, and Kane answered it. To his surprise, Detective Carla Hamilton stood there. He opened the door immediately.

"What can I do for you, Detective?" Kane asked.

Grinning, Carla handed him a package.

"Special delivery for your partner. Are you going to let me in?"

"Sure, come on in," Kane said. He glanced down at the frilly package and gave Carla a questioning glance.

She laughed. "I'm not saying a word. I only did the shopping as specified."

"Hey, Carla, come on in." Ry let her in and took the package from Kane, offering a warning glare.

After an endless moment, he turned, heading back to his computer.

***

"Come on, let's go into the bedroom so I can try it on," Ry whispered to Carla, grinning.

Once they closed the door tightly behind them, Carla asked, "Um, how is Nanuq taking the pressure of you wearing all those sexy nightgowns every night?"

"Ha!" Ry laughed. "He wouldn't notice a wall if he walked into it. As far as I'm concerned, he sees me only as a cop doing her job. I'll admit it creeps me out, knowing those perverts are watching me in such skimpy clothes."

"You're a better woman than me, Ry. There's no way I'd dress up for those beasts. I wish I could see the look on Nanuq's face when he sees you in this getup."

Ry lifted the white satin gown out of the package and quickly put it on, not shy about changing in front of her colleague. She'd begun to lower her guard and get closer to Carla since the day she fought Kane on the mats.

Carla gasped when Ry modeled it for her.

The form-fitting gown fell gracefully to the floor. A matching feather boa accented her shoulders since there were no straps to hold the gown up. At the back a single hook pulled the material together just below her shoulders. A large oval cut out dropped to the top of her buttocks. She didn't have a robe to go with it, but did have a pair of silver high heels with white feathers across the top of the foot.

"I've never seen anything like it, Carla. Thanks for picking it out. This should bring the worms out of the woodwork, don't you think?" Ry did a slow circle in front of the mirror.

"I think you might not even get to the worms once Nanuq sees you. I bet he'll jump you in the first ten seconds." Grinning, Carla played with the boa.

"Ha! I doubt it. We have a strictly business relationship. He wouldn't touch me with a ten foot pole."

"Wanna bet? His 'pole' may or may not reach ten feet, but let me tell you, his jaw will drop to the ground when he sees you."

"Carla, you're living in a dream world. The iceman won't come near me."

"I'll bet you twenty bucks he'll jump your bones within the first hour he sees you in that getup!" Carla teased.

"I'll take that bet, and if I lose, I'll give you an extra twenty bucks. How's that sound?"

"It's a bet!" Carla spat on her palm and held out her hand. Ry followed suit. The bet was on, even though she knew that her attraction to Kane was all too real.

"Well, I guess I'd better get ready for my perverts. Thanks for dropping this by," Ry said.

Carla surprised her by hugging her. "You go get 'em, tiger!"

"Ah...sure. Thanks again." Ry watched Carla leave the room, the woman giving her a wink before the door clicked closed behind her. No one had shown her affection before, especially any of the men who'd dated her, or even her family members. She'd never been a hugger before, and found it difficult to adjust to someone doing it to her. She shook her head, wondering at the strange sensation.

The door opened and Kane stood there with stunned amazement and heated lust on his face.

"Carla...she said you wanted me."

Taking his words out of context, she cried out, "I do not! You keep your hands to yourself!" Embarrassed that she had nearly given away her true feelings, she turned and walked carefully over to her computer, about to sit down when she heard him gasp. She couldn't help but grin with satisfaction as she gracefully lowered herself into the chair and booted up the computer. She had no doubt now that she'd lose the bet, but it was worth the forty bucks if the gown worked to get closer to Kane.

"What are you doing?" Kane asked in a gruff tone.

Without turning to face him, she said, "I'm going to work. I'll pull the creep out from whatever rock he's hiding under if it kills me!"

"It just might," he muttered, taking his position to the side of the desk at the second computer, out of sight of the webcam.

Ry sensed his heated stare and bit back a grin. The gown, practically transparent, showed her nipples faintly beneath the material.

"Here we go. Pervert numero uno!" Ry started typing. First the conversation covered small talk, but soon the man began commenting on her gown, and the situation fell downhill from there. The dirtier the comments, the angrier Kane became. Next thing Ry knew, Kane disconnected the link and took her by the arm.

"How can you let him talk to you that way?" Fury filled Kane's eyes. A new heat emanated from him, charged with energy aimed directly at Ry. He knew she had to be alluring to capture the killer, but protested her methods.

"Take your hand off my arm. It's none of your concern how they talk to me. I have a job to do. I'm filtering through the degraded scum buckets on the internet for a reason. It doesn't make a difference to me what they say. It only matters that we capture the bastard who is killing woman after woman for his own personal pleasure. Now let me go!" she snarled, trying to pull her arm away from his strong grip.

"Look at you! You dress like a whore for them."

"It has nothing to do with me. Whatever they say to me, I am looking at it in my cop mode. They could call me every name in the book and it doesn't matter. I am doing my job!" she yelled.

Kane pulled her close to him, her breasts crushed up against his chest. He captured her other arm, bringing their lips within a hairsbreadth of each other. His dark angry gaze held hers. Their quickened breaths mingled, making them even more aware of their closeness.

Talking through his teeth, Kane spoke in a low growl, "You deserve to be treated with respect. To be loved by someone who would cherish you. You're not a piece of trash to be thrown out."

"Well, you also deserve someone you can love, but you're so busy working on your vendetta that you won't dare let anyone close enough to have any emotional ties. You're like an iceberg. You're frozen and alone in your own world of pain. It's time for you to thaw, Kane. Don't try telling me what to do with my life when you can't even deal with your own!" she shouted.

As he stared down at her in silence, she watched the emotions rolling through his eyes. Anger, lust, pain, confusion, and finally...decision. His lips crashed down on hers, taking them prisoner. She pushed at him, trying to break free, but he held firm, slanting his lips over hers, his tongue thrusting deep into her mouth.

A defensive part of Ry's heart wanted to fight him off, but the other part surged to meet his passion. When she began to kiss him back, he picked her up and carried her to the bed, their lips still locked. When her back touched the cool bedspread, she cried out, shocked into realizing where they were going. She suddenly pulled his hair, breaking the kiss.

She moaned. "Stop, we have to stop! We had our one time. That's all we get, one time."

"Now who's hiding? You won't let yourself go enough to enjoy it. You keep that solid brick wall in between you and me. That's why you can't orgasm. Well, be prepared, lady. I'm going to make love to you until you come over and over again. I'm going to smash that wall to pieces, Ryland Sanders."

His lips captured hers once again as he poured wild passion into her. Ry became lost in his power. She fell hard, landing in the mist of desire and sensation. When he finally released her lips, she cried out, wanting more, but he had moved on. His lips traced a path over her cheeks, her eyebrows, her earlobe, then flowed down her neck, making her squirm beneath his hard body.

Reaching behind her, he released the hook in one swift move then continued the path down her neck to her sensitive collarbone. Sharp teeth nibbled gently on her tender skin. His warm tongue licked the sensitive area to soothe them.

Ry squirmed harder, crying out for him, "Kane, please stop. This is crazy!"

"If I'm crazy, then it's because of you. Every night I watch you chatting online in those outfits. You'd drive any man crazy with that. You don't even need to wear those things. You could be dressed in full uniform, and I'd shake from head-to-toe with wanting you. Now give yourself to me, Ry, all the way. Come for me," he murmured in her ear.

Slipping her gown down to her waist, he ravished her breasts one at a time. She cried out in ecstasy, her fingers digging into his shoulders as she pulled him closer. Lightning raced from her nipple down to her lower belly, releasing a primal sound from her.

"I...think you should stop...but damned if I want you to..." she panted, her body filled with passion.

Chuckling, Kane switched to her other breast as her fingers dug deeper.

Ry had never enjoyed having sex before, but he sent her out of her mind with desire.

Moving down her torso, Kane stripped the gown off and kissed his way toward her navel and then dipped his tongue into it. Ry's hips came off the bed.

"You're killing me!" she cried out, moaning with delight.

"Just wait until I make you come. You'll think you've died and gone to heaven...I promise you that."

"I don't think you...can make me...come," she cried out, gasping for air.

Grinning, he moved downward again and licked her pussy, and she gasped. Latching onto her clit, he sucked and pulled, causing her to shudder. She gripped the bedspread with both hands, holding on for dear life, her teeth clenched together as she sought the elusive ecstasy.

Releasing her, he lifted his head. "Come for me. Let yourself go."

"I can't!" she cried.

"You can if you let yourself. Come for me." His mouth took control of her once again, making her scream in ecstasy. When his tongue entered her pussy, she jerked, sucking in a quick breath. Kane placed his finger on her clit, using his tongue to drive her mad.

"Relax into it," he murmured. "Let yourself go for once."

Ry suddenly sensed it coming, that pulsing energy. She cried out, reaching for him, to stop him. "No! Don't!" she shouted.

"Yes, now...come for me!"

Unable to stop herself when he thrust his two fingers into her channel, she cried out, "Damn you! Stop!" Ry feared losing control for the first time in her life. She'd struggled so hard to maintain it.

Pushing her that much harder as his fingers moved quickly in and out of her, he used his tongue to bring her to the edge. He worried her clitoris until she crashed over the wall, her back arched, her head thrown back, and her cry wild and out of control.

Waves of pleasure she'd never known before tore through her body. Lost in a maelstrom of sensation, she grabbed his hair while his mouth worked on her, bringing her higher yet. She let go, clutching the sheets to find stable ground.

"Kane!" she shrieked. He waited until she'd finished the last convulsion, and then began all over again. "No more! No more!" she cried as she started to fall over the cliff once again.

When she lay there panting, trembling as aftershocks rocked her, he quickly stripped off his clothing and slipped into her wetness. Ry hissed as she found fulfillment when he thrust his hips forward and hit home.

"Oh, God! Tell me I've died and gone to heaven!" she moaned.

Kissing her neck just below her ear, he murmured, "Heaven is next on the list. Follow me, come with me."

Wild and out of control, Ry hadn't experienced such untamed emotions. Threading her fingers through his long black hair, she sought his lips and claimed them.

Kane's powerful thrusts brought her to another climax in moments. When she finally stopped trembling, he began his tender assault all over again. Up and up they travelled together, reaching for the clouds. Suddenly, she couldn't take any more, and cried out. Her core began pulsing once again. Seconds later they flew over the precipice together, lost in an endless burst of sensation.

Ry lay beneath him, panting. She'd never had such a mind-bending experience before. She tried to move away from him, but he held her close.

"Not this time. You're staying with me, Ry. I want to hold you all night."

"No, you have to let me go. I can't..."

"You can, and you will," he whispered, sliding to her side and imprisoning her in his arms. "Now lie still, and go to sleep. I'll turn off the lights."

Moments later she drifted into a deep sleep, secure in his embrace.

***

Awakening slowly in a warm cocoon, Ry sighed. Kane had made love to her twice more during the night, and wouldn't let her go afterwards. For the first time in her life, she knew sexual love. Slipping away from him, she began walking to the bathroom, but something caught her eye and she froze.

"Oh, God!" All night long, the webcam had stayed on. Though the sound remained turned off, one of her suspects might have watched the entire thing!

***

Blinding white anger filled the viewer as he watched the man take her poor innocent body and ravish her. Over and over again he took her, her screams of protest completely ignored. For that he would die, and then she would be cleansed. She, who'd been so innocent and sweet, was now writhing in sin and filth. He would have to take special care to cleanse her properly. Now he would have to set up a plan for the ritual. Though he'd made special plans for this fallen angel, he decided that the man would die first.

***

In cold silence Ry poured her coffee. Still in the shower, Kane would have no idea of the turmoil she suffered. Not only had he broken down her protective walls, but they'd both jeopardized the entire operation.

One of the possible suspects had witnessed the entire night on the webcam. When she'd tried to get him chatting this morning, he'd completely ignored her. She couldn't tell which of the suspects might have been the one to see them. Anger began building.

"Good morning." Kane's deep sexy voice sent shivers up her spine.

Without turning to face him, she muttered, "'Mornin'."

He fell silent. She could sense him studying her. Pouring them both an orange juice, she placed the glasses on the table without meeting his gaze. She turned back to get two cups of coffee and froze when she sensed him at her back. His hand gently caressed her shoulder. Pulling away, she took the cups to the table and sat down at her place. Although too wound up to eat, she did her best to appear hungry.

Sitting quietly across from her, Kane picked up his juice and took a sip. Long moments passed in silence before he spoke.

"Ry, we have to talk..."

Standing right away, she took her partially eaten breakfast and began scraping it into the garbage, then practically threw the dish into the sink before heading for the door.

"I'm going to go have my shower." Without giving him another chance to talk to her, she left the room. Racing into the bathroom, she closed the door tightly and locked it. She didn't know what to say or think about all that had happened between them in the night. It had been magical, wonderful, and she wanted more. She had promised herself only one time with Kane, yet she'd had sex with him a second time, a third, and a fourth. He had rocked her whole world.

Stripping down, she turned on the water and climbed in, letting the hot water beat down on her face and body. When strong arms circled her waist, she nearly cried out, but she knew Kane's strength. She could sense his calming presence wash over her. He pulled her backwards, tucking her head beneath his chin. His hands didn't roam over her skin, but they might as well have, since the heat of them practically burned into her skin, making her shiver.

"Talk to me," he murmured.

She shook her head and picked up a bar of soap, lathering it over her chest slowly.

"Ry, we have to talk about last night. We didn't simply jump in the sack. We have a connection."

"It was sex, that's all," she whispered, her voice shaky.

"No, it had to be more than that, and you know it."

Suddenly his hands began to move, one taking the soap from her. He lathered her breasts one at a time, making her moan. Slowly he made a path down toward her belly, kissing her neck in a lingering journey down to her shoulder. When his hand began to soap up her entrance, she cried out. The bar suddenly fell to the tub below as his finger inserted deep into her sheath.

Ry writhed, gasping as the water hit her face. She slid her hands down the sides of his body, and found him, grasping his stiff cock in her hand. He groaned as she began moving her fingers up and down his shaft, her other hand cupping his balls and kneading them.

Pulling away, Kane turned her to face him and lifted her up, pushing deep within her. She cried out in sweet agony as he began moving at an incredibly fast pace. His lips claimed hers. His tongue delved deep into her mouth, seeking hers to play with.

Pulling her mouth away, she cried out as release claimed her. Kane soon joined her, growling against her shoulder as waves of bliss poured through her whole body. They stayed that way, melded together, for long moments while they caught their breaths.

Without lifting his head, Kane murmured, "It's more than just sex between us, Ry. You know it is."

Pushing at him, she fought to get away, and Kane let her go. She raced to dry off and left the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.
Chapter 6

After hanging up the cell phone, Kane turned to face Ry, frowning.

"With two women murdered within a few miles of each other last night, I think you're right, and he watched us."

Stunned, Ry shuddered. She stared at the computer monitor for a long moment, and then her expression changed to one of determination. Standing up, she walked to the closet and took out her white nightgown.

"What are you doing?" Kane asked warily.

"I'm going to catch the killer with my feminine wiles." She began undressing right in front of him.

"Ry...wait..."

"He's online there waiting for me, I know it! I'm going to lure him here tonight and we're going to get him off the streets if it's the last thing I do."

Reaching around to do up the hook, she cursed in frustration as her fingers fumbled and failed to attach it. Her eyes met his in the wall mirror as he came behind her to help. He trailed his fingers lightly down her naked back, his tender lips nuzzling her neck. When she trembled beneath his fingers, she pulled away from him.

"Let's get set up. I'll turn on my computer while you get ready to track that beast on yours."

Without a word, Kane began setting up his equipment. He suddenly didn't want her to be involved in the stakeout. The thought of her getting hurt sent shivers of dread through his veins. His nerves were already shot. He watched as Ry put on some makeup as her computer loaded. When she applied the soft pink lipstick, he nearly groaned, wanting to kiss it off her lips.

"Ry, maybe we should get someone else to do your job? He's already seen us, so he knows you're not a pure dove. Perhaps having another woman would bring him in faster?"

At his quiet words, Ry stiffened, getting her back up.

"I told you, I'm going to finish this job, and I'm going to do it tonight!" Anger accented her every move as she threw the lipstick into the drawer and slammed it shut.

Sitting back, Kane bit his tongue. He didn't want her anywhere near the killer, but she already had contact with him, and she needed to at least try to finish the job. If the man ignored her today, they might have compromised their cover and they'd have to shut down their operation.

Ry began typing to one contact, but after a half hour or so, she shook her head. "He's not the one." She tried another then another, working long into the afternoon, but none of them fit the bill.

Finally, Kane put his hand on her arm to stop her. Ry turned off the webcam and the sound before talking to him.

"What?" she asked in a tired voice.

"Take a break. I'll order us a pizza and you can relax for a while."

"No! I have a job to do. If you're hungry, then go, I can manage for a while without you." She turned back to her computer, but he pulled her arm to make her face him.

"Stop being so stubborn. He'll be available when he gets online. Most of the time when you've had contacts that seem to fit the bill, they logged on in the evenings. It won't be any good for either you or the op if you don't take care of yourself. Now come to the kitchen with me."

Dropping her head back, she took a deep breath.

"You're right, Kane. I'm sorry. It's just...I want him off the streets before he kills another woman. We're so close to getting him!" she said. Her fists clenched tightly together.

"I want that too, but doing your job when you're exhausted will only give him an edge. You need a break. I'm taking you to the kitchen even if I have to carry you," he growled, gently sucking on her neck but careful not to leave marks.

Smiling suddenly, she teased, "You just want to touch my back again!"

Kane nodded. "Yes, ma'am. My reasons for wanting you away from the computer are purely selfish." He caressed her cheek. "Now, do I carry you, or do you walk?"

Snickering, she said, "I'm tempted, but I think I'll walk."

Making a graceful turn, she left the room.

He followed willingly.

***

You need to be clean, my dove. Go and take a hot bubble bath and relax with candles burning around the tub. Think clean thoughts, and don't worry about him. He will pay the price for his sins.

But dear heart, I don't want anyone to suffer because of me. I am simply a wife trying to make ends meet. Acting the victim, Ry poured on the innocent charm. She had a hunch that said she had the right guy. She wanted to lure him in...tonight!

You take care of your sweet bath to cleanse you, my dove, and I'll take care of him.

I'm afraid he will return tonight.

Don't fear him, my dove. I will take care of everything.

I think I will go have that bath, Ry said. Goodnight, my friend.

She logged off and shut down the computer.

"He's in the city, not in California as stated." Kane showed Ry the computer location.

"That's not far from here. I'd better get into the tub. You hide in the closet."

Kane was prepared for anything. He took his equipment into the closet beside the bathroom, and waited while Ry started her bath, lit the candles, and then climbed in, wearing the shorts and a tube top.

It didn't take long before he heard someone quietly enter the house. After a short pause, the culprit jiggled the doorknob of the bathroom door and then picked the lock. Ready to spring, Kane had to wait until his quarry at least attempted the murder before he could make a move.

***

With the soft music playing in the background, Ry found it difficult to hear the door opening, but she watched the handle and knew when the man had arrived. She had verified with Kane that he wouldn't come until they proved that the man had tried to kill her.

She turned her head away from the door, humming softly and acting as though she was enjoying the bath. When the man entered the room, she expressed shock to see him there.

"Who are you?" she cried, trying to hide her top with a small face cloth.

"Come, my dove, I told you I'd be here with you." The man had dressed head-to-toe in black, wearing a mask to hide his features. Tall and slim, he seemed sure on his feet.

"But you're supposed to be in California!" she exclaimed. Ry widened her eyes even more as she played the demure innocent victim.

"I am here. That's all that matters." He moved forward and picked up a bar of soap.

"What are you doing?"

"Why, I'm going to cleanse you, my dove. Give me your foot."

"I don't know...I don't even know you," she whispered, placing her hand over her mouth. "And what if he comes home tonight and finds you here?"

"I hope that he does. He will pay for plying his filth on your tender skin."

Ry couldn't see much more than pink lips and dark eyes, but she did sense a violence about him that sent shivers up her back. Her gun lay hidden beneath the towel on the shelf next to the tub, but too far away for her to reach without at least standing. She saw Kane in the mirror, but it was too soon for him to come into the room.

Closing her eyes, she fought to keep from letting the killer know Kane stood behind him.

Lifting her foot, she handed it to the man.

"Go ahead and cleanse me. What's your real name?" she whispered, as he took her foot in his hand.

"I am his servant. I do his will."

"Whose servant?" she asked.

Tilting his head, he said, "You ask a lot of questions. Perhaps you are pure enough after all."

"What do I have to be pure enough for?"

He grimaced. "We all have to be worthy of someone. My master is searching for the perfect woman. Give me your other foot now," he demanded. Biting her lip, Ry complied.

Even with his hands gloved in latex, his touch sent shivers up her spine.

Lifting her foot for him, she tried to gauge how she should react when he made his move.

"Put your hands up, nice and slow," Kane said quietly.

Events happened fast, leaving Ry hard-pressed to remember the details. Her foot dropped, landing with a splash in the water, and the killer spun quickly, pulling a knife from his wrist and throwing it before Ry could utter a word. Hitting the ground like a sack of potatoes, Kane lay full out in the hallway on his back.

Hatred filled the eyes of her would-be killer as he curled his large hand around her neck and pushed her under the water. Ry fought with every skill she had, but she couldn't break his hold. When her foot made contact with his cheek, he leaned back and kept his hold on her. As soon as things began to go black, he released her, but she had nothing left to lift her head from the water to find air. Darkness washed over her.

***

Kane fought through the pain and gained his feet, grabbing the killer and pulling him away from Ry. She was drowning! Throwing the man from the room, he reached in and grabbed her, pulling her out of the water. She landed in a sodden heap on the floor.

"Ry!" Kane shouted. He quickly applied CPR until she gasped and spewed water on the floor.

"Damn you...never mind me...go get him!" she sputtered. Before she could look up, she heard a crack and Kane fell over her, pinning her to the floor facedown.

"He shall die for what he did to you!" the killer said in a low growl.

"No, I did it. Please, don't hurt him!" she cried, keeping up the act.

"Perhaps you're right, my dove. I'll leave him to his maker, and take you as a sign that he should have left you be."

He rolled Kane's prone form off her body. Ry reached for the towel, but it was still too far away. In the blink of an eye, blackness surrounded her as pain crashed through her skull. Then she knew no more.

***

Carla stopped by the house to bring another parcel for Ry. The door stood slightly ajar, so she quietly put the package down and pulled her gun out. Making her way through the house, she saw the light on in the bathroom. When she heard a moan, she rounded the corner, yelling "Police, Freeze!" Then came another moan.

"Oh, my God, Nanuq! How bad are you hurt?" she cried, as she dropped to her knee to check his pulse. He didn't answer. Pulling out her hand radio, she called for help, and then set about stopping the blood with a hand towel.

During the ride to the hospital, Kane never regained consciousness, so Carla couldn't tell the chief what had happened to Ry. Kane remained unconscious for the next twelve hours, even after the surgeon repaired the damage the knife had inflicted, because the blow to his head had caused a severe concussion. Carla had requested to stay with Nanuq so that she could get the details as quickly as possible when he woke up—if he woke up.

***

"I want an all-points bulletin put out for Detective Ryland Sanders. I want the Web Cleanser found!" the chief bellowed to the room full of armed officers. "Check every home in the area around the dummy house, and find out if they saw something, anything. Detective Nanuq is still unable to tell us what happened. We have forensics going over the home with a fine-tooth comb. This is a priority over any other case. The more time goes by, the less chance we have of finding Sanders alive. Dismissed!"

The chief watched as the room emptied in a hurry. Not one officer asked a question. They all left at once to find one of their own.

***

Watching over Kane, Carla waited impatiently for him to awaken. He held the answers to her questions. The heartbeat monitor kept beeping, while the harsh clinical scent of the hospital singed her nostrils. When he started moving, his fingers twitching as his head shifted on the pillow, she leaped to her feet and pressed the button for the nurse. He squinted and groaned as he tried to open his eyes under the bright lights.

"Nanuq! You're going to be all right. Just lie still. Here, let me put the oxygen mask back on," she said in a low tone.

"Ry..." he murmured.

"We'll talk about that soon. Right now you must rest. You had a close call yesterday. Thank God you have an exceptional surgeon."

Pushing her hands away when she tried to replace the mask, he sucked in a breath and then gasped.

"Tell me...now!" he said, his voice a low growl.

Sighing, Carla did as he asked. She knew he wouldn't wait a minute longer for news of Ry.

"Promise me you won't try to get up?" she asked. She knew it to be a useless question.

"Tell me!"

"Okay, okay...relax. I'll tell you what I know, and then it's up to you to tell me what happened. We're in the dark here, Nanuq. I came by the house around ten o'clock to deliver Ry's next package. The door stood open slightly. I dropped the package and entered the house with my gun drawn. I found you on the bathroom floor, bleeding heavily. He left no sign of Ry. Now, fill in the details. What went wrong?"

The nurse rushed in. "The doctor will be here in a moment to check on his patient. Perhaps you should leave, miss."

Pulling out her badge, Carla gave the nurse a stern expression. "I'm not going anywhere. The patient and I have something to discuss first. Now, will you leave us alone for a few minutes, please?"

The woman's cheeks flushed bright red, her mouth opening and closing like a fish.

"I...why...I never—"

"Out!" Carla shouted.

The nurse turned tail and raced out the door.

"Talk, Detective. Time is of the essence if we're going to find Ry."

Kane's eyes flashed open once again, narrowed in the bright light.

"She's missing? She isn't dead?"

"No one saw what happened. No one saw her leave the house. Everything she owned is still where she left it. The only item we believe is missing is a sheet. Your blood is all over the bathroom, yet there are drops leading to the rear exit door. We believe it's hers. Forensics are looking into it."

Suddenly Kane tried to sit up, ignoring the pain.

"Lie still!" Carla demanded.

The doctor came in and immediately inserted a syringe of fluid into the IV.

"Mr. Nanuq, if you don't stay still, you will start bleeding once again. We've already given you four bags of blood to keep you alive. Now, as your friend suggested, lie still. I've given you a sedative, so you should start getting drowsy. I suppose this isn't a good time to tell you about the surgery. You rest, and we'll try again when you wake up."

"I don't have time for a nap. My partner is missing! You shouldn't...have...done..."

Kane's eyes closed, and his head dropped back on the pillow.

"Doctor, how long before he can be released from the hospital?" Carla asked.

"Are you a relative?"

Sighing, Carla pulled out her badge again. "It's imperative we get information from him. His partner has been abducted by a killer. We don't even know if she's alive, but he has enough details to help us get a good start."

"Well, Detective, I'd say two solid weeks of bed rest, depending on how he behaves, then, after that, it should take him a month or more of rehabilitation. His wound is serious. That knife sliced so close to his heart that a mere hairsbreadth in the wrong direction, and he'd have died on the spot."

"How long will the sedative keep him asleep?" Carla did her best to hide her anger from the doctor. She'd arrived in the nick of time to rescue him.

"He should be down for four hours. After that, if his behavior doesn't change, I'll have to sedate him again. Please, make sure your colleagues don't allow him to get upset. If the news is bad about his partner, keep it to yourselves for a few days."

"Yes, sir," Carla said, nodding as the doctor turned and left her. She picked up the phone and called the chief to fill him in. They had to find Ry on their own.

***

Drip, drip, drip... The sound pounded, echoing in her skull. Ry found she lay on a warm mattress, but shivered in the chilly air. Biting back a groan, she attempted to move, but pain roared through her head. She tried to touch the tender bump on the back of her skull, but couldn't move her arms. She heard metal rattling, and assumed that her wrists and feet were attached to chains.

Squinting her eyes open a crack, she saw only darkness. Nausea rolled through her stomach when she tried to move her head.

"Ohhhh..." she groaned, unable to help herself. The sound echoed off the walls in an eerie tone.

The light suddenly turned on above her. The old yellowed bulb didn't illuminate brightly, but she could see that she lay on a mattress in a white concrete room with no windows. It hurt like hell to move her eyes, but she took a quick peek around her to get her bearings. The bed had seen better days, the metal rusted with little paint remaining. Over in a corner sat a bathtub, also an antique. The dripping sound came from the tap. The door contained the only window in the room, covered with wood from the other side.

With a great deal of squeaking, it slowly opened to reveal her captor. He was dressed the same as he'd been in her bathroom. She figured he stood at least six feet tall, nearly two hundred pounds. He carried a tray with him.

"It's about time you woke up. I've been waiting for five hours to talk to you," he said quietly.

"What happened to Kane?"

"Dead. He didn't deserve you," the man whispered, a smug smile on his lips.

"Dead? Are you sure?" she asked, agony tearing through her heart. She kept her expression neutral so that the killer wouldn't get any idea of how close the couple had become.

"Yes, I stabbed him and hit him over the head. He died quickly."

Once again nausea rolled through her stomach. He must have noticed the change in her pallor because he put the tray down and brought over the wastebasket. She had enough room in the chains for her to roll to her side as she vomited over and over again.

"There, that should get some of the demons out of you. You're a lucky woman. No one else has made it this far in being cleansed."

"What do you mean?" she asked, dropping her aching head back on the pillow.

"All the others have failed my master. You are the first who will be cleansed completely. You are the chosen one." Smiling, he brushed her hair back from her face and then removed the offending wastebasket. He poured the vomit into the toilet and rinsed the container, washing his hands carefully in the sink afterwards.

Picking up the tray, he moved over to her side. First he cleaned the gash on the back of her head then washed her face.

Ry expected him to do something worse to her, but he simply grinned.

"I've brought you something to eat, my dove. Open your mouth."

Seeing him holding a spoonful of some type of gruel, she shook her head.

"I...I can't eat right now. I'm still sick." She imagined the food would be drugged to keep her tame.

He frowned.

"You will eat it!" His voice pounded in her head as it echoed around them.

"No, I won't."

"You will, one way or another," he murmured. Holding her nose, he waited for her mouth to open, and then shoved a spoonful in, covering her mouth and nose until she swallowed.

"Stop! Stop it!" she cried when he released her.

Leaning in close, he whispered, "The only way to purify you is to cleanse you from the inside out. Now, open your mouth."

Again she tried to fight him, but he won, as he did the next dozen times until she finished eating the gruel. Ry lay back and moaned as the drugs began to take effect, floating on thin air.

"Nooo..." she moaned.

"Sleep well, my dove. We'll see how you are tomorrow when we bathe the filth from you."

Ry barely heard him as she drifted off into the bliss of night.
Chapter 7

The next day her captor came into the room, releasing an angry growl.

"You didn't tell me you're a cop!"

"You didn't ask me," she murmured, focusing on the wall. She was familiar with every inch of it now. Ry knew he would drug her again—that is, if he didn't kill her because she hadn't given him the information he wanted. She figured he'd heard about her on the news.

He surprised her by chuckling.

"That makes it even better. Cops have good hearts. They're warriors. You're a good person, Samantha."

"My name is Ryland, not Samantha."

"We've decided you are Samantha, so that's who you will be."

Turning her head to face him, she asked, "When do I get to meet your master?"

"Oh, my dove, you must be cleansed first. Your purity is the most important quality he requires. Come now, it's time for your bath."

"I had a bath last night. I'm not having another one."

"I see it's time to increase your medication."

"No!" she shouted.

Laughing, he said, "It's the bath or the drugs. You choose."

She recalled the sensation of oblivion from the drugs that left her helpless and unprotected. He'd be watching her scrub every inch of herself in the candlelight, and that gave her the creeps. She knew she couldn't fight him with the drugs in her system, but perhaps she could take him off-guard if she took the bath option. At least they'd take off the chains so she could bathe. Ry decided to play meek and give herself an edge.

Sighing, she whispered, "I'll take the bath."

Grinning, the man walked over and started the water. The constant dripping of the tap had begun to drive her crazy, but she didn't complain to him. Once he'd filled the bath, lighting all the candles, he came for her. She lay there quietly while he removed her chains and let him help her stand up. Pretending to be woozy from the drugs, she held onto his arm as he walked her toward the tub. When he began to help her in, she took him down with a kick to the back of his knees. As soon as he started dropping, she raced for the door, yanking it open.

It didn't surprise her to find another masked man on the other side with a gun. Unfortunately he stood too far away to disarm. Without a word, he waved at her to shut the door. Naked, with no weapons of her own besides her martial arts and her wits, she admitted defeat...for now. Closing the big door, she turned to face him, expecting him to be furious with her. Instead, he began laughing.

"Now, choose once again, without the tricks. The bath or the drugs?"

Without a word, she walked to the bathtub and climbed in. Picking up the soap and sponge, she began cleaning herself head-to-toe. She even let him rinse her hair. When she'd finished, she toweled it dry. He picked up a brush to tame her wavy locks. Once he'd finished, she glanced at the bed with distaste.

"I can bring him in here to help with the chains, but he'd enjoy that...a lot. He's not as patient as I am."

Gritting her teeth, she climbed on the bed and lay down in the position. Once he'd clicked the chains in place, her captor brought a tray over.

Ry's eyes widened as she shook her head. "I did what you said: the bath or the drugs. I did the bath thing!"

"Ah, but that was before you misbehaved. You get the drugs as punishment now."

"No, I'll choke to death first!"

Laughing, the man picked up a spoonful of gruel...

***

"If you try to drug me one more time, I'll kill you!" Kane snarled as the doctor entered the room.

Rolling his eyes, the doctor said, "As if I haven't heard that one before. Now, Mr. Nanuq, you've only been here for a week. I'd recommend you to stay one more to be sure. The wound was deep, and it takes time for the stitches to heal."

"Listen, if I had all the time in the world, I'd consider staying, but I have to find my missing partner, she—"

"I highly suggest that you remain here."

Pursing his lips together, Kane took a few deep breaths.

"Okay, let me rephrase that. I will be sitting on my ass, while my colleagues do all the work. I'll only be using my brain while I recuperate."

"It's your body, Detective. It's up to you to keep it in one piece."

"Then you'll let me out?" Kane asked hopefully.

"Yeah, but I have to watch you like a hawk. Chief's orders." The voice came from the doorway.

"O'Roark!"

"Resident nurse for a certain Nanuq," O'Roark corrected, a grin on his face.

The doctor cleared his throat. "These are your release papers. They expressly say that I do not think that it's in your best interest to leave the hospital with a partially healed stab wound and a concussion."

"Gotcha," Nanuq said, grabbing the papers and sitting up. The room started spinning, but he did his best to ignore it and swung his legs over the side of the bed. The doctor shook his head and left the room.

"Any word yet?" Nanuq began dressing.

"No. It's as though she disappeared off the face of the planet. On the bright side though, the...ah...deceased Jane Does found over the past week don't match her description."

Kane stopped to stare up at his friend for a moment and then swallowed hard as he finished getting dressed.

***

For three weeks Kane, O'Roark, and Carla worked diligently, covering every potential lead as to where Ry might be, but they couldn't find a clue anywhere. Beside himself, Kane became relentless, seldom sleeping or eating. On the other hand, the killings had stopped as well as the Internet lures. That gave them hope that she may be alive still.

"Everything is so sketchy. We haven't got a solid piece of info anywhere," Carla grumbled.

"If you'd stay out of the donuts, Big H, maybe you could find some evidence other than icing sugar," O'Roark teased.

"Why, you..."

Kane remained lost in thought, his mind miles away.

"I have to go back to the source. This all started in Inuit. I have to go back there and start again," he murmured.

"You aren't going anywhere without us, partner," Carla protested.

Kane stared at them and shook his head. "I need you two to continue here. Backtrack, dig, do anything, but find her. I have a gut feeling that she's not far from us. The clues on how to find her are in my hometown. I'll only be gone a week or two. Please find her. I'll do anything to get her back."

"Whoa, I wish you were my boyfriend," Carla mumbled.

"They're partners, goofball!" O'Roark joked, but when Kane frowned, he sobered up. "We'll find her, Nanuq. We promise."

Nodding, Kane left the office to go speak to the chief about a brief leave.

Carla held out her hand, a grin on her face.

"What? Oh...damn!" O'Roark handed over twenty dollars to cover the bet.

***

Over the next few weeks, Kane went home, hoping to find any clue that would help find Ry. She'd been gone for five weeks now. The Web Cleanser began his killing spree in Nunavut, and Kane had to leave no stone unturned to find out why the man was killing women.

Coming home was bittersweet because of memories of his family. Kane saw the remnants of his burnt-out house as he stopped in front of it and shivered. He'd been so lost in their deaths that he'd forgotten how to live. Now that he had Ry in his life, he feared that he could lose her as well to the same sick, twisted mind, unless he was able to find her.

A twinge of regret washed over him as he thought about his wife, who'd been so lonely for him that she'd died trying to find love. He still suffered from guilt that he hadn't loved her enough. He promised himself that if he had another chance to be a husband and father, he wouldn't screw it up. Not ever again.

If he lost Ry too... He didn't want to think about it. He refused to. Clenching his teeth, he started moving the truck again, heading to the office. A population of approximately thirty thousand people lived on Baffin Island, Kane's hometown. He'd worked at the law enforcement office in Iqaluit, but had lived on the outskirts, away from everyone else. He preferred solitude and privacy when he wasn't working.

He'd married his wife right after finishing his policing courses and had purchased a home for them. The children came along almost immediately afterward. In those days, Kane believed that he'd had the perfect life. He'd begun working harder without realizing the distance he'd put between himself and his family, more and more each day.

Massak never once complained to him, immersing herself in the internet, and talking to people all over the world. He'd had no idea that she used the internet to talk to men about sex. Shaking his head, he pulled his truck up to the snow-laden curb in front of the station. It had begun to get dark out at four-thirty in the afternoon. During the winter, night blanketed the land for nearly six months of the year.

Climbing out of his truck, he walked up the steps to the main door and entered the station. It appeared to be the same as always, neat, orderly, and quiet. The number of prisoners in his precinct seldom filled even a third of the cells in the station. He stood there studying the room as he always had upon entering and waited for his best friend, Harry, to notice him. It only took the man a few moments to realize that Kane stood there staring at him.

"Kane, it's great to see you again! Does this mean you're coming home?" he asked, shaking Kane's hand.

"No, my friend, I've come to gather some information on the Web Cleanser case I'm working on, and I need your help." Harry Benson hadn't changed a bit since high school. He tilted his head to the side slightly and waited for Kane to continue. His right eye remained half-closed as always, from an old wound he received when he'd arrested a drunk carrying a knife. Straight black hair circled his head, flowing down his shoulders in a silken curtain. He'd put on weight over the years, adding muscle to his large frame.

"I need to find out information on people moving away from this area shortly after the time when Massak was murdered. My focus is particularly on religious people."

"Kane, you know you're not supposed to be working on your family's case!"

"A woman...a cop, has been kidnapped by the same killer, and we can't find her. She's been missing for weeks. I...we want this guy out of commission. I seldom ask you for help, my friend, but I'm asking now. It's imperative that we find her before it's too late."

"All right, Kane. I'll help you, but if the crap hits the fan on this, I don't want to end up with it all over my face. Besides, you have to go through Kelly first, and you know how she is about you investigating the murders of your family."

"I won't even mention your name...until we find her alive and well, that is. I want you to get all the credit."

"I'd rather you did. Let's start digging up the info. Something tells me that with about ten thousand people to check out, it's going to take a long time."

"Point me in the right direction, Harry, and I'll do most of the work."

Harry laughed. "You always did do most of the work. That's why I miss you so much!"

Kane followed his friend into the back room. Soon he was lost in a pile of old files.

***

The same man as always came to make her bathe once a day. She'd given up fighting it, knowing that they'd bugged the room and hidden two cameras in the crown molding near the ceiling.

Ry didn't try to hide her body, but walked with her back stiff and her chin up. If the pervert who watched her on camera wanted her to fear him, he had a long wait coming. She spent her days since they'd stopped drugging her plotting her escape. The solid steel door had a small rectangular window at five feet high, too small to escape by, and it remained closed anyway.

They pumped fresh air into the room via a small air duct, not much wider than her hand. Whoever designed the prison had done a fine job. It seemed impenetrable. So she'd decided to cooperate to a degree until she found a way to escape.

Stepping into the tub without a word, she sank down and accepted the bar of soap from "Laughing Boy" as she'd nicknamed him, since he always laughed at her. She'd become thoroughly sick of him.

Ry began to scrub her chest when she noticed that he had an erection. She looked away almost immediately, but he obviously saw her expression and chuckled. Frowning, Ry decided to give him a little payback.

"Hey, sweetie, would you wash my back for me. I don't want to miss a spot. I need to be clean." Her adoring tone made him frown, but he took the soap and began scrubbing her back.

While he gently rubbed the soap on her, she asked, "Did you wash all the women you killed?"

The soap dropped into the water as he stood up straight.

"I never killed anyone. Well...except for your boyfriend, maybe. I am a cleanser."

She ignored his outraged glare. "Can you get the soap for me please?"

"You'd better get it yourself," he countered, becoming uncomfortable with their line of talk.

Sighing, she reached behind her and found the bar, lifting it up for him to hold. Lying back as she arched her spine, she murmured, "Please wash my leg. I find I'm rather tired today."

Slowly, she lifted her leg, arching her foot.

"I think you'd better do that yourself."

"Does your master know you get a hard-on whenever you bathe me?" she asked sweetly, loud enough for the microphones.

Standing up straight, he acted as though she'd struck him, shaking his head.

"No, I don't. I don't want you at all!"

"Oh, come on! Even you can't hide that hard package in front of you. You're so stiff, you're ready to pop open your zipper," she cried, laughing.

Taking the soap back, she began scrubbing her body slowly, making a show of washing her private areas. The confident captor disappeared, leaving in place a nervous man who glanced over his shoulder often, shaking his head at the camera.

The door suddenly opened, admitting two women who wore full-length homespun white dresses. They kept their hair swept back into buns and little naked skin showed on their bodies.

"Oh how nice, we have company! Hi, girls, I'm Ryland, what are your names?" she asked cockily.

The larger one, who Ry soon named Olga, motioned to the man to leave.

"Hey, where are you going? You haven't done my feet yet!" Ry shouted, biting back laughter.

The door slammed closed and Ry shrugged. Ignoring the women, she continued with her bath until Olga took her arm none-too-gently and pulled her up.

"Out!"

"Ouch!" Ry cried, pretending that it hurt her.

"Out of the bath." The woman yanked again.

"If you do that one more time, you're going to be sorry," Ry snarled, standing up.

"Move it," she yelled at Ry, yanking one more time. Before she could blink Ry had her lying on her back in the soapy water. Ry stood on the wood floor, drying her body calmly.

Mouse, the other woman Ry had nicknamed, stood back with her hands over her mouth in shock.

Once more the door opened, and in came "Laughing Boy" with a thunderous expression on his face, another man behind him. Ry didn't fight them when they walked her to the bed.

"Lie down," Laughing Boy ordered.

Ry gave him a saucy grin and lay down beneath the blanket with her arms and legs in position. Seconds later, they'd once again chained her down and then left the room, closing the door tightly behind them. Ry heard the bolt lock slide into place.

Suddenly, loud chanting began to echo through the room. The chains had been pulled far enough away from her head this time that she couldn't shut her ears. The words washed over her mind, telling her to be pure, kind, sweet, and, worst of all, calling her Samantha, and telling her she would obey. After about two minutes of the noise, she finally screamed.

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut the hell up!"

But on the chanting droned as it filled the room with echoes until her throat became hoarse from screaming at her captors, then she began her own chanting. She rhymed the ABCs, "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star," and every nursery rhyme she could think of until she had no voice left, and the chanting won the battle. Ry couldn't ignore it. On and on the chanting pounded into her head. She finally passed out from exhaustion, not even realizing that the words still reverberated through her mind.

***

The Toronto precinct was as busy as usual, but Carla and O'Roark ignored it, oblivious to the noise as they focused on the job. He worked on the internet files from Inuit to Toronto, expanding the area into other provinces. Kane had been gone nearly two weeks and was expected back any day. The partners wanted desperately to give him some good news when he walked in, but a dark gloom had fallen over everyone in the station, the chief especially. Fellow cops had taken to wearing bright orange ribbons in support of Ry. Everyone held their breath, praying for word of her.

When Kane finally walked through the front door, hardly anyone could meet his gaze. He'd changed. Once a calm, silent man, he now had a haggard appearance, his eyes haunted, and his body tense, and edgy. He had lost his patience too, snapping at people who got in his way as he walked across the room to their office, his and Ry's.

Opening the door, he saw Carla sitting at Ry's desk and nearly blew up at her for daring to use her things. He'd barely slept since the night she'd been taken, and it showed in the dark hollows beneath his eyes.

"Any news?" he asked in a husky voice.

O'Roark's eyes widened when Kane walked in.

"No, Nanuq, nothing at all. I'm sorry."

Sighing, Kane closed his eyes before taking a deep breath, and moving over to the spare desk. When he passed the coffee station and saw Ry's cup sitting there, he clenched his fists.

"We have work to do. I have a list of every person who left Nunavut from the day of the first murder until the abduction of Sanders. We're going to track down each and every person, especially the ones with religious interests. I emailed you the lists this morning. Have you checked them out?"

Carla cleared her throat. "We, ah...didn't know what you wanted done with them, Nanuq. You didn't give us any instructions."

"Argh!" Kane groaned. Dropping his head into his hands, he focused on breathing for a few minutes. When he finally lifted his gaze, he'd gathered more control.

"I'm sorry. It's my fault. I can't seem to keep my thoughts clear anymore. Let's go over it, then."

Placing his hand on Kane's shoulder, O'Roark said, "Listen, Nanuq, you need some sleep, and something to eat. Why don't you come over to my place and take the night off?"

Kane reared back, pushing O'Roark's hand away. "No! We have to find her!" he shouted.

Instead of being angry, O'Roark stood there with his mouth open, stunned at the change in the once-controlled man. When the door opened and the chief walked in, O'Roark and Carla breathed a sigh of relief.

"What's going on in here?" the chief asked.

"We're just working on the case, sir," Carla said quietly.

Studying Kane for a moment, the man nodded. "Come to my office, Nanuq."

Before Kane could protest, the chief left and he had no choice but to follow.

***

Sitting on the edge of the chair, Kane faced his boss. Chief Irving didn't seem much better off than Kane did now.

"We've obviously had no word here. Did you find anything up in Inuit?"

Kane rubbed his eyes before answering. "I have a list of fifty-six people who've left the Nunavut area since the murder of Massak Amaruq and the two children." He kept his relationship to the family secret. "Out of those, nineteen moved to southern Ontario. Six of them have religious backgrounds, one being a priest and the other a minister. I plan on checking out the two churches first."

"And so you will but, like O'Roark suggested, you will get some food into you and have a good night's sleep. That's an order!" the chief said firmly, not giving Kane an opportunity to argue with him.

"Yes, sir," Kane said briskly. "Am I dismissed?"

Taking a deep breath, he nodded. Kane left in a hurry, slamming the door behind him.

***

Groaning as Olga and Mouse released her from her chains, Ry rolled over to the edge of the bed and practically fell to the floor. It had been three weeks of solid chanting. The volume always remained the same, as well as the words. Numb, Ry crawled to the toilet in the plain white cotton gown she'd been forced to wear each day. She barely made it there before she began vomiting.

Olga flushed the toilet and the two women lifted Ry up by her arms, helping her as she staggered to the bathtub. Letting her kneel as they removed the gown, they lifted her again and helped her climb into the tub. Ry had been ill for the past week now. She figured eating the gruel mixed with drugs made her sick. They'd forced her to take them during the early days of her captivity, but that had stopped the day they'd begun the chanting.

Neither woman talked to her while she quickly scrubbed her body clean and washed her hair. Once she'd finished, Mouse pulled the plug and the two women assisted her to her feet so they could dry her off. For three weeks they'd been dressing her in a gown, but today they started walking her back to the bed naked.

"Wait...what about my dress?" Ry murmured to Olga.

"You are to wear nothing today. A doctor is coming to examine you. Now, get into bed."

"I don't need a doctor. You people are poisoning me, that's why I'm sick!" Ry protested.

"No arguments, Samantha. You will obey. You know what will happen if you cause any trouble."

Groaning, Ry crawled into bed, too tired to fight them. They'd succeeded in taking her will away from her. When they didn't chain her up, but hid the restraints, she stared up at Olga in confusion. The chanting suddenly ceased, leaving a chilled silence in the room. Still, Ry's ears rang from the sounds that no longer echoed in the room, the words of the chant washing through her mind over and over again. She closed her eyes and tried to go back to sleep, but Mouse shook her awake.

"You cannot sleep yet."

A few moments later the door opened, creaking as loud as an explosion in the still room. Three men in masks came in, and one man who carried a doctor's bag. His face uncovered, he appeared to be a grim man. Stunned since she'd not seen a man's face except for Laughing Boy in the many weeks she'd been prisoner, she memorized their eyes and lips, the only skin visible.

Without a word, the doctor put on his stethoscope, and began listening to her heart beating.

"Help me!" Ry whispered. The man kept listening to her chest. "I've been kidnapped. Help me get out of here," she urged him. One of the dark men stepped forward, ready to stop any trouble from her.

Her eyes flew to meet his, and she saw a warning in them. She turned back to the doctor, frantic. "Please!" she cried.

When the captor stepped closer, the doctor put up his hand to stop him.

"I'm only here to check you over because you are ill. Any protest you give me will be ignored. Do you understand?" he asked in a cold tone.

Hope died. She dropped her head back on the pillow and bit her trembling lip to keep them from seeing how upset the process made her.

"I asked you if you understand," he repeated. Cold blue eyes stared into hers as he waited for her answer.

She finally nodded.

"Answer me out loud," he urged.

"Yes!" she shouted then stared at the wall above him.

"Good. Now, I'm going to give you a full physical. You will remain calm and not move. Do you understand?"

"Go to hell," she cried.

"Have it your way."

"It'll be the first time since these bastards kidnapped me!" she snarled. Nausea rolled in her stomach, making her gasp.

The doctor began checking her eyes, ears, mouth, tongue, around her jaw, her neck, and so on, moving down her body. He checked her breasts, which had been tender lately, with an impersonal touch. Pressing down on her abdomen, he frowned, and then continued. When he moved his hand between her legs, she screamed, "No!" and started fighting to get away.

The captors each took a limb, and one held her head down as she fought with all her might. When she finally had no fight left in her, they stayed in place, restraining her, and the doctor continued, pressing down on her abdomen. Finally, he let her go, and nodded at the others.

They kept her still for a moment, and then released her. Ry rolled onto her side and fought tears. She refused to let them beat her, no matter what.

"You will provide a urine sample for me, and I'll be taking some blood."

Ignoring him, she remained in her fetal-like position.

"Samantha, if you do not obey the doctor, we will lift you to the toilet and hold you there until you pee into a cup. Is that understood?" Laughing Boy warned.

Gritting her teeth, she rolled to her side and tried to stand up, clutching the sheet to her body. Her knees buckled and she fell to the floor. Laughing Boy and another man lifted her up and dragged her to the toilet, sitting her down. Olga handed her a urine sample cup. Snatching it from the woman, Ry held it below, and filled the cup. She made it slosh on the woman's hand when she handed it back and then shoved one of the men out of the way so she could get to the sink and wash her own hands.

When she finished, they dragged her back to the bed and left her alone for a few minutes. The doctor had a syringe in his hand. She backed up to the far edge of the mattress, shaking her head at him.

"You know we'll just hold you down again. Why do you bother to fight us?" Laughing Boy asked, perplexed.

"You kidnapped me. I'll give you nothing. Not one inch!" she cried.

Rolling his eyes, he motioned to the others, and they fought her until they had her in position. The doctor took the blood just in time before she threw up all over the bed, catching one of the men on his hand. They released her and stepped back. Ry moaned as she lay on the bed, exhausted.

"She's a tough one," Laughing Boy said to the doctor quietly.

Olga motioned to Mouse, who raced over to run another bath. Speaking quietly, she asked one of the men to go and get clean sheets and a new pillow. He left to do her bidding. Moments later, Laughing Boy carefully lowered Ry into the water and stepped back to allow Olga to wash her once again.

With the bed made and Ry dried off, they dressed her in a new white gown. Laughing Boy placed her onto the clean sheets and left her.

The doctor tested the urine and nodded.

"She's pregnant."

Ry's eyes flew open. "What?" she cried.

"He will want it verified by the blood test. Then he will decide if she will be allowed to deliver the demon child," Laughing Boy said quietly.

"Over my dead body are you taking my baby!" Ry cried, and tried to get up. The chains clinked as they fastened on her wrists and ankles. She fought them, shouting and swearing as she once again lost the battle. Even chained, she shrieked, and struggled against her bonds.

The doctor shook his head.

"I'll give her a mild sedative. She might hurt herself if she carries on this way."

"No! No drugs to hurt my child, do you hear me? I won't allow it!" she yelled.

"It won't hurt the child, I promise you," the doctor shouted over her voice. When once again they held her, she continued to shriek. The needle sank into her tender skin and a few moments later she fell asleep, her breathing still rapid.
Chapter 8

Kane, O'Roark, and Carla split up the list and interviewed each person they could track down. Kane kept the priest and the minister for himself. He arrived at the church of the minister, Reverend Cattelli, first. After knocking on the heavy wooden door and providing his police ID, the housekeeper showed him into the priest's study.

"Come in, Detective Nanuq, come in, please." The minister appeared to be in his late sixties and walked with a heavy limp. Kane wanted to exclude him instantly, but had to follow through on each and every lead.

"Thank you, Reverend Cattelli. I have some questions for you, if you wouldn't mind answering them." Kane sat as directed by the man.

"I'd be happy to help you in any way I can. Would you like a coffee or tea before we get started? he asked.

"No thank you, sir. I have questions about your leaving Nunavut recently. Can you tell me why you did?"

"Yes, I can. I've been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and found the bitter cold difficult to deal with. I will be moving to Florida once I've finished my term here this year."

"Did you ever meet a woman by the name of Massak Amaruq when you lived there?" Watching the man's eyes carefully, Kane fully expected the truth from him, and wasn't disappointed, since there were no telltale twitches or other such "tells" that would indicate the man lied.

"No, I never met her personally, but I did hear about her and those poor children. I believe the husband is a police officer, is he not?" he asked.

"Yes, he is. I think I've asked you enough questions, sir. May I check out the church before I go?" Kane asked.

"Certainly. My handyman should be able to show you anything you require."

"Handyman? Did he come with you from Nunavut?" He'd not thought about the others moving with the minister. The handyman could be the guilty party.

"Yes. He's a native who worked for me up there for a few years. He's such a sweet man. Give me a moment and I'll have Hilda call him over. He lives in the garden house behind us."

"Thank you." Kane sat in the chair doing his best not to fidget. As ordered, he'd eaten a meal and slept the night away before taking up the investigation once again. Although he didn't seem a whole lot better, he was functioning well enough.

At a knock on the door, the minister called, "Come in, Nikka."

Once the door opened, Kane decided that this was also the wrong man. Nikka appeared to be physically challenged, his shoulders hunched over so much that he couldn't possibly stand up straight.

"Would you show the detective around, please, Nikka?" the minister said. He held out his hand and Kane accepted it graciously, shaking gently to prevent hurting the man's swollen fingers. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Detective. I hope you find whoever you are searching for. May God give you the peace you seek."

"I appreciate your assistance, sir. I'll be quick." Kane followed the Inuit man out of the room, and gently closed the door behind him. He only took a sparing glance at the place before thanking Nikka and leaving.

***

Lying on the bed staring up at the ceiling, Ry thought about Kane and the baby. The chanting had continued for six weeks now, so she barely noticed it. At least they had lowered the volume. Though it annoyed the hell out of her that they called her Samantha and kept telling her to obey, she'd decided when she found out about the child, that she'd play their game. None of her watchdogs had caught on that she faked her obedience. She'd become adept at guarding her expression.

She was still chained to the bed, but they'd left her ankle bracelets off and released the wrist chains enough that she had movement and could reach the toilet if she had to. They still forced her to bathe every day, but the men no longer watched her every move.

She was constantly thinking about how to escape; her thoughts were filled with frustration. She wanted to protect the baby and to be held safe in Kane's arms. Pain washed over her as she remembered he'd died. The blood that poured out of his wound haunted her. Laughing Boy had killed Kane, and all she could think of was revenge. Resting her hands on her still-flat stomach, she prayed that she'd find a way out of her prison before she became too large to fight or her captors decided to take the baby from her. The door opened, and in came Olga and Mouse for her bath time. The women had begun to let down their guard since she'd started being nicer to them, cooperating with whatever they demanded.

"Hello, ladies. Are the leaves starting to sprout outside?" she asked politely. She knew it was the beginning of May, nine weeks since they'd captured her.

Mouse nodded and then shot her gaze to Olga, expecting to be reprimanded, but the woman continued her work without saying a word, ignoring her companion as usual. Mouse hurried over to Ry's side to unlock the chains. Each day before she was locked up again, Mouse applied a soothing balm to her raw wrists. They'd begun to heal since Ry stopped fighting them.

"Samantha, come to your bath," Olga ordered.

"Yes, ma'am," she answered meekly, allowing Mouse to assist her since she still pretended she had little strength. She turned to thank the meek woman and noticed that one of her hairpins had come loose. Before Olga turned, around Ry smiled at the young woman and brushed back her hair, snatching the pin. Mouse appeared surprised at the friendly gesture, turning away quickly.

With the cameras always monitoring her, she had to figure out how to escape without them catching her. Since she had no way to disable them, she wondered how she could escape unnoticed. Slipping the pin into the side of her cheek, she stepped into the bath and quickly finished her ritual. Mouse dried and brushed her long hair for her and applied the salve before Olga motioned her back to the mattress to put the cuffs on.

Dropping her chin to her chest, Ry hurried back to the bed. Olga, pleased at her obedience, gently attached the cuffs. Without another word, the two women left her, closing the door quietly behind them. Ry heard the bolt slip into place. That only left the men, and she needed to figure out how to get out of the building without getting caught.

Coughing, she removed the pin from her mouth and rolled toward the wall, hiding it in a small crack. She acted as though exhausted, yawning, then closing her eyes, but she lay there thinking about Kane and the baby.

***

Knocking on the massive wooden door, Kane waited for someone to answer. His gut instinct told him that he was getting closer to her. He imagined her scent, her laughing eyes, and her gorgeous chestnut hair as it flowed through his fingers. He wanted to see her eyes flare with anger at him and kiss her madly before she slammed another door in his face. Lost in his thoughts, he started when the door quickly opened.

"Yes sir, how can I help you?" a young man dressed in black asked.

"I'm Detective Nanuq," he said, showing his badge. "I want to speak to the priest."

The man appeared nervous all of a sudden. "Will you please wait here while I see if he's available?"

Nodding, Kane's heart raced when the door banged closed in his face. Something about the place set off alarm bells in his head. A few minutes later the same young man came back. His hand shaking slightly, he said, "I'm sorry, but our priest is unavailable at this time. Perhaps he can contact you?"

"Sure. Here's my card with my cell phone number on it. I'm available twenty-four hours a day."

"Thank you."

The door quickly closed with a loud thump, and Kane had his first solid lead. With a spring in his step, he walked back to his car, and drove off, circling the block before parking near enough that he could watch the church. Picking up his cell phone, he called the chief.

"Nanuq here," he said, with more enthusiasm than he'd had in months.

"What do you have?" he asked.

"I think I may have located her. I'm at St. Decoveny's parish. I 'm sure that they have something to do with Ry's disappearance."

"Do you have anything concrete?"

"Not yet. I'm staked out. I'll keep you informed. Can you let O'Roark and Hamilton know?"

"It would be my pleasure," the chief said cheerfully. "Good luck, Nanuq. Happy hunting!" Sounding relieved, he disconnected the call.

Kane became optimistic for the first time in weeks. His gut burned with determination. Sure that something would blow up in the priest's face, Kane prepared to sneak into the church and give the cult members something to fear, and that would be the wrath of Kane! Thunder rolled across the sky as a spring storm approached at twilight. He wondered how close he could get to the windows without getting caught. No matter what, he planned on holding Ry in his arms soon.

***

Hearing a dull rumble, Ry started as she came out of a heavy sleep. Remembering to remain still, she glanced over at the crack in the wall and prayed for a miracle. Ry could hear the guard speaking to someone in the hallway and strained to hear them over the faint chanting. She found it a hopeless endeavor. When she stood up and walked over to use the toilet, she did a fake stumble, always on duty.

After flushing, she washed her hands, and made her way slowly back to the bed, dropping heavily onto it then rolling back into position facing the crack. She listened carefully and heard a crack of thunder.

"Come on, come on, Mama needs a power failure," she whispered under her breath. As though given a gift from above, the lights flickered. Reaching over, she grabbed the hairpin and held her breath. "One more big one, please!"

A few minutes later, the lights went out, which meant there'd be no power for the cameras. Quickly, she inserted the pin into the cuff lock. In training to be a cop, Ry took the course on picking locks. Since she knew how, she quickly slipped out of the cuffs in seconds and raced to the door. Placing her back to the wall on the opposite side of the door, she screamed. As she'd hoped, the guard opened the door and stepped in, carrying a flashlight in his hand.

With a few quick moves, she had him down on the floor unconscious. He was a small man, so she had no problem dragging him over to the bed and undressing him. Dumping his body on the mattress, she quickly locked him up, gagged him with his shirt, and then covered him with a sheet that hid most of his hair. She dragged on his clothing, covered her face with the mask, and then picked up his gun and flashlight, slipping out the door. Locking it tightly, she tried to decide which way to run.

Lightning flashed, showing her a large stained glass window, and she ran to the stairs in silence, making her way toward the light. She nearly ran into Olga as the woman made her way down the stairs.

"Oh!" the woman gasped, startled. "I'm trying to get downstairs to see if Samantha is okay."

"Here, take my flashlight. I've got to run." Ry disguised her voice and handed it to the woman. More power to you, you old hag.

"Thank you."

Once the woman moved on, Ry raced up the stairs, her heart pounding. Since she had the mask on and stood fairly tall, she had passed for one of the guards. Now she wanted to get the hell out of there. She realized she'd been captive in a church.

"Where there is lightning, there is an exit," she murmured. She made it to the main floor and stopped dead in her tracks. Four guards stood between her and freedom.

***

Olga carefully made her way down the stairs with the flashlight. When she arrived at the door, she shook her head.

"That guard is always running off somewhere. It's a wonder she hasn't escaped by now."

Opening the door, she peeked in at her charge, noting that the poor thing remained sound asleep, and covered head to toe with blankets. Olga had a lot of sympathy for the woman. She'd been taken against her will, and there would be no escape for her. The cult leader wanted her to be cleansed. It would only be a matter of time before they wouldn't have to restrain her. She couldn't fight the hypnotizing forever.

She did admire the woman's stamina. Though weak and frail, she'd put up a good fight. Ever since she'd stopped being mouthy and rude to her captors, she'd won most of their hearts. The problem was that the Master wanted her kept under tight rein, and no one would dare defy him.

After closing the door and relocking it, she made her way back to the kitchen.

***

Hiding beside a large cedar tree, Kane melted into the dark, standing in the cold rain without complaint. He watched as the lights in the whole area blacked out and grimaced. Now he could investigate closer but, before he could move, two guards began combing the grounds with flashlights. When a loud crack of thunder sounded as lightning lit up the sky, Kane remained still, hidden well enough to remain unnoticed. Waiting patiently, he watched his prey approach.

His gut instinct said that she'd been kept at the old church. More lightning cracked, flashing for a few precious seconds. He kept low, preparing to attack when he had the chance. With the bars on the basement windows, he couldn't get inside. He imagined that a number of guards would be watching the front door as well. The most logical way in would be the back door, but making his way there proved to be difficult with the guards patrolling the yards.

The cemetery adjacent to the rear of the building would be the only cover he have. He'd remembered to bring his lock picking tools, ready to storm the place if necessary. He couldn't call for backup because he had no proof, but no matter what, he'd fight to the death to find her. He prayed that she hadn't been harmed. The next flash crackled above him, the storm right on top of them. Rain pelted down, soaking him to the skin. With patience, he waited for the right time to attack.

***

"Come here, you!" Laughing Boy's voice echoed down the hall.

Without hesitation, Ry walked forward, ready to attack if necessary. Two of the men raced outside with flashlights, closing the large door with a loud bang.

"You! I want you out there with them. A detective has been nosing around, and I want him stopped if he's still here. Now go!" he yelled over the loud thunder.

Nodding, Ry passed by him, her heart pounding in her ears.

"Wait a minute!" he shouted.

Ry froze, gritting her teeth as she turned to face him, hands ready for a fight.

"You forgot to take a flashlight. You can have mine." Laughing Boy handed her the light, then turned and raced off into the dark.

Nearly faint with relief, Ry opened the door and moved out into the pouring rain, throwing the flashlight on the ground. Dizzy and weak all of a sudden, she gasped and dropped to her knees beside a large cedar tree. The gun fell to the ground beside her as her head spun.

"Don't make a sound or I'll pull the trigger," a harsh voice hissed at her.

Sucking in a quick breath, she waited for the end. Lightning flashed, and she saw the two guards lying on the ground. Kicking out her foot, she tried to drop the man behind her, but he fell forward with a grunt, landing on her back, and pinning her to the ground.

"Don't move!" he said.

One of the men groaned, distracting him. In a flash she was out from under him and running for the main gate. Seconds later, she lay on her back staring up at a large fist as he prepared to knock her out.

"Stop!" she cried, fearing for the child.

"Ry?" he cried, dropping his arm.

"Kane?"

"Thank God you're all right," he nearly shouted. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her into the bushes, letting her go long enough so that she could squat down with him. Cupping her cheeks, he squinted while he tried to see her eyes and searched for signs of abuse.

"Get me the hell out of here, please!" she whispered, shocked to see that he lived, when all this time she'd thought him dead.

Peeking around the bush, he saw one of the guards get to his feet.

"We're going to run right after the next lightning flash. Are you good with that?"

"You bet I am," she panted. Rain poured over them, cool and fresh. She nearly cried out for joy that he'd come to rescue her.

Boom! Thunder cracked so loud that she covered her ears. Then the lightning flashed twice.

"Let's go!" he whispered harshly and pulled her up, holding onto her hand tightly.

When she stumbled, he lifted her, carrying her as they raced toward the gate. Since they had both dressed in black, the guards didn't see them until the next flash, and by then they'd made it to the other side of the gate. One of the men shouted and shot at them. Ry gasped. Kane swore and ran faster, using his body to protect her. Moments later, he opened the door of the car and practically threw her inside.

Glancing back, she saw the guard running through the gate. Kane leaped over the hood of the car and jumped inside, starting it and slamming his foot on the gas at the same time. One loud blast echoed behind them and the rear window smashed. Kane sped around the corner, fishtailing the car, but gaining control and making a quick getaway.

***

Kane turned his head to check on Ry. She'd slouched down on the seat. The sky lit up and he saw blood dripping down her shoulder.

"Oh, my God! You've been hit!" Terror tore through his belly when she didn't answer or move. He grabbed his cell phone and hit the speed dial.

"O'Roark, I have her and we're on the way to the hospital. She's been shot. Get over there fast. I'm going to need backup, and send the whole damned force over to that bloody church. From the looks of it she's been there the whole time!"

Without giving O'Roark a chance to reply, he threw the phone down and drove like a madman, speeding through red lights and stop signs. "Don't die on me now that I've found you again, Sanders. You hear me?" he cried, fighting the fear that gripped him.

***

Pain raced up her arm as Ry started coming around. She thought there'd been an earthquake since the bed beneath her shook and people began shouting. Opening her eyes, she saw Kane's terror-filled gaze.

"What's going on?" she asked, wincing.

"Stop! Stop the gurney!" he shouted.

His eyes full of fear, he stared down at her. She cupped his cheek with one hand. She'd never seen a more wonderful sight.

"You've been shot. They are taking you into surgery."

Her arm dropped to give her leverage to sit up.

"The hell they are! No freakin' way!" she shouted, and struggled to get up.

Kane started laughing. "You're the same gal I fell in love with."

"What?" Ry whispered, shocked.

"Lie back, miss, you've lost a lot of blood." The orderly gently tried to lower her to the pillow, but she swung at him with her good arm.

"Get the hell off me! I want to know if my baby is okay."

***

His jaw dropping, Kane's eyes moved to her belly. Anger filled him as the thought of her abuse hit him.

"Get her the hell into surgery, and somebody had better check her baby out," he shouted. "Lie down, and let them help you!" Turning away, he walked off down the hall.

Tears filled her eyes. Obeying, she let them do whatever they wanted to do to her. Kane had rejected the child. Her heart broke in that moment. With her good hand, she cradled her belly, more alone and vulnerable than she had ever felt in her whole lifetime.

***

Groggy, Ry slowly opened her eyes to see a different ceiling full of lights. For a minute, she couldn't remember where she was, but then it all came rushing back. Her hand immediately splayed over her belly. She released a deep breath and then thought about the expression on Kane's face when she'd told him about the child. For the first time in her adult life, she started crying. Tears poured down her cheeks as she sobbed her heart out.

A nurse rushed over to her.

"My word, you came out of that anesthetic fast! Don't cry, sweetheart. Everything's all right now. You're in recovery, and you're safe. The doctor will come to see you in a few minutes. Just hang on, okay?" she said, patting Ry's arm.

Rolling onto her good side, Ry continued crying. A few minutes later, a lady doctor walked up and checked her pulse.

"I'm Doctor Bloome. You did remarkably well in surgery and we recovered the bullet. The baby is fine."

Ry stared at her for a few seconds and then cried all the harder.

"I'll have to sedate you if you don't calm down, Miss Sanders. Your blood pressure is a little high, and I'm concerned for the child."

Ry suddenly found her ire. "What the hell is it about everybody wanting to sedate me? I'll kill the next person who comes near me with drugs. Get the hell away from me," she shrieked.

An instant later Kane stood beside the doctor.

"Sanders, if you don't behave yourself, I'll turn you over my knee. Now be nice to the doctor. She saved your life."

"One stinkin' little bullet won't kill me," she yelled at him, and then the tears fell again.

After speaking quietly to the doctor, Kane stepped closer and the woman moved away.

With both thumbs, Kane wiped away the tears, sighing when they continued to trail down her cheeks.

"You're leaking. I've never seen you leak before," he teased softly.

"You're an idiot," she sobbed, but she'd finally found Kane and soon stopped crying.

"I tried hard to find you. I'm sorry I couldn't stop him that night."

"He told me you were dead!" she said woefully.

"A tiny little knife can't kill me. Neither can a little bump on the head."

"You don't want it!" she sobbed.

"Don't want what?" he asked, perplexed.

"Our baby!" she squealed.

"Our...you're sure it's ours?" Kane's eyes widened with joy at her nod. "But I thought that they'd, that he'd..."

"No one raped me. No one hurt me except to force me to bathe every day," she said, sniffing.

Leaning over, he kissed her tenderly. When she pulled him closer to claim his lips, she became lost in him, forgetting the pain in her shoulder. A loud clearing of a throat pulled her out of it.

Kane's face flushed. "Oh, sorry, Doc. I...ah...she..."

The doctor grinned. "I'm pleased you found a way to calm her down without drugs."

"So am I," Ry laughed. Then she sobered, "I'm sorry about being rude to you, Doctor. I have a problem with my manners. Thank you for saving my life."

Smiling, the woman patted Ry's arm.

"You obey the nurses, and we'll get you home soon."

The word obey echoed through her mind, causing her to lose her focus on what the doctor said.

"...a complete check-up and a full spectrum of bloodwork to see if we can figure out what kind of drugs they used on you. Other than that, you're going to be fine. Do you have any questions?"

About to shake her head, Ry noticed another doctor enter the room and froze.

Grabbing Kane's arm, she whispered, "That's him. That's the doctor who came to the church to give me a physical. Stop him, Kane...arrest his ass!"

He swung around to see who she was talking about. A man in a green hospital gown spoke to the patient next to them. When the man glanced at her, he paled and began to back away.

Before Ry could blink, Kane had him in cuffs and began reading him his rights.

"You, sir, have a lot of explaining to do." Holding the man with one hand, Kane pulled out his cell phone and called O'Roark, who'd stopped to talk to the nurses at their station. A few seconds later, he took the man into custody.

O'Roark grinned. "It's sure been dull around the station without you, Sanders. Nobody's placed a bet in weeks." Winking, he led the man out of the room to take him down for booking.

Ry lay back on the pillow, her hands shaking in reaction. When her eyelids began to get heavy, she clutched Kane's hand. "Don't leave me, snowball. I don't want any more drugs. I...trust you to keep me safe. Promise me you won't leave me here?"

He leaned over and kissed her gently. "I'll never leave your side again."

At that, her eyes closed and she slept deeply for the first time in many weeks.
Chapter 9

One week later, Ry left the hospital to the relief of staff and patients alike. She'd begun ordering people around, used to being in authority, although when Kane visited, she became putty in his hands.

"I don't need a stupid wheelchair!" she argued when the nurse arrived to take her to the front door.

"You will do as you're told. It's hospital policy, now get in the chair, and let's go. Or would you prefer to stay here a few more days?" Kane asked, with his hands on his hips as he stared her down.

Frustrated, but wanting to get out of the hospital with a vengeance, Ry sat down in the wheelchair, put her feet in the braces, and crossed her arms, ignoring him all the way to the front door.

In the car as they drove away, Ry breathed a sigh of relief. Kane chuckled.

"What's so funny?" she asked.

"I thought that I was a bad patient. You beat me by a mile!"

With a reluctant grin on her face, she asked, "Are we going to the precinct?"

"You don't miss a thing, do you, detective? Yes, we have to stop by there for a minute. We won't be long, then I'll get you home and into bed."

"Why Detective Nanuq, you dirty dog!" she teased. "And here I thought you were a gentleman."

"In bed to rest!" Grinning ear-to-ear, he winked at her.

"You party pooper!"

They pulled up in front of the station and parked right in front of the steps in a no-parking zone.

"Are you trying to get us in trouble, Nanuq?"

"We have good friends in high places." He came around to her door to help her out.

"You know, normally I'd never let anyone help me, but for you, I'm making an exception."

Kane kept her good arm tight in his strong hand, guiding her through the front door. He watched her every move. She still had dizzy spells and he mothered her to the point of suffocation. Her wounded arm cradled in a sling, she fought to hide the discomfort from him.

As Ry and Kane stood watching the action in the hall, he cleared his throat. Everyone suddenly stopped in their tracks. They all wore orange ribbons on their lapels. Before she could ask what was going on, they suddenly started clapping for her. They continued the welcome for a good five minutes before the heat in her cheeks began to cool. Fighting a smile, Ry snapped, "Don't you people have anything else to do?"

Laughter filled the room. O'Roark, Carla, and the chief walked up to her.

Unsure whether to hug her or shake her hand, O'Roark opted to give her a gentle hug. He murmured, "Welcome home, Sanders. We missed you."

Carla hugged her too, until Ry began to get uncomfortable. When they separated, Carla had tears in her eyes. Ry bit her lip and swallowed a big lump in her throat. The two women didn't need to speak.

Next in line came the chief. "May I hug you, Detective Ryland Sanders?"

Surprised, she nodded slightly and allowed him to embrace her. Though brief, it made her want to cry.

One at a time her fellow cops came up and either hugged her or shook her good hand. Each of them gave her an orange ribbon. When they'd all handed them over, she stared at the chief. "What are these for?" she asked.

"They're a tribute to you. We all prayed hard every day that we'd see you again. We wore those to remind us of you."

Tears suddenly dampened her cheeks.

"I...I don't know what to say." Her voice turned husky as she fought back tears. "Thank you, everyone. I...um...thank you." Clearing her throat, she grumbled, "Now, get back to work, you lazy bums."

Every cop and even some of the criminals started laughing.

Carla walked up to her again. "I'm glad you're okay, Sanders."

"Kane, can I borrow forty bucks?" Ry asked, smiling at his curious gaze.

He handed it to her, silent, while she turned back to Carla.

"Here. I owe you."

Carla appeared to be puzzled for a moment, and then began laughing. She winked at Ry, whose cheeks were burning, and then stepped away.

"Congratulations," she murmured, only loud enough for Ry and Kane to hear.

His eyes full of questions, Kane caught her gaze, but Ry kept the secret between her and Carla.

Embarrassed, she turned to Kane, her eyes pleading with him to get her out.

The chief took over. "Come to my office, Sanders. I want to have a talk with you."

He took her arm gently and left Kane standing there. Craning her neck to see him, she panicked for a moment until he motioned that he would be waiting right there for her. She nodded then followed the chief.

***

Sitting across from her boss, Ry waited for him to settle himself before he spoke to her. His office hadn't changed a bit, but he had, with dark circles beneath his eyes, his skin a pasty white, and even his hair, usually neat and tidy, flowing in all directions. The chief couldn't hide his illness. She noticed that her file lay on his desk, and she was curious as to why.

"You look like hell, Chief!" she said, forcing a grin.

Shaking his head, a serious expression on his face, he picked up her file, turned to a page, and began reading.

"Sanders, Ryland, Detective. Kidnapped. Sanders disappeared for nine weeks without a word, no clues as to where she'd been taken..."

"Boss, I had no choice, he knocked me out and..."

"Detective Nanuq spent one week in the hospital recovering from stab wounds when it should have been at least two, and then used up every minute of his days searching for his partner..."

"I didn't expect him to do that. I would have escaped eventually..."

"When rescuing the already rescued partner, he finds her shot and unconscious, and rushes her to the hospital, sending a task force to capture her captors."

"One stinking little bullet. I fainted against my will," she shouted.

"After fighting with the paramedics, nurses, and doctors, Sanders finally calmed down when her partner shouted at her. They took her into surgery and removed one bullet from her arm. Then, when she woke up in intensive care..."

"I didn't want to have any more drugs given to me. Damn it, Chief!"

"She screamed at the surgeon who saved her life, and..."

"Chief...I—" When he brought up his hand and stared at her for a moment, she fell silent, knowing that whatever wrong she'd done, she would have to pay for it.

"...and captured the doctor involved with her abduction!"

"Well, Kane caught him, I just—"

"Sanders, I want to tell you that I'm proud of you. You've been through hell for nine weeks, yet still came out on top. You escaped on your own and apprehended a criminal involved in your case. I wanted to congratulate you."

Ry squirmed in her chair, unused to being praised. She didn't know what to say, so she remained quiet.

"Now, to continue, you are to take six weeks off with pay to recuperate, and you are to see our resident specialist, Dr. Manning, three times a week until he sees fit to release you."

"What?" she cried. "I'm not seeing a shrink. There is absolutely nothing wrong with my brain. I may be knocked up and shot, but my mind is just fine."

"Those are my orders, and they will be obeyed."

The word obey echoed through her mind and suddenly she couldn't fight the chief anymore.

"Yes, sir," she muttered.

When she glanced up because of his silence, she noted that he appeared to be shocked. Chief Irving spoke gently, "Sanders, you've had a rough time. Take the six weeks, relax, and get better."

"Yes, sir."

As he opened his mouth to speak, a knock on the door distracted him.

"Come in!" he called, his eyes still on his top cop.

Kane opened the door and entered.

"Problem in here?" he asked.

The chief frowned, and shook his head.

"Take her on home."

"Wait!" she said in a quiet voice. "I haven't been able to pay my bills. What if the bank took my house back?"

Smiling, the chief glanced at her. "Detective Kane took care of everything, Sanders. All your bills are paid to date. Your weekly pay never stopped. It's sitting in your bank waiting for you."

Her eyes met Kane's. He nodded.

"Thank you." Humble, she asked, "Am I free to go now, sir?"

Both men appeared to be stunned at the change in her.

"You are. Your first appointment with Dr. Manning is on Monday at nine o'clock. Don't miss it."

"I won't, sir. Goodbye."

Kane walked her to the door.

"There's something I have to tell you, Ry. The priest and a couple of his cohorts escaped before the team got to the church. You're still in danger. I promise I won't leave your side."

She met his gaze and shuddered.

"I...I can handle it."

He put his arms around her and gently kissed her.

"I'm sure you can."

Kane led her through the crowd of grinning coworkers and took her home.

***

Refusing to let Kane do the grocery shopping for her, Ry demanded that they pick things up on the way home. Against his better judgment, he followed along with her.

"I am fine. I always do my own groceries and I'm not going to change my mind because of a little bullet hole."

"Fine. Stay put while I come around and help you out." After that command he got out of the car, but before he'd even gotten halfway to her door, she stood beside the car, chin up and eyes flashing.

"You are the most stubborn woman I've ever met," he said, groaning. Taking her arm, he walked her to the shopping carts and pulled one out. Ry immediately took charge and began pushing it with one arm. That didn't go well, but Kane waited patiently until she realized that she needed both her hands to maneuver it. When she attempted to push it up the small ramp, she finally admitted defeat and stepped aside without a word, frustrated at her lack of strength.

"It's just a shopping cart. Relax, Iqniq," he murmured.

Staring at him, she asked, "What did you call me?"

With a grin on his face, he answered. "Iqniq, it means fire, similar to that of a bright meteor streaking across the night sky."

Ry ducked her head.

"That's a nickname I can live with," she said, and began picking out fruit and vegetables. She allowed Kane to pick up the heavier items, and soon they stood at the cash-out counter. She stood beside him while he put the items on the counter and then let him pack them up and put them back in the cart. Though it was difficult, she kept her temper to herself.

***

Kane nodded to the cashier, reading her name tag, "Thanks for your help, Samantha." Smiling at the blushing girl, he began pushing the cart. Realizing that Ry still stood in silence back at the cash counter, staring into space, he called her.

"Ry, come on, let's go."

She'd fallen deep into whatever thoughts she had and didn't appear to hear him. Walking back to her, he took her hand and they moved on. She remained quiet all the way to the car. Kane quickly put the groceries in the trunk, stowed the cart in the storage area, and then rushed back to Ry. She remained lost in space.

"Ry? Talk to me. What's going on?"

He pulled her close and lifted her chin, gazing into her unfocused eyes.

"Ry?" When she didn't answer, he opened the door and helped her inside, then closed it. Racing around to the driver's side, he climbed in and picked up his cell phone.

"Chief? Nanuq here. We have a problem. Ry's in some kind of trance, and I can't snap her out of it."

"A trance? Call the psychiatrist and get her in there."

"What's the address? We'll head there right away."

The chief provided the information and hung up. Kane started the car and drove directly to the doctor's office.

Twenty minutes later they sat facing the doctor, and Ry continued to be zoned out.

"I'm Dr. Manning," she said. "How long has she been this way?"

"About thirty minutes. I can't get her to snap out of it."

Kane told the doctor about Ry's abduction.

"It's possible they might have hypnotized her, but I'll have to check into it deeper to figure out what to do with her. You said you tried talking to her. Have you touched her face or hands to give her a familiar sensation she can latch onto?"

Moving his gaze to Ry's face, he wondered what would work. Cupping her cheeks, he studied her vacant gaze. "Ry," he whispered. "Ry, come back to me." When she didn't respond, he kissed her, dipping his tongue into her mouth. It took a moment, but soon she groaned. Ry closed her eyes and began kissing him back.

Lifting his head, he stared at her in relief.

"Ry?"

"Hmmm..." she murmured with her eyes still closed.

"Open your eyes, Ry."

The minute she did, she jumped, searching the room then focused on the doctor.

"What the hell is going on? How did we get here? Who are you?" she asked in a hurry.

The doctor smiled. "Now there's a nice trigger."

Kane squeezed Ry's hand. "You fell into some kind of trance and I couldn't break you out of it. I brought you straight here to Dr. Manning. She's your new psychiatrist."

"But...I don't understand. I remember lining up to pay for groceries, and now I'm here. What's wrong with me?" Ry's hands were shaking.

"We'll have to spend the next few weeks finding that out, Miss Sanders. For now, Mr. Nanuq will take good care of you. I'm going to ask you a few questions, and we'll get started on your recovery."

Panic set in, squeezing her heart as she fought to act normal.

"Look, Doc, I don't have anything to recover from. I'm fine! Never better." She was ready to argue her point, so the doctor's response surprised her.

"Okay. You're fine. We still need to talk, but if you want to do it on Monday, then I'm good with that. What would you prefer, Miss Sanders?"

Biting her lip, Ry mulled it over for a moment. Her eyes shot up to meet Kane's, but she found no answer in them. Finally, she sighed.

"I guess we could start on Monday, and I'd prefer if you'd call me Samantha."

Both the doctor and Kane stared at her in surprise.

"Samantha?" Kane asked.

Ry fell back into the trance, her eyes unfocused.

"There she goes again. Who's this Samantha?"

"You have the key to waking her, Detective. I suggest you use it. She's obviously been under a great deal of stress. We'll unravel the answers on Monday."

Kane kissed her hard again, relieved when she came around.

Ry gasped. "What's going on?"

Fear filled her eyes as she stared at Kane. He simply held her hand instead of explaining.

"Oh, she'll be here."

"Excellent. I'll see you on Monday."

Gripping Kane's hand tightly, she asked, "Can Kane come with me...at first?"

Smiling, the woman nodded, then stood and showed the couple out. When the door closed behind them, Ry turned to Kane.

"What's the key?"

Worried about her, he pulled her close and kissed her long and hard. When he lifted his head, she'd forgotten the question.

"Let's go home," he murmured.

"Yours or mine?"

"I gave up my apartment. Why don't we make yours ours, and that way I'll be there if you need me?" Kane waited while Ry thought about that. When she finally nodded, he sighed in relief. He would stay with her whether she wanted him to or not. The kidnapper hadn't finished with her yet and danger surrounded her.

***

When they arrived at Ry's home, she seemed edgy and nervous. Every little noise made her jump. After putting the groceries away, Kane took her hands and sat her down on the kitchen chair.

"Why don't you take a nice hot bath..."

"No!" she shouted, her eyes going wide with fear for a moment, but then she took a deep breath, and calmed herself down. "I...I'd much prefer a shower." Standing, she walked past him and made her way down the hall to the bedroom.

Following her out of curiosity, Kane watched as she stared at the bed. A shudder crawled up her spine. Coming up behind her, he slipped his arms around her waist. She gasped in surprise, but she didn't pull away.

"Would you like me to shower with you?" he whispered in her ear.

She glanced over her shoulder at him, then turned and kissed him, sweet and slow.

"Does that answer your question?" she asked in a husky voice.

"Yes, ma'am, it sure does."

They raced to strip down. Ry got to the bathroom first. When he arrived right after her, he found her staring at the bathtub, shivering head-to-toe.

"Ry. You're safe now. Let's get into the shower. We'll deal with the bathtub another day." Reaching into the shower stall, Kane started the water, making sure it wasn't too hot. He steered a silent Ry into it, closing the glass doors behind them.

For the first time in more than a month, they saw each other naked. Kane studied her, noting that she'd lost weight but her belly had begun to round slightly.

"You're beautiful," he murmured, pulling her close and holding her in his arms as the water cascaded over them. Ry curled into his body, her fingers digging into his back as though she clung to him for life.

Tilting her head back, he lowered his lips, capturing hers in the sweetest of kisses. When he released her, he said, "I should get a condom."

Appearing surprised at first, Ry shook her head.

"No one raped me. Not once. In fact, they treated me like the blessed virgin. I'm fine. Honestly." Seeing doubt in his eyes, she became angry. "The child is yours, ice boy. Only yours."

"I believe you, sweetheart. I'm simply being careful. There may be things you blocked out."

"No, I don't think you do believe me," she said with a quiver in her voice. She tried to leave the shower, but he held her close.

"Let's not fight. I want to hold you and kiss you all over. I missed you more than you'll know." He seized her lips with his, showing her how lost he'd been without her.

***

Ry fell into him, sliding her arms around his waist as she pulled him closer. As she closed her eyes, she began to picture them together on the bed, Kane thrusting his hips, sinking deep within her as she cried out in ecstasy. Chanting suddenly began in her mind. She gasped, pulling away from him. Ry shuddered, backing against the cold wall. Staring at him with fear in her eyes, she panted, shaking her head.

"What's wrong, Ry?" he asked, seeming surprised at her reaction.

"I...I can't. You can't."

Shoving the glass door open, she left the shower, leaving the bathroom without a towel as she raced to her room. When she got to the bed, her eyes widened and she changed direction, sitting down hard in her lounge chair. She curled up into a ball and stayed there, shivering as though she'd been to Nunavut.

Kane stood at the door watching her. She was finally realizing that the people in the cult had done something to her mind. He picked up a blanket and placed it around her shoulders.

"It's okay, Ry. I'm not going to force you to do anything you don't want to. Let me put you to bed."

"No!" she cried. "Just leave me alone...please!" Her heart pounded as she sat there gasping for breath.

"All right, I'll be in the living room. Call me when you want to talk." Quietly, he left the room, leaving the door open.

She couldn't decide if she was relieved or upset that he'd left her.

***

He picked up the phone and called the psychiatrist right away, explaining the situation.

"What can I do to help her?"

"When she tries to get intimate with a man, she basically shuts down. Be patient with her and don't push her. Get her to talk if you can. I'll see her on Monday. You'll be fine until then."

"Thanks, Dr. Manning. I appreciate you taking my call."

Hanging up the phone, Kane made his way back to the bedroom. Ry was curled up in the chair, sound asleep. He gently lifted her, placed her on the bed, and then crawled up beside her, pulling her close. He lay holding her for hours, wondering what he could say or do to help her. Ry slept through the night. Kane lay awake until the sun began to rise then he fell into a light sleep.
Chapter 10

Sunday night, Ry and Kane lay curled together on the bed. They hadn't been able to make love all weekend, but Kane was patient with her, making sure he didn't do anything to upset her. They stayed in the house, hidden from the world while they waited until Monday when they would find out what she'd been programmed to do, or not do.

At midnight, the phone rang and Ry automatically answered it.

"Sanders," she mumbled.

"Samantha, you will obey."

Ry fell silent, and waited for them to say more.

"You will not wake up your boyfriend. You will get out of bed and come to the front door. Do not turn on any lights. You will walk to the curb and get into the car without a sound. You will obey." The caller disconnected.

"Who is it?" Kane murmured.

Still holding the phone, she turned to him. "Who is what?" she said in confusion.

"You're holding the phone, someone called."

"The phone?" Staring at it, stunned, she put it back on its cradle, and lay back down.

"Go back to sleep. I must have been dreaming." Ry waited until she heard his deep even breathing, and then carefully eased out of the bed. She thought she was in a dream, walking in the dark to the front door.

***

When she began turning the handle, Kane's hand pressed against the door, holding it closed.

"Where are you going?" he asked softly.

"To the curb to get into the car," she murmured, staring into space.

Kane peeked out the window and saw a black car waiting in front of her driveway. Since he hadn't turned on the lights, they couldn't see him. Sweeping her up into his arms, he raced up the steps and grabbed the phone. Ry tried to break free and go outside. She was oblivious to anything else.

"Get a squad car to 13 Frontenaque Lane. This is Detective Kane Nanuq. There's a black sedan parked in front of the house that is believed to be linked to the abduction of Detective Ry Sanders. Make it quick!" he urged.

He put the phone down and then adjusted his grip on Ry. She was struggling hard now. To stop her before she screamed, he kissed her, imprisoning her arms until she began to respond. When she relaxed in his arms, he lifted his head. Ry appeared to be confused, staring at the living room.

"What's going on?"

"You're a sleepwalker," he said, watching out the window.

"I don't sleepwalk, Kane."

"How would you know?" he asked, kissing her brow.

The car drove off slowly. A minute later the squad car pulled up.

"Run and get back to bed. I have to answer the door."

"But..."

"Ry, you're naked. I have my boxers on. Which one of us should answer the door?"

"Oh!" she cried, suddenly realizing for the first time that she was naked. She jumped up and raced down the hall just as the doorbell rang.

***

She couldn't hear what Kane said on his cell phone, no matter how hard she tried. A few minutes later, he came to bed and crawled in beside her.

"Who was that?" she asked.

"Who was what?" Snuggling close to her, he tried to avoid the subject.

"At the door! Who was..." Seizing her lips, he distracted her enough that she completely forgot what they'd been talking about.

Kissing her on her forehead, Kane whispered, "Goodnight, sweetheart."

Curled into his side, Ry found a safe haven. She closed her eyes and fell asleep.

***

"Chief, I've been watching her for days, and Dr. Manning said that she's been hypnotized. I can't keep dodging the attempts to recapture her if we stay in her place. It's not safe enough."

"Well, Nanuq, what do you have in mind?" the chief asked.

"I want to take her to Nunavut until the baby is born. It's my home ground. I know I can keep her and the baby secure there. My family will help, and our home is easy to guard."

"Just until the baby's born?" The chief thought about that for a moment. "What do we do afterwards?"

"We'll have her deprogrammed by then, and we'll kick some cult butt!" Kane said, his voice low and deadly.

"Well, I can see it's the best way to keep her out of sight. No one would expect her to head up there. I'll spread the word that she's gone into hiding until the baby's born and hint that she'll be coming back with a nice tan. That should throw them off if any cult members are sneaking about for information."

"We can leave today, Chief. Dr. Manning has already located a psychiatrist in Nunavut and filled her in on what we're dealing with."

"Great. Bring Sanders in here for a minute. I want to say goodbye. I don't know what I'm going to do with all the quiet we'll have around here."

Kane laughed, yet his heart wasn't in it. He left the room and came back with Ry in tow. She seemed to have lost her fire. Standing there before him, she waited patiently for him to speak.

He took her to the chief's office and they sat down, facing the man. The chief spoke. "Sanders, I'm sending you on a mission with Nanuq. It could take months to finish. I expect you to be on your best behavior during your leave."

Ry glanced up at Kane in surprise. When she met her boss's gaze, she started shivering and ducked her head.

"Are you trying to get rid of me, sir?" she asked in a subdued tone.

"Absolutely not! I have a job for you. Nanuq will fill you in once you reach your destination. I wanted to say goodbye. I'll see you when you return. Your job will remain the same as always for when you get back."

The chief stared at her for an endless moment then smiled at her. When he stood up and walked around the desk, he threw his arms around her, hugging her tightly for a moment. Ry's eyes widened. Choked up, she cleared her throat and pulled away.

"What about my house?"

"I'll have Hamilton and O'Roark keep an eye on it. Your direct deposit paychecks will keep everything running for you. Keep in mind that Nanuq is your partner. Be good to him, and lay off the arguing once in a while." Sporting a lopsided grin on his face, he shook her hand, and then Kane's.

Though he knew she didn't want to leave, it was imperative to keep her safe. It went against the grain of her training. In her viewpoint, she wouldn't retreat, even carrying a child, but he'd had to convince her to go.

"I'll see you soon."

"Goodbye, Chief." When she got to the door, she grinned then slammed it shut behind her.

Kane stared at the door. "At least she has some of her old spirit back."

"Let's hope she gets it all back. We need her. Goodbye, Nanuq." The chief turned his back and hobbled to his desk, his shoulders slumped. Kane wondered if he'd ever see the man again. He seemed gravely ill.

Closing the door quietly behind him, Kane followed Ry over to O'Roark's desk and stood behind her listening.

"So what have you twerps been up to since I've been away?" she asked, keeping a straight face.

Staring up at her, O'Roark leaned back in his chair.

"Nothing. Not a thing. All the criminals left town when they heard you weren't here to capture them. It seems that the rest of us are too tame by a long shot." His grin nearly showed, but Kane caught it.

"You lie like a rug, O'Roark!" she said, chuckling the way she used to.

"Ah...you're right, Sanders. The only crooks we get in here now are the ones searching for a good pounding by our resident bully cop."

Her eyes widened. "That can't possibly be me! I'm just a meek and mild gal who'd never hurt a fly."

The entire room full of cops burst out laughing.

Tilting his head sideways, he studied her belly. "They must have been feeding you well, girlfriend. You're getting a pot on you."

She suddenly backed up right into Kane's hard chest. He placed his hands on her shoulders.

"Sanders is pregnant," he said in his quiet way.

The room fell silent for a moment. Ry bit her lower lip, wondering how her teammates would react. Kane squeezed her shoulder slightly.

Everyone suddenly began yelling and crowding close to get near the couple.

"Hey, I'll bet it's a boy!"

"Nope, it's going to be a girl."

"What are you going to name it?"

"Jake is a great name for a guy."

"McPherson, just because that's your name doesn't make it a good name. Your parents just ran out of options in the baby books."

Laughter filled the room.

Kane spoke when they went silent. "In my family, we don't name the child until he or she is born."

"That sounds fair. You can name him or her after me," McPherson said, bringing on more joviality.

"Samantha is beautiful for a girl's name," said one of the women.

Kane froze as Ry stilled and fell quiet. He leaned forward and noticed that her eyes had glazed over, and she was oblivious to what was going on around her. Turning her to face him, he kissed her, hard and sweet, making the entire room full of people whistle.

When Ry came out of the trance, she only saw Kane's smiling face and grinned back until she realized they had an audience. The smile vanished to be replaced by a puzzled frown.

Kane murmured in her ear, "We'll discuss it later."

"I wish a man would kiss me like that," one of the lady cops sighed.

"I'll give you one, Frazer, just come over here."

She laughed. "That's too much work, Donahan."

Raising his voice a little, Kane said, "We're going now. We'll see you in August after the baby's born."

"Where are you going?" Carla queried.

Ry shook her head. "To a beach, sipping virgin Pina Coladas, and soaking up the sun."

"What about a shower or a party for you both? When can we have that?" Carla asked.

"When we get back."

O'Roark spoke up. "You two getting hitched?"

That brought pause to both Ry and Kane.

"Classified," he said, realizing that he hadn't asked her.

"Gee, you two are a fountain of knowledge. I can imagine the house with the white picket fence and all, right down to the size of the nails!" O'Roark teased.

"Bye, gang. Keep the streets clean for us, will you?" Kane called out, steering her out the front door.

***

"Okay, spill!" Ry asked, curious about the blackouts, when she came to once Kane kissed her.

Kane took her hand in his, keeping the other one on the steering wheel. He sighed, not sure he wanted to tell her about the issues she had when she zoned out.

"Ry, when you were captive, the cult hypnotized you to be obedient."

For a moment she glared at him.

"There's no way someone could do that to me. I'm too strong-minded for it." She paused, shaking her head. "No way!"

He squeezed her hand. "Let's try something. I'll say the words that seem to trigger you. Are you willing?" When she nodded her head to agree, he said, "Do you see that green building about a mile from here?

"Yes."

"I'll wake you when we reach it, and you'll see what I mean."

"Okay, shoot."

He used the one word that seemed to be her trigger.

"Samantha."

Ry fell silent, getting a glassy look in her eyes.

Kane pulled over when they reached the building then took a deep breath. He had to kiss her to snap her out of it. When she melted beneath him, he knew she'd returned.

"How the hell...?"

"When I say a name, or tell you to do what I ask, you fall quiet and do whatever is asked of you."

"It can't be true. Kane, I'm too strong to be hypnotized. I really am."

"The only thing I figured out to bring you back is to kiss you."

"That's...it can't be."

"It's true, Ry. I swear it."

Tears filled her eyes. "How do we get rid of it?"

Lifting her hand to his lips, he gently kissed it.

"We'll be meeting with a psychiatrist I know in Iqaluit. She'll be able to help. I'm sure of it."

"I am pissed now! How dare they? It must have been the intercom. They kept repeating the same phrase over and over again on the PA system until I escaped."

"Don't worry, honey. I'll make sure you get rid of it."

She fell silent, unable to speak for a while.

"I love you, Ry. I may have to bring you out of it often," he said, a smile on his face.

Meeting his gaze, she tried to smile.

"It's a nice way to do it. I don't mind at all. Am I washed-up now? I can't be a cop if I'm doing what other people want. Imagine how the tables would turn. I'd be useless to the department. Does the chief know?"

"Yes. He's aware of it, and he's the only one who knows where we'll be."

Ry stopped talking, staring out the window and swiping at the tears that trailed down her cheeks.

They had been driving for nearly an hour when Ry suddenly gasped.

"Kane, I have to pack!"

"I did it for you last night while you slept." He started the car and continued the drive.

Annoyed, she cried, "You what? How do you know what I want?"

"Listen, Ry, you are in no shape to make decisions right now. It has nothing to do with want; it's what you need that's important."

"And exactly what is it that I need?"

Kane glanced over at Ry for a moment and grinned. "You need everything that I picked out for you."

Rolling her eyes, she sat back in her chair with a thump, crossing her arms. She remained silent for all of two minutes before she started at him again.

"You know, there are certain things a girl needs. What if you missed something?"

"Well, I know you don't need your birth control pills or your feminine products. You seldom wear makeup, and I brought your hair brush, tooth brush, and toothpaste as well as your warmest clothing. What's left?"

Ry noted his amused grin, tapping her fingers on the window as she tried to keep her temper in check.

"How about..."

"I packed it."

"How do you know what I was going to say?"

"Your new coffee pot and coffee grounds."

She turned to stare at him with her jaw dropped open. Chuckling, he lifted her chin with his finger to close her mouth.

"What are you, a mind reader or something?"

"Or something. Why don't you close your eyes for a while? It's going to be a long drive."

"I'm not tired," she said sharply. Yet a few minutes of silence later, her head nodded as her eyes closed, her eyelashes brushing her cheeks.

Kane pulled over and used his seat controls to recline her chair and took a blanket out of the back of the cab, covering her in one smooth move. Once he'd finished making her comfortable, he continued driving.

***

"Hey," Kane murmured, kissing her lips.

Slowly opening her eyes, Ry met his gaze. Stretching, she arched her back and let out a big yawn.

"You slept for six hours. You're not one for keeping a guy company, are you?"

"Six hours? You lie!" she argued, glancing at the clock. "Six hours? I've never taken a six-hour nap before in my life!"

Kane undid her seatbelt and left the car, coming around to help her out.

"Where are we?"

Slipping the blanket around her shoulders, he walked her to the restaurant doors.

"We are about eight hours away from Baffin Island."

"Baffin Island?"

"That's where I live. You'll love it. We'll be living with my family for a while. When the baby is born, we'll go back to the city and catch the Web Cleanser unless the team find him first."

He waited until they'd sat down and had placed their orders before he told her.

"I'm taking you home."

***

"Home with you?" She stared at him for a long moment before she got it. "Oh, no. No, you don't. You turn that car around, and drive elsewhere, igloo boy. I'm not setting foot in the North Pole!" Crossing her arms over her chest, she sat back and fumed.

Kane laughed. "Yes, you are. It's the only place I can think of to keep you safe until the baby is born, and you're going with me...period!"

"Why couldn't you pick a place like...like...a tropical island?" she grumbled.

"Too hot."

"For you maybe. For me it would be pure heaven. Cabana boys meeting my every need, maid service, a pool, and room service. What more could a girl ask for?"

"I'll be your cabana boy. My mother will help out now and then. My sisters will be there also. I'll cook, clean, whatever you want."

"Right, and thaw me out with the hair dryer every now and then!"

Snorting, Kane stared up at her. "We use blow torches instead. Hotter. Much faster."

Laughing, Ry threw her napkin at him just as the waitress brought their dinner. Smiling, the woman placed their plates in front of them and left.

"Um, what exactly is this?" Ry asked, staring down at the stew in her bowl.

"Fish stew."

"Oh," she mumbled and played with her spoon.

"Don't you like fish?"

"Yeah, I like fish all right, but not thrown together with green floaty-things and orange logs."

"The green floaty-things are vegetables. The logs are carrots. Give it a try before you turn your nose up at it. You'll be eating a whole different type of diet at home. You might as well start getting used to it now."

Her gaze shot up to meet his. "No hamburgers? Hot dogs? Pizza?"

"You'll see when we get there. You'll enjoy it. Honestly."

Biting her lower lip, expecting the worst, she tasted the stew and dropped her spoon.

"What's wrong?" Kane asked, concerned.

"It's...it's absolutely..." Screwing up her face to pretend that she hated it, she continued, "...delicious!"

Roaring with laughter, Kane picked up her hand and kissed it. "You're going to do just fine. Now eat up. I have a surprise for you. I think you'll love it too."

"My own sled dog?" she teased as she began devouring her meal.

"Ah, no, not quite."

Pouting, she asked, "An invitation to Santa's castle?"

Shaking his head, he struggled to swallow a mouthful of stew before his laughter spilled out.

"Um...an icicle necklace?"

"No, silly. Now eat! That's an order!"

Ry's eyes suddenly glazed over, her grin fading away to nothing.

Watching her, Kane swore then snapped his fingers in front of her eyes, but she didn't even blink. Pulling her chair closer, he tapped her cheek. She still didn't respond. Finally he captured her lips and kissed her, long and slow, until she kissed him back.

When he lifted his head, she stared at him. "Um...what were we talking about? You have this way of making me forget."

Smiling, Kane hid his concern, dropping his gaze to his meal. "I said that we'd better hurry up if we want to get there before Christmas."

"It's only May. I think we have time." Snickering, Ry finished her stew. "You know, I could go for a banana split with chocolate, caramel, and pineapple, and lots of whipped cream and cherries."

Both eyebrows rose as Kane looked back at her. "Cravings?"

"Hmm...I don't usually eat that kind of stuff, but I want it bad. I guess it could be classed as a craving. Will you order me one while I go to the washroom?"

"I'll order you whatever you want."

"Oh, then order me a green SUV with all the bells and whistles," she teased, laughing as she walked away.

When Ry left the room, Kane pulled out his cell phone and made a call.

The confection awaited her when Ry returned to her seat. She made short work of the delicacy, then sat back and licked her lips the way a cat would after eating a bowl of cream.

"Are you full? I could order you a piece of pie or two to go?" Kane teased.

"Oh, no way! I couldn't stuff even one more bite into my mouth. I'm ready to go."

The waitress had removed most of the dishes when she'd brought the dessert. She then brought a large box and placed it on the table in front of Ry, taking the dessert dish in hand.

"What's this?" Ry asked.

"Your husband ordered it for you a few days ago. Go ahead, open it." Offering a smile, the woman walked away.

Ry snorted then glanced at Kane. "Husband?"

"I didn't want to disappoint the woman. She said she'd never had a man kiss her the way I did you, to the point of forgetting everything else. I was going to give her a kiss, but decided it would be in my best interest to reserve these dangerous lips for only you."

"Ha! If you want to share your lips with someone else, buddy, you go right ahead. I have no dibs on you."

"Oh, no?" he asked, then leaned forward and cupped her cheeks before seizing her mouth in another mind-blowing kiss. Kane kept her mouth captive as he made her forget everything...again.

When he released her, she blinked. "What was I going to say?"

Deep laughter bubbled up his throat until it erupted, filling the entire restaurant.

"What's so funny?" Ry asked, getting angry with him.

"Open your gift."

Miffed with him, she ripped open the box and lifted out the softest winter coat she'd ever had. The design showed a mother husky and her pups as they romped after her. Ry ran her hand over the thick and pliant pure white material.

"It's absolutely beautiful, Kane, but you shouldn't buy me gifts."

"Then let's call it a necessity. There are matching pants in the box too."

"Why did you buy it for me?"

"You're going into the domain of Nanook of the North. You need to dress the part. The pants will expand with your stomach."

Ry's hand dropped to cradle her tummy.

"Tell me about your home."

"We're going to hide in my igloo until you give birth. That will keep you safe."

"You live in an igloo?" she cried.

Holding back laughter, he said, "You'll have to wait until we get there to see. Now, go put on your gear. The weather's going to get colder by the minute, and I want you and my child to be warm."

***

The way he said you and my child sent chills of awareness up her spine. Instead of leaving the room to don the pants, she put them on over her jeans. She watched as he pulled the drawstrings snug but not tight. Then she put the coat on. Seeing her reflection in the window, she started laughing.

"Did Nanook have a girlfriend?" she asked.

"He does now," Kane said. When her smile faded, he took her hand and walked with her to the car. While standing beside his door, he pulled on his pants and coat. Ry watched him in silence. He'd not said anything about a serious relationship before. She fell silent for much of the next few hours, thinking about what he'd said.

***

"They're sitting on the other side of the restaurant. He handed her a thick jacket and pants. I think he's taking her home with him."

Speaking low into the cell phone, the watcher ate sparingly of his stew while his lady companion meekly followed suit.

On the other end of the phone, the man behind the murders sat back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the desk.

"Keep your distance, but follow them. He'll probably go to the police station first. His home is gone. You'll have to keep a close eye out on him to find out where he's staying. I want her back and untouched."

"Yes, master. We will obey. I'll call you soon." Folding his cell, the rusty-haired man put it in his pocket. "We're going to Nunavut." Throwing some cash down on the table, they left without glancing at Kane and Ry.

***

While Kane watched the road, he noted that Ry kept her gaze on the landscape for hours. She'd been quiet for the past hour. When she squirmed in her seat and sighed, he turned to her.

"Bored already?" Kane asked.

"Terribly. When will we be stopping?"

She rested her head on the back headrest as she turned to stare at him, her neck arched and leaving her shirt gaping slightly. Kane nearly drove off the road as his cock automatically stood at attention.

"Oh! Eyes forward, buddy," Ry cried, grabbing the door as the car swerved. "What is the matter with you?"

"The scenery distracted me," he grumbled, focusing on the road.

A few minutes later, he pulled into a long driveway that led up to a small airport.

"What are you doing?"

"There are no roads from Ontario to Baffin Island. We fly from here."

"Fly?" she cried, her eyes widening in shock.

"Fly."

"But...but I don't fly. I never have. Can't you drive over the bumps to get us there?"

He could tell that her nerves were stretched by the way she trembled, but he didn't laugh at her. Instead he took her hand in his and squeezed it gently to comfort her.

"I'm sorry, but we have no choice."

"Shit! You are not putting me on a plane. No freakin' way!" she snapped.

"Yes, I am, even if I have to carry you. Iqaluit is the capital city of Nunavut. It's where I work. I live outside of town."

Ry turned to stare at the only plane on the strip and cried out. "What the hell is that?"

Chuckling, Kane looked over at it.

"That's the plane taking us home."

"Like hell it is! There is no way I'm going to climb into that tuna can. Planes crash, you know."

"So do cars. There are fewer planes than cars in accidents. You're a cop, you ought to know."

"But..." Suddenly she started shaking her head and crossed her arms as he pulled the car to a stop. When he turned it off and got out, he glanced back at her. She hadn't moved an inch, her chin set tight in determination.

"Hey there, Kane! Nice to see you again. What are you lookin' for today?"

A grizzled old skeleton of a man stood there smiling, showing off the few teeth he had as he held out his hand. Grasping his hand in a firm grip, Kane gave the man a winning smile.

"Lou, you old fart. I hope you're keeping that plane in good shape. I have special cargo this time."

Lou leaned in close and winked. "She's a cutie. Think she'd go for me?"

Shaking his head, Kane laughed. "No way. She's carrying my baby and there's no way I'm sharing with anyone. Besides, she's a cop. She'd take you down in a minute."

"Oooo...sounds like fun to me. Congratulations, you dirty dog," Lou snickered.

"I only have one problem. She says she won't fly."

"Well, I guess you'll have to order her to, if you think she'll listen."

Kane fell silent, and turned to glance at Ry. Kane tried to open the car door, but she kept locking it before he could.

"I'm not going! Just give me the keys, and I'll drive myself back home."

"Nope, you're going with me. You and my child are in danger, and I'm taking you home to keep you safe until the baby's born. Now, get out of the car!"

"I will not!" she shouted. Trying to pull the door closed, she pushed him with her hands, but he stood firm. Before she could climb over to the other side, Kane stopped her with a few stern words.

"Come with me, please Ry?"

"What about that thing you call a plane?"

"Lou is a good pilot. I've flown with him countless times, and he always makes sure it's safe to fly the tin can. Lou, can you help me get the bags and load up?"

"Against my better judgment, I'll go with you, but I don't have to like it!"

Scratching his head, Lou nodded and got to work. Kane took Ry over to the plane and helped her in, buckling her belt to fit just below her belly.

"Stay here, Ry," he said gently.

She nodded, and relaxed in her seat.

Once the men had the plane loaded, Lou started the engine while Kane climbed in next to Ry and buckled up. He pulled her close and cuddled her, resting her head on his shoulder.

She did fairly well in flight, only gasping when they hit turbulence. When they landed at an airstrip outside of Iqaluit, Kane helped her out and then stood still for a minute, letting her look around the small airport. Sighing, he took her in his arms and kissed her, delving his tongue deep into her mouth and coaxing her to respond. When she did, her arms came up and circled his neck. Everything worked out fine until Lou opened his mouth.

"Hot damn! There simply aren't enough sweet little women around." Cackling, he stood there with his hands on his hips. "Where do you want your stuff, Kane?"

Ry blinked then glanced at the pilot. "This place is barren. There's nothing here. No buildings, no cars, no...anything but snow." She clenched her fists, frustration eating at her.

Kane shrugged. "It's where we live now."

"I'm ready to go back to Toronto. Now!"

"Give it a chance, Ry. It's the safest place I know where I can protect you."

"More like me protecting you, buster!"

Lou shook his head. "I take it back. I don't want no biddable woman! Holy smackers!"

Ignoring Lou's outdated comments, Kane asked, "Can we talk about it later?" He knew the answer by the expression on her face, so he tried again. "Until we get to deprogrammed, you aren't safe."

"I already told you, I don't believe I've been hypnotized." Pointing her finger at his shoulder and tapping it hard, she shouted, "There is no way anyone can tell me what to do. No freakin' way!"

"I can prove it. Look at where you're standing right now, and the next minute you'll be kissing me in the police office."

Crossing her arms over her chest, she gave him a furious glare.

"Ha! I dare you. As a matter of fact, I'll bet you twenty bucks that it won't work."

Kane nodded and spit on his hand. Ry followed suit and they shook hands.

"Samantha, you will obey me."

Her eyes glazed, and she fell silent.

Sighing, Kane took her hand and led her to his snowmobile, where Lou had deposited their bags.

"Stand here," he ordered her.

"Yes, I will obey," she murmured.

Once he'd loaded up the bags, he sat her on the seat, climbing in front of her. "Hold on tight to my waist." Ry immediately put her arms around him.

He waved to Lou and took off for town.

***

Once they reached the precinct, Kane held her hand, leading her inside.

"Hello Harry," he said to his friend. "Hang on a second. I have to... Oh, never mind. I'll tell you in a minute." He embraced Ry, took a deep breath, and kissed her. Moments later, she blinked then gasped, her knees going out from under her. Holding onto her, he lowered her into a chair, and stood ready for fireworks.

"It's true!" she whispered, trembling all over as she glanced at the room around her. Her eyes shot up to meet his, tears misting her eyes.

"Ry, it's okay. We'll get through this. Calm down or you might hurt the baby."

"Calm down? Calm down? I'm no weakling, and they hypnotized me anyway," she cried out, searching for an escape from the room. When her eyes fell on Harry, who stood there with a serious expression on his face, she shouted, "Who the hell are you?"

Harry held out his hand. "I'm the Inspector. Welcome to Iqaluit."

Ignoring it, she shouted, "I'm out of here."

***

Shoving Kane out of the way, she made a break for the door, opening it so fast that it slammed against the wall. Ry stepped out on the street and froze in place. Snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles rushed past on the icy street.

The town had a large number of scattered buildings, including a few apartments that she could see. A taxi even drove past on large, deeply grooved wheels.

Dropping her face into her palms, she stood there shaking in despair. She had nowhere to run, and no one to run to. When Kane placed his arm around her shoulders, she tried to break free, kicking him in his shin. His thick pants cushioned the blow, and he grunted.

"Calm down, Ry," he warned.

Finally, when she ran out of energy, she dropped her head on his chest, and started crying.

"Oh, baby, don't cry. I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you. I'm going to take you to the psychiatrist tomorrow, and she'll fix it. Please stop crying."

"I don't cry!" she mumbled, sniffing.

"Come back inside and sit down for a few minutes. Please."

Suddenly shoving him away from her, she swiped at her tears, and yelled, "I hate you! I don't ever want to speak to you again!" At that, she took a swing at him.

***

Kane caught Ry's wrist, preventing the blow.

"You will stop this right now, and come inside. Do you hear me?"

Her eyes glazed over.

"Damn, not again."

Instead of taking her back into the office, he kissed her right there to bring her back. She broke the kiss off and pushed away from him.

"Is that your answer to everything? Kissing me?" she cried.

He watched as she glanced up and down the street. She had nowhere to go. With a determined expression on her face, she shoved Kane aside and walked back into the office, where she marched right up to Harry.

"Where is the hotel?" she demanded.

Still standing where they'd left him, his arms crossed, Harry shook his head.

"The hotels are full. Busy season."

"Fine, a room to rent?"

"None."

"A house?" she cried in frustration.

"Sorry."

"What kind of place is this? Fine! I'll sleep on the streets or you can give me a jail cell!"

"Jail's got over sixty beds, and we're always short by twenty at least. Some prisoners sleep on the floor."

She growled, frustrated beyond measure.

Before she could turn and leave, Kane took her arm firmly.

"You are staying with me, and that's final," he said in a low voice.

"The hell I am!" Ry tried to pull away. "Let me go or I'll arrest you for manhandling me."

"Jail's too full," Harry said, chuckling.

"You've got to be kidding me." Rolling her eyes, she freed her arm again and then froze, collapsing.

Kane caught her, sweeping her into his arms. He shouted at Harry, "Get the doctor!"

"You said she's pregnant. Pregnant women have dizzy spells. It's normal. Ask your mom."

"How do you know so much?" Kane's voice became edged with panic, his stomach clenching.

"I've got three sisters, and they all had kids. I used to have to pick one or two up off the floor every week because of their pregnancies," he chuckled.

"Now what do we do?"

Harry took pity on him and walked over to the water cooler, bringing back a wet paper towel and a glass of water. He motioned Kane to lay her down on the bench, and placed the paper on her forehead.

"Now we wait. It should only take a few minutes."

"If it takes more than a few minutes, you're going for the doctor."

"You said she'd been taken to the hospital, and had a full physical, including the infant, right?" Harry's calm tone reassured Kane as they watched for signs of her waking up.

"Yes. They are both in perfect health."

"Then don't worry about it. I'll bet I hear from you a lot once you get settled in with your mom and sisters. Pregnant women have all kinds of worries. Cravings, cramps, nausea...the list goes on. I'm glad I'm a man and only have one part in the pregnancy."

Kane nodded then saw Ry open her eyes. He nearly shouted in relief.

"Are you okay, sweetheart?"

"Don't you sweetheart me, you jackass. Get away from me!"

Harry snickered. "I'd say she's just fine."

"Knock it off, Harry. Let's go to my home, Ry. My family will be there to help."

"I don't need your help," Ry said as her eyes filled with tears.

"Yeah, lots of tears go with pregnancy too." Harry grinned.

"Oh, go to hell!"

Kane sighed. "Definitely getting better."

***

The door opened, admitting a gust of bitter cold wind and a woman, who rushed up to Kane and threw her arms around him. "You're home! I missed you."

Long black hair framed a heart-shaped face, and her figure made Ry check out her own frumpy clothing under the coat. When Kelly kissed him quickly, he grinned down at her and gave her a big hug.

"Kelly is the deputy sheriff here."

The big green-eyed monster showed itself as she studied the stunning woman. Rage flowed through Ry's veins like hot lava. She envied Kelly, imagining Kane and her together as a couple. Sighing in defeat, Ry tried to calm herself down.

"I'm tired. There has to be some place I can get some sleep."

Kelly nodded, staring at Ry with curiosity in her gaze.

"I'll drive you both home. I'm headed that way anyway."

I'll just bet you are. "Thank you." Ry shook her head, glaring at Kane, who winked at her.

She wanted to wipe the smile off his face, but fell silent, keeping her anger to herself. She'd go to his home, but she wouldn't sleep with him. She made that clear to herself, hoping she had the will to keep him at arm's length.

"Let's go then."

Ry followed Kelly outside, ignoring Kane.
Chapter 11

The full moon lit up the snow with tiny diamonds that sparkled as they passed. Though it was already dark, Ry could still see a fair distance. She barely noticed the scenery as they flew over the snow-packed earth in the Hummer. Ry remained silent most of the way to his home, sitting in the back seat alone.

All the way to his house, he and Kelly talked about the Web Cleanser, and about the latest murders. Ry bit her tongue. She could tell that he and the woman had a connection, much to her dismay. His lover can back off, or she'll find herself flat on her ass in a snow bank.

She couldn't believe how angry she'd become at his betrayal. One lover in Iqaluit, the other in Toronto. What a jerk! Kane's affection for the woman proved to be Ry's undoing. She hated the thought of sharing him with anyone, let alone this beauty.

They soon pulled up to a large stone building that had four chimneys, all of them expelling gray smoke. Without a deck in front of the house, it seemed stark and cold. Another two outbuildings rested nearby. Ry had never been so depressed, not even when held captive.

Kelly climbed out and walked straight inside the home, disappearing up the stairs.

Helping Ry out of the truck, he led her up the concrete steps to the front door, following Kelly. Opening it, he let her go inside first. The hallway was filled with light, though the rest of the house remained dark.

"Come with me, and I'll show you where we are sleeping," he murmured.

"Let's get something straight. I'm not sleeping with you, looking at you, or talking to you ever again, I don't want to be here," she snarled.

"Shh...you'll wake the whole house."

"So what? You're the idiot who decided to bring me here. Tomorrow morning call your pilot, and have him fly me home."

"No!"

"Then you'll have to suffer the consequences."

"I thought I heard voices. Hello, son. This must be Ry." His mother stood at the top of the stairs, dressed in a thick robe.

Kane stiffened.

"Yes, this is Ry. We're exhausted. I'll do the introductions in the morning."

"Well, off to bed with you. We can get to know you in the morning." Smiling, the five-foot-nothing woman pulled her terry robe more tightly around her and started to go back to bed.

"I'm not sleeping with you. I mean it!" Ry whispered.

His mother heard her and stopped.

"Give me a minute and I'll make you up a place to sleep. I'll be right back," she said, leaving them alone.

Taking Ry's arm, he pulled her close and spoke through clenched teeth. "You are being ridiculous. We don't have to have sex, we just have to sleep. Now you're inconveniencing my family."

"Oh, well pardon me, Mr. Hit-her-while-she's-down! You took advantage of me, and now you want me to pretend that everything is fine with us? I don't think so."

Their whispers grew louder by the minute as they stood nose-to-nose in the hall. Just before Ry began shouting at him, his mother returned to the top of the stairs.

"Come upstairs, Ry. You can have my daughter's room tonight, and we'll work something out for tomorrow."

"Thank you. I won't be here tomorrow." Shooting a final glare at Kane, she followed the woman upstairs. She heard Kane growl, then he slammed the door on his way outside.

***

The warm and cozy blue room Ry slept in helped her relax. Lacy curtains floated across the closed window, but let in enough light that she could study the room. The night before, she'd been exhausted and been asleep as soon as she hit the mattress. Covered by a number of warm blankets, she ran her hand gently over the patchwork quilt that lay on top of them. She didn't remember seeing it on the bed last night.

In the small room, everything had its place. The neatly organized shelves as well as the top of the dresser made the room appear larger. Lying there for as long as she could, she sank down under the covers, enjoying the heat.

At a knock on the door, she cringed. Now she had to face his family...and him.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Kane's smiling mother walked in.

"It's time to get up, dear. You have to eat and wash up before you go to town for your doctor's appointment." Her soft voice gentle and kind, she had a warm air about her that made Ry wish her mother still lived.

"I'm not going to the doctor's. I'm going to the airport," Ry said miserably.

Coming to sit beside Ry on the mattress, the woman patted her hand.

"Dear, I know that you are angry with my son, but it will pass. He explained the whole thing to us and—"

"What did he tell you?" Ry asked, ashamed that other people would know she'd been hypnotized. Her heart ached with the need to be with him, but she needed to prove to him and to herself that she could be stronger and beat the mind control. "He told us about the kidnapping and"—smiling, she paused—"about my grandchild. I'm happy that you are here, and I can watch you grow with your child. I'd appreciate it if you call me Kara, and maybe someday...Mom."

Tears filled Ry's eyes, and she quickly wiped them away. When a lump in her throat formed, she couldn't talk for a moment. She sat up and hugged the woman, surprising herself.

"It's all right, dear, don't cry."

"I don't cry. At least I never used to until I met your son!" Pulling back, she put her hand over her mouth and moaned. "Listen, Kara, I will be perfectly blunt with you and ask your forgiveness now before I stick my foot in my mouth again. I'm rude. I yell a lot. I have a terrible temper, and I...I...can't stay here. I have to go back to Toronto. It's what I know. Loud vehicles, sirens, people shouting. That's my life."

"Ry, give us a little time to get to know you. What can it hurt to stay for a week or two? I want to become your friend, if you'll have me."

Dropping her head back on her shoulders, Ry groaned. "I wish you weren't so damned nice!" she muttered.

Kara chuckled then wiped a tear from Ry's cheek.

"Let's get you in the tub and—"

"Not the tub, please. Can I have a shower instead?" Fear flickered for a few seconds in Ry's belly, visions of her captivity flashing through her mind.

"Absolutely. Then we'll get you dressed, fed, and ready to go to town."

"But I'm not—"

Placing her open palm in the air, Kara stopped Ry from arguing.

"Shower. Now!" The kindness in her eyes took the sting out of Kara's words.

Ry fell silent for a moment then said, "Now I see where Kane gets his bossy behavior from."

Laughing, Kara pulled down the covers.

"Good heavens, you slept in your clothes! Come on, let's go." Holding out her hand, she waited until Ry took it, and then led her down the hall to the bathroom. It surprised Ry to see a modern blue whirlpool tub, glass shower stall, sink, and toilet.

"Geez, I pictured a tin can from the old days," she murmured, then moaned. "There goes foot number two into my mouth. I'm sorry."

Kara laughed in delight. "We have a lot of modern conveniences thanks to my son. Kane works hard to keep us comfortable. And don't worry about your dry humor—my husband acted the same way as you do. He always said, 'I call it the way I see it, and if people don't like it, they can stay away from me!'"

"I'm sure I'd have liked him. I'm sorry you lost him."

"He's always in my heart, dear. I know he's watching over me from the other side."

"Other side?"

"Some people call it heaven."

"Oh, right."

Kara picked up two fluffy towels then showed Ry the shampoo and soap. She then demonstrated how to use the shower. Finally, she closed the door behind her, and left Ry to do her business. Ry put the towels down and stripped off her clothes. They smelled as though she'd been in them for days.

She started the shower and climbed in, shampooing her hair first. Groaning as the hot water soothed her skin, she reached down and picked up a bar of soap. Flashes of the baths she'd been forced to take rushed through her mind. Clenching her teeth, she fought to push the images aside. Dropping the soap, she put her forearms on the wet tile wall and shuddered. Faster and faster the scenes flew past her eyes.

"No, I won't let them keep me prisoner!" she cried.

"Ry? Are you all right?" Kane asked. He stood beside the shower with a concerned expression on his face.

"Can't a girl have a shower without somebody barging in?" Pulling herself together, she used her anger at him to clear her head.

As though he'd been slapped, his expression changed from stunned to angry.

"You have five minutes to get downstairs and eat before we leave. There are few enough doctors out here, and none of them have time to wait for you."

Stomping from the room, he slammed the door behind him.

"There goes foot number three."

***

Kara took her downstairs to the kitchen. Kelly and the other two women stood there staring at Ry. Each of the beautiful women had long black hair and chocolate doe eyes.

"These are my daughters, Kimmy, Kayla, and of course you already met Kelly."

"Kelly?" When she realized her mistake, Ry bit down on her wrath as she faced him, giving him a dirty glare. Livid that he'd kept their relationship from her until now, she ground her teeth.

"We all live here." His wide grin irked her. He'd known all along why she was angry, but he hadn't told her Kelly was his sister, not his girlfriend. She fumed, her face burning with heat as she fought back her anger. She clamped down on her ire and forced a smile on her face toward the women.

"It's nice to meet you."

Kane chuckled, earning a glare from her, which only made him laugh more.

His mother glanced over at him and narrowed her eyes.

"Kane, what's going on?"

Shamefaced, he said, "I'm sorry, Ry. You obviously jumped to conclusions, and I let you. I didn't realize that you thought Kelly was anyone but my sister."

Seeing him chastised and embarrassed, Ry crossed her arms, happy to have Kara on her side.

"Don't worry, Kane, I'll get you back someday when you're not expecting it."

Kara laughed. "You've met your match, my son. I hope she gets you good." She turned to Ry, and held out her hand. "Come and sit down, Ry. Drink your cocoa, and then you can get to the doctor's."

Kelly had her hands on her hips. "You always have to be a brat, don't you, little brother?"

He grinned at her.

"Only by a few minutes, big sister."

Ry stared at him. "You're twins?"

Kelly nodded. "When Mom had us, he pushed his way into the world with a great big fat chip on his shoulder that I came first."

"He does have a way of being bested by women."

The women all laughed when he fell silent and glared at Ry. Taking a seat, Ry sipped on her cocoa and sighed. For the first time in weeks, she relaxed.

Kimmy asked, "Tell us about your job. I can imagine you'd be very busy with all of the people you have in Toronto."

"Yes, I—"

Kayla interrupted, "You make such a cute couple."

Kelly laughed, whistling long and slow. "I can only imagine what happened between you two, stuck in that house together on duty."

Ry's cheeks warmed. When she glanced quickly in his direction, she saw that he couldn't keep things to himself any better than she. She grinned, watching him as he met her gaze, pleased that she wasn't the only one who had a hard time hiding their secret relationship.

"We have to go," he said, his expression now made of stone.

"Ha! As always, you can't hide your true emotions. Ry, he's such a sucker for punishment. I'm happy for you two," Kelly said, meeting Ry's grin.

"She's having a baby," Kara said quietly, her eyes shining with pride.

"What?" Kimmy cried.

"Awesome!" Kayla stood up and clapped, reaching down to hug Ry.

Kelly acted more reserved, smacking her brother.

Unsuccessful at hiding her blush, Ry changed the subject. "Let's go." Ry stood up, heading for the door. "Thanks for the cocoa."

"We'll see you two tonight for dinner. I hope you like caribou."

Ry stopped in her tracks. "Are you kidding me?" she asked, not sure she'd appreciate the answer.

Kane finally spoke up.

"She's used to beef, pork, fish, and chicken. Go easy on her."

"We'll make chicken for you if you prefer it."

Shaking her head, Ry looked Kara in the eye. "I'll eat what everyone else does."

"Ah, an adventurous spirit. I'm impressed." Kara smiled, showing her appreciation. "We're having caribou, and rosemary and partridgeberry stew. You'll love it."

"As long as you're not serving skunk," Ry teased.

Kara suddenly looked crestfallen.

"Oh, you're kidding me," Ry cried, fearing the worst.

"Yes, I am," Kara said with a laugh. "You're pretty gullible for a city gal."

"Come on, Ry, Kelly, we have to go." Kane opened the door and stepped outside, followed by the women.

Before shutting the door behind her, Ry said, loudly enough for him to hear, "Make sure to pull the photo albums out, so we can make fun of him."

The women laughed in delight.

Kane spun on his heel. "You are not going to make fun of me!"

"Sure I am. We're on your turf now. Right, Kelly?"

She wiped at the tears on her cheeks from laughing too hard.

"I'm game if you are."

They climbed into the truck. This time, Ry took the front passenger seat.

"You can drive this time, buddy, but look out when I get comfortable with your town."

"It's a city," he protested, "sort of."

Ry laughed, enjoying herself. "I love your family. It's nice to have people on my side when it comes to you."

Silence met her words, which only made her laugh more. The women teased him all the way to town.

"Let's get serious now. Kelly, you can be the tour guide."

In the back seat, she showed Ry some of the key points to the town.

"On your left is a house. On your right, you can see our grocery store."

"That's a grocery store? It's so small."

Kane snickered. "She's from the big city where the stores are five times the size of the airport hangar here. As a matter of fact, everything is five times bigger."

"Wow. I've never been out of Iqaluit. I can't even imagine it."

Once in town, Ry took a moment to study the buildings. She was impressed with the three bed-and-breakfasts and the hotel. Bursting with curiosity, Ry noted that the parking lots didn't appear to be full. She and Kane weren't talking. They hadn't spoken a word since her shower. Without talking, he helped her out of the truck and took her arm to lead her to the door. Her anger was built up to boiling point by the time they pulled up at the psychiatrist's office at the small hospital. After her appointment, she had a big surprise for him.

Kane opened doors for her and led her once again by the arm. She tried to take it back, but he kept a firm grip. He took her directly to the receptionist and told the woman that they had arrived then helped Ry off with her coat, removing his quickly. He hung them up then gently pushed her down into a seat. When he finally let go of her arm, she immediately tried to stand, but he quickly sat down beside her, taking her hand in his.

She leaned over and whispered, "I hate you!"

"At least you're talking to me."

She was about to tell him where to go when the receptionist interrupted her.

"You can go in now."

"Thank you," Kane said, and pulled Ry to her feet. She kicked him when the lady wasn't watching. He grunted and kept going.

The doctor waved them in and motioned them to sit down. She appeared to be middle-aged, with salt-and-pepper hair, which she kept neatly tied back in a bun. Flashes of Olga and Mouse flickered in Ry's mind.

"I'm Dr. Samantha Jules," she said, her eyes on Kane.

***

Ry fell silent, letting Kane seat her. Suddenly he noticed the glazed stare and groaned.

"Not again!"

The doctor stood up and came around the desk to gaze into Ry's eyes one at a time. Shining her small flashlight into the pupils, she nodded.

"She's in a trance. We can bring her out of it or let her tell us her story while under. She'll be truthful. It's similar to me hypnotizing her."

"It's your call, Doctor." Kane knew that Ry's files had been emailed to Dr. Jules. He didn't have to fill her in on too much.

"Ry, tell me about the first day of your capture by the cult member."

Staring at nothing, she began her tale. "Kane and I shared a house to trap the killer. The Web Cleanser came while I lay in the tub. He stabbed Kane and tried to drown me. Kane saved my life by giving me CPR. Then he was hit again and fell on top of me..."

For what seemed an endless time, Ry spoke of her ordeal and filled in details when the doctor asked.

"Doctor, there are two things. Whenever someone orders her to do something, or says...your first name, Ry goes into the trance, and will do anything you ask of her. Second...well...she can't...we can't— Whenever we try to have sex, she shuts down, and says that I can't touch her. We start out okay, but then she stops as if we're doing something dirty. She said they didn't rape her. Can you ask her if the baby is mine, or if they hurt her?"

"I can ask, but it's up to her whether she'll tell us or not." Turning to Ry, the doctor asked softly, "Ry, is your baby's father Kane Nanuq, or did someone rape you?"

"It's our baby, Kane's and mine," she sighed dreamily.

Relief washed through him. Kane wiped a hand over his eyes.

"Ry, you will not obey when you hear the name Samantha. Do you understand?"

"I will not obey. I understand."

"When you have sexual relations with Kane, you will not imagine that you're dirty or unclean. You will be able to have sex with him."

Ry's eyes suddenly flickered.

"No. The master wants me to be pure. I can't let another man touch me."

"Ry, you will not remain pure for the master. You can let Kane have sex with you, if that's what you want," Dr. Jules said. Turning to Kane, she murmured, "I sincerely hope I'm not stepping out of bounds with this. You aren't going to take advantage of her if she doesn't want to have sex with you, are you, Mr. Nanuq?"

"Absolutely not. I..." He stopped. "I love her."

His eyes met the doctor's.

"This may take time, and we might need to repeat the sessions, depending on how ingrained the hypnotic suggestions are on her. Give her time. Be patient. I will try to bring her out of it now." Glancing back at Ry, she said, "Ry, you will wake up now, and act as you normally do. I'll count to three, and you'll be awake. One...two...three!"

Nothing happened. Ry remained in the trance.

"Oh, dear. That didn't go well. How did you bring her out of the trance before?"

Sighing, he turned Ry to face him, and captured her lips in a slow, tender kiss. When she broke out of the trance, she blinked, and then slapped his face.

"If you are going to keep doing that, then I'm not staying for a session." Standing, she turned to leave, but Kane said, "You've been talking to the doctor for just under an hour, Ry. This is serious. Sit down, now!"

Freezing in place, Ry turned slowly and sat back down. She'd zoned out again.

"Oh, man! I've got to stop ordering her around. This happens every time."

"We'll schedule you for an emergency session for tomorrow. I can see this is critical, especially since those people are still after her."

"Thank you, doctor. I appreciate it." He pulled Ry into his arms again, and prepared to take his punishment. After the kiss, she stared up at him in confusion.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Ry. Have a good trip back to wherever you're staying." The doctor shook hands with a stunned Ry and then Kane. Spinning on her heel, Ry left the room, slamming the door behind her.

Kane shrugged, biting back a grin. "She does that a lot." He quickly followed her out into the waiting room, but she beat him out the door.

"Damn!" He grabbed his coat to follow her. By the time he got to the front door, he saw her driving away on his snowmobile. His hand dove into his pocket. "Shit! She stole my keys!" Taking out his cell phone, he called Harry.

Minutes later, the two men took off after her in a large all-terrain vehicle. It didn't move as fast as a snowmobile, but it sent snow chips flying as they sped along on her trail.

"She's headed to the airport, I'll bet. Too bad she's going the wrong way!" Harry chuckled.

"If she doesn't kill herself and the baby, I'll kill her myself!" Kane murmured. His fear for her grew by the minute until they saw her tracks heading down a long winding road.

Both men laughed. The street had been named End Of Road To Nowhere. It basically led to a dead end built for future growth of the community. After a few minutes, Ry would be surprised.

***

If she hadn't been angry and scared, she would have laughed as she thought of the expression on Kane's face when he saw her leaving him behind. Her mind spun in circles.

"Why don't I remember?" she cried to the wind. Every time she pulled out of the trance, she found Kane's warm lips on hers, his tongue coaxing her to come back to life. If she only knew what made her go into the trance in the first place, she would simply stop doing it. She passed through the town and took the first road she found. It didn't appear to be well used, but she seemed to be headed in the right direction for the airport. Keeping her speed moderate, she raced along. After watching how Kane drove the snowmobile, she found it easy to do.

The land lay flat for as far as she could see. A blanket of pure white snow covered the tundra, making her catch her breath at its beauty. She started getting worried when she didn't see a house or another person. Moments later, she figured out why.

"A dead end? Who makes a long road into a dead end? Are they crazy?"

Swearing, she climbed off the snowmobile and stomped away from it, staring into the distance as she searched for the bright yellow airport.

"Not even a stinkin' plane to show me the way," she grumbled as she shouted out a curse at the top of her lungs. The wind soaked up the sound. Her cheeks burned with the cold and she began shivering. Nausea hit her hard and fast. She fell to her knees to vomit.

Sitting back on her heels, she sucked some cold air into her lungs and shivered harder. Her whole body trembled. When she heard another vehicle coming, she stood up. Seeing an angry Kane, she turned and ran, tripping as she moved along the uneven snow. A scream tore from her mouth as arms of steel surrounded her and they both hit the deck, Kane's hard body cushioning hers from the fall.

Anger flared once again and she started fighting him. He grunted when her elbow hit his cheek, and his arms loosened enough for her to get free. She jumped up and began running again until she heard him yell, "Where do you think you can go?"

Stopping, she panted for breath and threw up again. Dropping to her knees, she waited until the spell finished and then shouted, "I don't know. I don't know anything anymore!" Pounding her fist into the snow to punctuate each sentence, she screamed, "I don't remember. I can't fight, and I am lost in this...this icebox!" Her last word ended in a screech, and then she dropped to her stomach and lay there panting, and shaking with the cold.

"I'll help you, Ry. I'll be with you every step of the way, I promise. You'll get your strength and your memory back. We'll do this together," he said gently from her side.

Picking her up, he cradled her in his arms and carried her back to where Harry waited. When he set her down in the seat of the all-terrain, Harry handed her a tin cup.

"It's hot chocolate. Drink some and it'll warm you up."

With no fight left in her, she took the cup and drank, careful not to burn herself. Kane pulled out some blankets and covered her, brushing snow away from her face. Defeated, she followed his suggestion.

***

Harry stepped out of the vehicle and walked around to Kane's side.

"You take the Hummer and I'll bring in your snowmobile. Take her to the office and get her warmed up. We'll check her for frostbite there."

Nodding, Kane climbed aboard, pulling Ry toward him. She leaned against him, acting as though she had no energy left, and that scared him, his concern being hypothermia, a common ailment in the tundra. "Let's make tracks!" he shouted to Harry, who nodded in understanding.

***

Kane and Harry checked her thoroughly and found her in good health, except for falling silent and staring into space. When the door opened and an RCMP officer walked in with a man and a woman, she glanced up.

"What do you have?" Harry asked. When the woman saw Harry's scarred face, she cringed, moving closer to the redheaded man.

"I found them in these flimsy coats, walking in from the airport. I think she's got hypothermia." The officer brought the couple up to Harry's desk and had them sit down in the chairs. When they saw Kane and Ry, their eyes widened in recognition before they dropped their gazes to their laps.

Ry came around for a moment, narrowing her eyes, and suddenly stood up, dropping the blankets to the ground. She pushed past Harry and Kane, and marched over to the couple.

"You're following me, aren't you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," the man said, not lifting his gaze to face her.

Tilting her head, she said, "I saw you at the restaurant in Ontario. Now, say that again...louder!"

Kane prepared to stop her when he realized what she'd been doing. He figured that the couple had been sent to either spy on her or kidnap her again and take her back to Toronto.

"Answer the lady," he demanded, moving in closer until he leaned menacingly over the man.

Raising his voice, the man said, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Aha!" Ry shouted. "You little bastard! You're one of the guards from the compound. You're one of master's little toys. Aren't you?"

"N-No! We came to see Inglic out of curiosity. We're vacationers."

The woman began shuddering in her seat, fear written all over her face.

"The city is called Iqaluit!" Ry snarled. Grabbing the man's jacket, she leaned in close to him. "You're going to tell us what we want to know, and you're going to do it now, or we'll leave you downstairs in the jail cells. People have to sleep on the floor down there, and it's damned cold. Now talk!" She shook him, taking his chin in hand as she forced him to meet her gaze.

"I...I...I'm only doing what I've been ordered to do. I'd never hurt you. I swear!" he whined.

Dropping him into his chair, she gave orders to Harry. "Get them something warm to drink and call the doctor. We want them in good shape for the interrogation."

Grinning, Harry said, "Yes, ma'am!" He leaned over, and whispered loudly to Kane, "So this is your woman? She's a hotty!"

"You bet she is," he whispered back behind his hand.

Ry nearly laughed, but she focused on the couple.

"Samantha, you must obey," the woman said in a small voice.

For a few seconds Ry sensed herself falling into the trance, but then she remembered what these people had done to her and anger took over.

"Screw you, lady!"

Wearing a wide grin on his face, Kane put his hand over his heart, proud of her. "Oh, no! I'll never get to kiss her again," he said, moaning. She knew he joked, and gave him a dirty look before returning her gaze to the couple.

"Do you know what happens to people in jail? It's cold down in the cellar where we keep the convicts," she murmured into the woman's ear.

Uttering a shriek, the timid lady shook even harder.

"Hey, now, Detective Sanders, go easy on her," Harry said in a serious tone.

"Why?" Ry cried. "They've been stalking me for days."

The door opened, and a well-dressed man wearing a warm parka walked in, closing the door behind him.

"Hi, Doc," Kane called.

"Hi, K...ah...Detective Nanuq."

"Coming to check the cells for stiffs?" Ry asked, winking at him.

"Oh, stiffs, yes, plenty of those this time of year. Who has the hypo?" he asked.

"These two might," Kane said to the doctor loudly.

"Oh, God!" the redhead cried, shuddering.

"Yes sir, you'd better talk to him now, because you're in big trouble." Crossing her arms over her chest, Ry frowned, narrowing her eyes. Unzipping her parka, she prepared to take it off and get into the interrogation, when Kane stopped her.

"Sorry, Sanders, but you and I are heading out before the snow sets in. We have a storm coming, and it might end up as hail in this weather."

"But I want to—"

He shot her a stubborn expression, and she knew that he'd brook no arguments. "Have fun, Inspector. We're out of here," he said, with a woeful expression as he glanced at the prisoners and shook his head.

"Somebody's gotta do the job, pal. Maybe I should tell them what happened to the con who scarred my face?"

Harry's serious expression nearly fooled Ry as she turned around to do up her zipper, hiding her grin. "I can't stand the thought of hearing it again, Inspector. Nanuq, take me home."

"Yes, sweetheart. I hope we don't get in trouble with the master when he finds out that we are sleeping together."

Harry snorted and returned to work. The door closed quietly behind the couple.

The minute they stepped outside, Ry rounded on him.

"I will not sleep—"

Laughing, Kane put his hand over her mouth.

"I joked with you for their benefit, but if you want to, I'm at your disposal." Pulling her close, he kissed her, making her forget that they'd been arguing.

All the way home she snuggled up behind him and remembered their intimate moments. She'd pictured them in her mind a million times.
Chapter 12

At dinner, Ry met the rest of the family—Kat and her two children, Ally and Brin, who were seven and eight years old.

"Can you tell us about Toronto, Miss Sanders?" Brin asked, his bright brown eyes shining.

"Please call me Ry, Brin, and you too Ally. Toronto is...nothing like Iqaluit. There's barely any grass or trees unless you go to a park, and on the roads the traffic never ends. We have buildings so tall you hurt your neck trying to look up to the top of one. The CN Tower is the tallest. It's sort of shaped..." Ry drew on her napkin to show them.

"Oh! It's similar to an upside down icicle!" Ally cried.

"I guess you could say that." Laughing, Ry continued, "There are more than two million people in Toronto, and it's getting bigger all the time. We don't have to wear coats in the spring and summer when it's hot out. I'll bet if you came to visit me there, you'd melt into puddles before you stepped off the plane!" Ry gave them her most serious expression.

Brin caught on first and nudged his little sister. "She's joking. Cops always joke about stuff. See Uncle Kane? He does it too."

With wide chocolate eyes, Ally gazed up at Ry.

"You're teasing us!" she squealed, laughing.

"Sorry, force of habit." Ry wondered if her child would be as wonderful as these two little ones. Placing her hand on her slim belly, she sighed.

"What an amazing meal, Kara. Thank you." Ry sat back and groaned as her full stomach protested.

"Is this the first time you've eaten muskox?" Kayla asked. Kara beamed under Ry's praise.

Something churned in her belly as Ry repeated, "Muskox?"

"It's similar to beef," Kane added.

Nauseated suddenly, Ry put her hand over her mouth and raced for the bathroom. Kane followed right on her tail and pulled her hair back as she threw up violently over and over again. When she finished, he washed her face with a damp cloth, eyes filled with concern.

"I guess you'd better tell me what I'm eating before dinner," she said, smiling weakly as she gazed up at him.

Pushing her hair back from her face, Kane kissed her forehead tenderly. Ry ducked her head and stood up to brush her teeth. He wouldn't let her walk down the stairs alone, holding her arm in his familiar grip as they descended.

Returning to the dining room, Ry smiled at the family.

"Sorry about that. My stomach is rather picky these days."

Chuckling, Kane said to his mother, "We'd better tell her what she's eating before dinner from now on."

Kara bit her lip to keep from laughing aloud.

"Can I make you some toast or something now that your tummy is empty?" Kara asked.

"Um... I'd rather skip to dessert, as long as I know what it is first, that is." Ry laughed along with Kane and the women.

Smiling, Kara asked, "Can you handle chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream?"

"Ohhh...bring it on!" Ry said, moaning in bliss.

Kane went to the kitchen and brought her a large slice of the cake with a big scoop of ice cream. She stared at it as though it were ambrosia.

While she tore into the confection, everyone fell silent. When she raised her eyes, she found that Kane and his mother watched, the twitches at the corners of their mouths proving that they were hiding their grins.

"Think it will stay down this time?" he asked.

Licking the spoon, she said, "If it doesn't, I'm going to keep eating the whole cake until it can't leave my stomach! This is absolutely delicious. I'm going to be the size of a house if I keep eating this way."

Slim after having three children, Kara shook her head. "While you're here, daughter, I will feed you such healthy food that you won't have a chance to get fat."

Stopping with her loaded fork in midair, Ry stared at Kara with a stunned expression.

"What's wrong, Ry?" Kane asked.

"Daughter?" she whispered.

Nodding, Kara said, "Whether you marry my son or not, you are now my daughter. You're part of this family."

Unable to swallow the lump in her throat, Ry put down her fork and left the room in a hurry, heading upstairs to the bedroom.

***

"What was that all about?" Kane asked, standing up.

"Leave her alone, son. She's not used to being part of a family. Now tell me: when are you going to ask her to marry you?"

Stunned, Kane stared at his mother for a long moment, unsure how to answer her.

"Son, you either love her, or you don't. If you do, and I think you do, then you should give the child your name. It's time to put the past behind you and move ahead into the future."

Thinking about his wife and kids dying, he stared into space. Life with Ry would never be dull. Feisty and stubborn, she never obeyed him, but he loved that about her. When he explained things to her, she always considered his point of view. "I do love her, Mom. I honestly think she'll turn me down. We've had a bumpy relationship."

"Relationships take work, son. I stopped counting the arguments your father and I had over the many years of our marriage. I try to remember only the good times." She glanced down at her ring finger, and sighed. "I suppose I have to move on as well. Take this," she said, pulling off her diamond ring. "It's my engagement ring. If you choose to ask her, I'd be honored to have her wear it."

"Mom, you're the best! Are you sure you can part with it?" Kane asked, humbled.

Kara nodded, her eyes bright with tears. "Go ask her, Kane. I already love that girl."

Rubbing his unshaven jaw, he stared at his mother.

"Do you think she'll say yes?"

"The only way to find out is to ask, and if she says no, ask again and again until she can't refuse."

"Did you say no to Dad?"

Kara laughed. "A few times, but he never gave up."

Taking a deep breath, Kane nodded. "I'm going to give it a try. Wish me luck."

"I doubt you'll need luck, dear. Now go."

Kane raced for the stairs and took them two at a time. He gently knocked on his sister's door.

"Come in," Ry answered, in a quiet voice.

Opening the door slowly, Kane peeked in on her. She sat facing the window, her back to him. He sat down next to her, and kissed her forehead tenderly.

"What's up?"

Ry took a deep breath, and let it out slowly.

"I've never told you about my family. I guess now's a good time, if you're willing to listen." Her soft voice seemed melancholy.

"I'm all ears." Putting his arm around her, he pulled her back until she leaned on his chest, resting her head back on his shoulder. She paused for a moment.

"I had a family. When I turned six, our home caught fire, and my three brothers, my mother, and my father all perished by the time the fire department arrived. They saved me because I slept with my head under my pillow and only had mild smoke inhalation. The fire alarms didn't go off. We never found out why."

Waiting for her to continue, Kane took her hand and kissed her palm.

"I had a good childhood until then, but since I didn't have any other family members to take me in, I ended up in foster care, an orphan. I pretty much had to fight my way through life to get what I wanted. Beaten up many times by the kids I fostered with, and even sometimes by the foster parents, I grew a big chip on my shoulder. School after school kicked me out for fighting."

She turned to meet his gaze.

"I joined the police force to help kids. I took martial arts and learned to be the toughest, meanest fighter on the mats. No one could take me down for years, no matter their size or skills. Then you came along. You're the first one who did."

"Ry, you could have taken me hands down, but you let one thing get in the way."

"What?"

"Your anger. When I slapped your butt as you passed me by, you became so angry that you forgot all of your teachings and attacked me. That's why I won. I knew you couldn't keep your anger at me in check."

Her eyes widened. "You're joking!"

"No. I guess you could say I cheated because the guys told me how angry you'd get if a man made a pass at you, and I used it as the perfect distraction. It worked a little too well. But we all admired the way you picked yourself up off the mats with dignity, shook my hand, and complimented me on my win. That's the sign of a true winner."

"Huh! Who knew? I had thought that you and everyone else would ridicule me for finally losing, but the next morning they all congratulated me and you made my day pleasant and smooth. That shocked me...exactly in the way that Kara did downstairs. I haven't had anyone call me daughter since I was six. I...I couldn't face her, afraid I'd break down."

Squeezing her shoulder, he murmured in her ear. "When my mom picks a daughter, she only picks the best."

He caught a tear on his thumb and Ry ducked her head to hide her face.

"I guess you're pretty tired. I should let you get some sleep."

Before Kane could stand up, she took his hand.

"If it's all right with you, snowball, I'd rather sleep in your arms."

He offered her a bright grin, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her.

When she pulled back, she whispered, "Because of the hypnotizing, I'm not sure if I can...ah...go all the way, but I want to, Kane. I miss you. I need you."

"Let's get your stuff and head down to my wing."

"Sounds like a plan to me," she murmured, reaching up to kiss him one more time.

After a long, sweet kiss, Kane moaned and let her go. Ruefully, he grinned and glanced down at his pants.

"If you can't, you can't, but he's ready for you if you decide to go for it."

Snickering, she ran her fingers over his swollen jeans and laughed when he groaned.

"We'd better hurry. I don't want the poor fella expiring on the way down the stairs."

Seconds later, they had all her belongings in hand and rushed down the hall to his suite. Kane saw his mother peeking around the kitchen corner and winked. She grinned ear-to-ear, but didn't say anything.

When they came to Kane's door, he dropped all the bags and turned around, startling her. He kissed her again then swept her off her feet. Ry squealed with delight. When he opened the door, he carried her over the threshold and then gently put her down. She stared at his living quarters.

"You live on only one floor?" she asked.

"My sister and the kids live upstairs. At the end of the hall is the suite for the two Mounties." Taking her hand, he led her down the corridor. "To the left is the living room. Kitchen's on the right, bathroom beside it. The dining area is through that door past the kitchen, and on your left is my...our bedroom."

"Let's check it out," she said.

Kane prayed they could bypass her hypnotizing and make love. He had a lot to tell her, and ask her.

***

Impressed with the brightly colored walls and subtle furniture that she'd seen, Ry stepped into his room. The light pine furniture fit in well with the decor, the floor covered in a thick royal-blue carpet. On the back wall was a gray stone fireplace that took up nearly the whole wall, and in it crackled a cheery fire.

"I take it your favorite color is blue?" she teased.

"It's one of them."

The bed had another patchwork quilt made of burnt orange, navy blue, and shades of green throughout. A massive cannonball style king-sized bed framed of light pine took up a good portion of the room. The headboard had three shelves filled with books, stone carvings, and candle holders, as well as reading lights.

"I'm impressed," she murmured, placing her arms around his neck. "Let's get those bags out of the hall and see if we can figure out how to work my brain."

"You stay here and make yourself comfortable. I'll get the bags."

"Deal."

Kane disappeared and Ry began exploring the room. A display of Inuit stone carvings of polar bears, walruses, seals, and even a few fish lined the shelves. On the walls were paintings of generations of Nanuq families, and one of sled dogs with a rider who appeared to be racing. Taking a closer look, she saw Kane in the image. She found a box of matches and lit some of the candles. Suddenly, she shuddered and backed away, dropping the box.

"Fight it, Ry. Don't let them beat you. Candles are romantic. They're here for you and me. You won't be forced to do anything you don't want to do," Kane said, pulling her into his arms. "Breathe," he urged.

She blinked a few times, then focused on the room and him. The loud chanting that had taken over her mind began to recede and she finally could breathe again.

"Good. I'm good now," she whispered.

"Tell me how you want to do this. Do you want me to leave and let you get ready for bed?"

"I am not getting into that huge bed without you, ice man!"

"I'll show you how much of an ice man I am, young lady. Come here." Pulling her close, he seized her lips in a slow, languid kiss. His fingers began removing her clothing, while hers worked on his shirt. Their lips never left each other's while they stripped down.

Stepping back, Kane stood still, gauging her reaction. When she showed him only passion and acceptance, he picked her up and carried her to the bed, laying her gently in the center.

"Kane, I want you. Oh, how I've missed you."

"I have apologies to make to you for using—"

Ry placed her fingers over his lips and shook her head.

"We work on tomorrow from now on, not on yesterday. Make love to me, and don't let me give up on you, you hear me?"

He nodded then seized her lips like a man possessed. He started with her jaw, working his way gradually down her neck. Ry moaned as she shifted her hips.

Groaning, Kane murmured, "Let's take it slow, my Corazon."

"Corazon? Doesn't that mean heart?" she whispered.

"It does, even in Inuit. Ry, I can't even begin to tell you how much I missed you. I want to kiss every inch of your body and never stop."

"You'll get no arguments here." Gently brushing her fingertips over his cheek, and on down to his mouth, she smiled at him. She pulled his head down, kissing him with all of her unspent passion until he broke away. His lips began a trail down her neck, stopping to caress her earlobe until she moaned, digging her fingers into his shoulder.

Grasping his cock in her hand, she began stroking it at an excruciatingly slow pace. He pulled away, gasping.

"Not yet. I can't take much of that right now. We have all night. Let's enjoy every moment." Staring directly into her eyes, Kane showed her what he wanted. She offered her love, her joy, and her passion.

His lips descended, seizing hers with such zeal that he left her breathless. Tears filled her eyes as she arched her back, wanting him so badly it hurt. She pushed him down on the mattress, climbing up beside him.

Kane moved his lips and tongue down to kiss the base of her neck, running his tongue along it. He pushed her onto her back as he moved downward. She melted beneath him. Gradually, he worked his way down to her breast, trapping her nipple between his teeth, and worried it. She cried out with need. He spent endless moments worshiping her breasts. Ry's hips twisted, lifted, and undulated as she sank her fingers into his hair, pulling him closer.

When Kane's lips finally moved down to her slightly swollen belly, he stopped, studying the place where their child grew. Gently, he nuzzled her belly, placing his ear over it.

"I can hear him. He's calling me Daddy and asking me to take him dog sledding."

She released a throaty, husky laugh and then asked, "How do you know it's a he?"

"Just a hunch, but if it's a she, I'll cherish her just as much as I do her mother."

"What's your heart's desire, Kane?" she panted as he ran his tongue around her belly button.

Lifting his head, he met her gaze. "You."

Touched beyond measure, she felt tears prick her eyes again. "You are the sweetest man I've ever met."

Moving lower still, he found her nest of curls. He captured her clit in his teeth when she panicked.

"Stop! Oh, please, stop!" She tried pushing him away, the chanting echoing in her mind again. She had to stay pure for the master. No man could touch her body.

Holding her in place, Kane murmured, "It's okay, my Corazon. We want to be together. He can't keep us apart unless you let him."

Blinking, Ry stared at him for a long moment as she fought her mind and the commands that kept rushing through her thoughts. She finally saw Kane clearly, the love shining in his eyes. Nodding, she took a deep breath, and pushed the cult chant away.

"I can do this. I can. I'm strong now, aren't I?" she whispered.

"You are. We are, together. Just relax, and let me love you, Ry. We belong together."

"You're right, we do." Shaking, she lay back down and took a shuddering breath. "I'm ready. I love you, Kane."

"I love you too, Ryland Sanders." Instead of continuing, he moved back up her body and kissed her once again. Lifting his head, he took her left hand and slipped something on her finger.

"Will you marry me, Ry?"

Her eyes widened in shock as she glanced down and saw a large diamond engagement ring on her finger. Shooting her gaze to his, she asked, "Where did you get this? It's beautiful!"

"My mother wanted you to have it. Her marriage still lives, even though my father is gone. She said she doesn't need a ring to remember him. What do you say, will you marry me?"

"I...I...Kane, I don't know what to say. You live here. I live in Toronto. I'm nearly impossible to deal with at times. I don't know if you could stand living with me."

He kissed her tenderly, melting her resistance.

"As long as you don't wear your lingerie for strangers on the internet, I think we'll get along just fine. We'll have to have open communication and be honest with each other. I promise you that I won't get so involved in work that I forget my family, if you promise to curb your swearing in front of the kids."

"Kids?" she cried. "We haven't even had the first one, and you're talking plural?"

"We can start with one first, but I think three or four sounds reasonable."

"What about my career?" A tear rolled down her cheek and he caught it with his lips. "I can't just stop being a cop when it's all I know."

"I'm sure my mother would enjoy babysitting for us on occasion. We can ask her."

"But she lives here, Kane. I don't know that I could stand living in the dark half of the year, and being cold all the time."

His lips caressed her neck. "Let's take some time, and you can think about it. For the next few months, you'll be getting used to Iqaluit, while the baby grows. When it's time to go back to Toronto, we can decide where we'll stay. Right now let me make love to you."

She tried to remove the ring, but his hand closed over hers.

"Leave it on. Let's see if it will grow on you."

"You're sure?" she asked, loath to remove it.

"I'm sure." Caressing her body with his hands, he moved back down to her pussy. He watched her eyes as she stared at the ring, thinking about her options. When he latched onto her clit, her eyes closed in ecstasy and she groaned.

All cult thoughts disappeared as she relaxed beneath his mouth. Holding her hips down with both hands, Kane worshiped her, his tongue dipping into her until she nearly came off the mattress. When he brought her to climax for the first time, he paused until it passed and then he brought her up a second time. She cried out his name.

"Kane, please, I need you inside me," Ry panted, gasping for breath.

"Not yet, my Corazon, but soon I'll be deep within you."

Her body trembling with passion, Ry dropped her head on the pillow and rocked it side to side as he continued his sweet torture. When he'd brought her to peak three more times, she screamed, trying to cover her mouth to be quiet. Pulling his hair, she tugged it to make him move upwards.

"No more," she cried. "Come here, now!"

"Yes, ma'am!" he laughed, moving back up until his lips met hers. She tasted herself on his mouth and moaned deeply.

"Come home, ice man. Come deep inside me." She kissed him hard, holding his head prisoner, unable to release him.

"What do you want, my Corazon?" he teased.

"You know what I want, brat! I want you!"

"Fair enough," he said, plunging deep into her.

He groaned as she welcomed him.

"Don't just sit there, move it!" she ordered him, wrapping her legs around his waist.

"Your wish is my command." Starting out slowly, he began to build up the pace, moving faster and faster, until she cried out with joy.

She gritted her teeth as her veins filled with fire, her body putty in his hands. Out of her mind with passion, she slipped her arms down beneath his and grabbed his buttocks, guiding his speed. She gave Kane no choice but to follow her lead. Soon, she met the brink of ecstasy, hissing as he tried to hold her back. One deep thrust later her hot pussy pulsed around him as she screamed. He followed her, releasing the burning hot seed deep within her body.

Gasping, Ry fell back on the bed. Kane dropped to her side and lay there with his palm resting over their child while she struggled to breathe normally. Ry suddenly cried out and rolled away from him, rushing to the bathroom.

***

Kane wondered if she'd fallen ill and followed her, but found the door locked tight. He heard the shower turn on. Perplexed, he wondered what was going on in her mind. He heard her sobbing.

"Ry? Can I come in there? Why are you crying?" he called.

"Just...just leave me alone for a while...please. I...I'll be okay soon. Please, don't come in here," she cried.

"All right, I'll wait out here for you, but if you need me, call out, okay?" Worried about her, he stood outside the door for the endless time that she showered. She never used to take so long.

Finally, forty-five minutes later, she emerged, subdued and silent. When he tried to pull her close, she pushed past him and walked over to her bag to get a nightgown. Once dressed, she curled up on a large plush chair and sat there shivering from head to toe.

Taking a large fluffy blanket, he covered her up and knelt at her feet.

"Ry, talk to me about it, please. What happened?"

"It's...I got past making love, but when we finished, I suddenly felt dirty...filthy!"

Thinking about the progress they'd made, he accepted it, and tried not to push her. Taking her hand, he kissed the knuckle on her ring finger.

"We have to beat down the walls one at a time. It's okay, Ry, we'll climb that mountain another time. Do you want to come to bed and cuddle up with me?"

"No! I..." Pausing, she became lost in thought. It took her a few minutes until he noticed that she became angry and defiant. "Yes, I do want to lie down and be with you. I'm going to start knocking those blasted walls down tonight. Take me to bed," she whispered, shuddering.

Relieved, he kissed her then lifted her, carrying her to bed. They soon lay curled up together for the night.

***

The crisp, cold morning air filled her lungs. The sky was a deep mauve and millions of stars scattered in a wide array. Ry gasped as she stared up at them.

"I've never seen this many stars before. We must be close to heaven."

Putting his arm around her, Kane pulled her close. "I know I'm close to heaven. I have you." His husky voice sent shivers of delight up her spine.

"You say the sweetest things. Are you taking lessons? You never spoke this way in Toronto." Ry stared up at him, a slow grin on her face.

"I held back," he snickered then led her toward his kennels.

The dogs went wild, barking and wagging their tails when they saw Kane approach.

"Boy, that sure could boost your ego. Do they always give you such a warm welcome?"

"Don't kid yourself, they love the food I give them too!"

Ry laughed, a breath of silver smoke coming from her mouth. She suffered the cold more than normal that morning. She wanted nothing more than to stay curled up in front of the fire, drinking hot chocolate, but Kane had asked her to come and see his team. She didn't have the heart to refuse.

"Would you like to come into the pen?" he asked, looking sideways at her.

She could see in his eyes that he expected her to refuse. Her chin lifted up a notch and she nodded.

"That's my girl." Taking her hand, he led her through the tall cage door and closed it tightly behind them.

The team lay down at his Inuit command, obeying him immediately. When he waved his hand in a sign side to side, the dogs lined up beside him.

"This is Adlartok, Aklak, Atka, Corazon, Purnaq, Suka and Kunikpok. Let me see...in English it's Clear Sky, Guardian Spirit, Brave, Heart, Fat, Fast, and Kisses."

She repeated the list, not missing one.

"Not bad! You have an excellent memory. The only ones you mixed up are Brave and Guardian Spirit." At another quick command, the dogs stood. "Adlartok, come ahead."

The dog leapt forward, quickly sitting at his master's feet as he wagged his tail. Kane petted his head, and then turned to Ry.

"Your turn."

Scrunching up her face, she asked, "Do you mean you want me to sit at your feet?"

Kane shook his head. "I want to introduce you to the dogs one by one. That way you'll get to know them. We're going to be traveling by dog sled soon, and I want you to be comfortable with them."

"That's a relief. I thought I'd have to take you to the mats again."

"I look forward to that, after the baby comes." Leaning over, he kissed her sweetly.

Adlartok whined and brushed Kane's leg with his paw.

"All right you, quit stealing the show. Adlartok, this is Ry. Shake hands."

Positioning himself at her feet, Adlartok placed his paw in the air in front of her, waiting for her to accept it. Ry didn't hesitate.

"Nice to meet you, fella."

One by one the dogs obeyed Kane's orders and greeted her the same way. When the last one sat in front of her, Ry laughed. Instead of handing her a paw, this one jumped up and kissed her face, happily licking her cheeks until Kane gave a terse order. Instantly, the dog returned to the line-up.

"Let me guess, that one is Kisses."

Chuckling, Kane put his arm around Ry as she wiped the slobber off her face.

"Now you know why we named her that."

"Of course. I'm glad you didn't call one of them 'Bite Me.'"

"Don't kid yourself, these dogs run as a pack, and would kill if it meant their safety or mine."

"But they seem tame."

"So do you, but I wouldn't want to be the guy who got in your way in a shootout. You are one dangerous chick!"

"Chick?" Giving him a dirty glare, she put her hands on her hips and faced him. The dogs started growling.

Kane barked an order at them and then snickered. "See what I mean? Neither you nor my dogs would be easy to face down."

Staring at the line-up, Ry shook her head.

"Joking! I was only joking!"

Throwing back his head, Kane laughed aloud.

"Let's go have some breakfast. I fed these kids an hour ago."

"Sure, feed the dogs before the mother of your child!"

"I always save the best for last," he teased.

Arm in arm, they walked slowly back to the house and the dogs barked loudly to get their attention. Shouting one Inuit word, Kane stopped them. Silence filled the air.

"I think I prefer to have the dogs barking. This is unlike Toronto; I've never experienced such quiet before," Ry murmured.

"I can get them barking again if you'd care to hear them."

"No! Naga!" she cried, giggling. "I can learn to enjoy the quiet."

"Good. So, where do you think you'd want to live when our child is born?" His serious tone held a note of hope in it.

"Ah, I'm not ready to decide. Please give me some time, Kane. It's not an easy decision."

"Fair enough."

Ahead of them, two men left the house at the third exit door. They'd clothed themselves in warm red parkas that matched the serge beneath. Ry had met the RCMP officers when she'd arrived in Iqualit.

Though they lived in the attached apartment beside Kane's family, they were seldom in residence, going where they were needed.

"They're back. I want you to meet them, Ry."

"Hey, don't they need horses?" she whispered, grinning.

Biting back laughter, Kane murmured, "They only use polar bears up here."

"Polar bears?" Ry's eyes widened with fake innocence.

"Come on, silly, I'll introduce you to them."

The men noticed the couple right away and began walking toward them. One man grinned, while the other had a serious expression on his face.

"Aaron Handson, Jace Willoby, I'd like you to meet Ry Sanders, my fiancée."

Kane's statement nearly made Ry gasp. He squeezed her arm and let it go.

She shook both men's hands.

"It's nice to meet you," she said seriously.

"Congratulations! Anytime you have a problem, just give us a call. We work out of a different office than Nanuq does, but we're always on call," Aaron offered.

"We'd better go. We'll be late." Jace nodded, and started walking.

"He's always afraid we'll be late. I've been trying to get him to loosen up for years." Aaron had spoken in a conspiratorial whisper, but loud enough for Jace to hear him. When the man snorted, Aaron winked at Ry and followed him to their snowmobiles.

The couple watched them go before heading into the house to start their day. Ry had begun to love living in the great north. She didn't say anything to Kane in case he started pressuring her to stay. She truly missed Toronto.

***

"You have your orders. Do you have any questions?" the master asked.

Shaking his head, the quiet man held out his hand. Slim yet built with hard muscles, the man stood well over six feet tall. He'd dressed in army fatigues and carried an arsenal of weapons that he'd tucked into his clothes and boots. Having been dishonorably discharged from the army for using extreme violence to kill the enemy overseas, he'd become a killer for hire.

"You realize that you're dealing with two cops. I don't want the woman harmed in any way."

The man nodded again as he continued to hold out his hand. When his new boss paid him fifty thousand dollars in cash, he took the money and counted it in silence. Satisfied, he turned to leave.

"I'll give you the other half when you bring her to me unharmed. I expect to hear from you within two weeks."

Without turning around, the ex-soldier closed the door gently. He seldom brought attention to himself. He'd already made arrangements to fly up north to find his quarry. The pleasure came not from the amount of money in his pocket, but the thought of the hunt and capture of his prey. If anyone saw the expression in his eyes at that moment, they would feel fear rippling up their spines.

He climbed into his Jeep and glanced at his survival gear, taking note of anything he might have missed. Nodding, he turned around and started the Jeep, beginning his journey.
Chapter 13

Ry was getting used to being off work, having taken enough time off so that she could have the baby, and spend a few months with him or her. Groaning, Ry tried to roll out of bed, but became stuck. She didn't want Kane laughing at her, but the baby had grown big enough that now, at seven months pregnant, she had a hard time, not only getting out of bed, but out of chairs, the bathtub, the shower, and even off the snowmobile. Ry found numerous stretch marks on her belly and breasts. Nothing about the pregnancy made her appear to be attractive.

Kissing her neck, Kane asked, "Need a hand?"

"Oh, shut up. You got me into this mess, now help me up."

He climbed out of his side of the bed and came to help her. Seconds later, she stood, holding her heavy belly with both hands.

"I don't think I'm going to make it this time," she cried.

Immediately Kane scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bathroom. Gently lowering her to the carpet, he stepped back.

"Go! I can pee by myself," she snapped.

Kane winked at her and then closed the door and left her.

Shaking her head, she struggled to remove enough of her warm night clothing to bare her lower body, and sat down with a sigh. Today Kane would take her via sled dogs into town for her check-up.

"I resemble a walrus," she murmured.

"Time for breakfast. Do you need help getting dressed?" Kane asked through the door.

"What do I have to wear?"

"Your outer wear is your parka and pants. What you wear beneath them is up to you."

"How about a potato sack?" she grumbled. Staring down at her large belly, she wondered if she'd be able to make it another six weeks until her due date. She decided that touching her toes was out of the question.

She heard him chuckling from the other side of the door.

"You keep that up and I'm going to take you to the mats hard enough that you won't know what hit you."

The chuckling stopped, but she knew he laughed in silence. Ry bit back her own chuckle. She'd never been so happy in her life.

After washing her hands, she opened the door, about to blast him, when he pulled her close and kissed her passionately. Kane's hands roamed over her aching back, making her groan with relief.

When she finally pulled away, she shook her head in disgust. "You make it damned hard to stay angry at you, mister."

He kissed her lightly once again. "Good. I'll kiss you into submission every time you get mad at me, and we'll have a perfect marriage."

"I haven't married you yet."

"Marry me today."

"Kane...we've been through this before. You live here, I live in Toronto..."

"Yada, yada, yada... It doesn't matter! I'm going to be with you and my child, no matter where we are. We're partners, and I want you to marry me to give our child my name and to share it with you."

"So...would my name be Ryland Nanuq?"

"If you wish, or—"

"I don't want your Inuit name, Amaruq! Sorry pal, but the guys and gals at the precinct would never let me forget it!"

Kane sighed, dragging his fingers through his long hair. "Listen, we've been going around in circles about this for months now, and we're running out of time. My son or daughter will have my name, whether it's Amaruq or Nanuq. If you don't want it then fine, keep your own name, but we're getting married, and that's final!" he shouted. Slamming the door behind him as he left the bedroom, he finally had the last word.

"At least he learned something from me," she muttered, staring at the closed door. Looking at her belly, she wondered how she'd be able to get dressed. She placed her hand on her tummy as the child pushed a foot out, leaving an imprint.

"I'm as impatient as you, little one. You're going to love your daddy to death. He's a dream come true."

At a knock on the door, she walked to the bed and covered up with a blanket before calling out for them to enter.

The door opened to Kara's smiling face.

"Kane said you might need some help getting dressed this morning. He's rather grumpy today, isn't he?"

"It's his persistence in getting me to marry him. I keep saying no, he keeps ordering me to do it," Ry shrugged.

Kara burst out laughing as she picked out some warm clothing for Ry.

"You two remind me of my husband and me, just before we married. He became persistent enough that eventually I gave in. I knew I'd marry him all along, but I wanted to make sure he wanted it too, not because it was expected."

"I'll bet you weren't knocked up at the time." Sighing, Ry let Kara help her with her socks and warm thermal underwear, pulling it high over her belly. Then she donned a pair of thick corduroy pants, a t-shirt, and thick sweater.

"I'm a walrus!" she grumbled.

Kara brushed her hand over Ry's soft cheek and smiled.

"You look beautiful, daughter. You'll have the child before you know it, and then you'll wish you still carried it. This is the most precious time of your life. Try to enjoy it."

After releasing a deep sigh, Ry nodded, accepting Kara's wisdom. She managed to stand up, quite uncomfortable.

"Now we eat, and then throw on even more clothing until I can barely move. All this to see the doctor."

"Ry, darling, you love going dog sledding with Kane. He always keeps you safe, and when you come back, you're both smiling. It'll be a good day for you."

"Right as usual, Kara. I can't help but smile when those sweet puppies seem eager to take us for a ride."

"Don't kid yourself, Ry. Those dogs are dangerous too. They're trained to protect us as well as to be loving and gentle. Don't forget Kane's teachings. He taught you the words to get help from the dogs. I hope you never forget them. Inuit can be a treacherous place if you're not careful." Finished helping Ry dress, Kara led her down the hall to the kitchen.

"Today we eat eggs and caribou steak with toast," Kara said, laughing.

Since getting used to the different types of meat the Amaruq's ate, Ry's stomach had toughened up, and she'd quit throwing up months ago, yet the family still warned her what she would be eating ahead of time. It always made her laugh.

"Are they pterodactyl eggs? Turtle eggs? Oh, I know...white fox eggs!"

The family laughed at Ry.

"Foxes don't lay eggs, Auntie Ry," Ally said, a confused expression on her face. The kids had decided to call her Auntie since she'd become part of the family.

"Oh, sorry, little sunshine, I guess I mixed that up again." Ry kissed the young girl on her nose. Taking her cheeks in her hands, she whispered, "Is it fish eggs again?"

"No, silly. Uncle Kane got the eggs from town. They're chicken eggs." Her loud whisper had everyone laughing.

"Thank goodness. Next thing you know he's going to go out to sea to bring back whale eggs, and you know they won't fit in the house!" Glancing down at her belly, Ry laughed. "Neither will I, for that matter."

The child glanced up at Kane with tears in her eyes. "Uncle Kane, can you make the house bigger then Auntie Ry can stay with us?"

Picking the four-year-old up in his arms, he said, "For you, I'll make the house twice as big if we can't fit Auntie Ry inside." Whispering into her ear loudly, he said, "Maybe I'd better get started on that soon!"

The little one laughed in delight. Kane put her down. "Now finish your snail eggs before someone else does."

"Snail?" Ry cried.

"I'm kidding. They're chicken eggs. I promised I'd tell you if they weren't."

Ry and the child kept their eyes on each other as they tasted the eggs carefully. When Ry winked, the little one began shoveling the food into her mouth.

***

The dogs flew over the snow, pulling Ry and Kane. Ry lay snuggled up under a ton of blankets on the sleigh while Kane stood behind her yelling orders to his dogs. The dark days shed little light. They used large flashlights to light the way.

"It seems ridiculous to make those poor babies take me all the way to Iqaluit for a check-up. Maybe we should turn around and cancel the appointment?" she yelled back at Kane.

"Nonsense. Our child is going to be born healthy and strong like its daddy. We're nearly halfway there now. Relax. There aren't any bumps in the road. It should be smooth sailing."

"Isn't it funny how Kisses won't harness up until she gets to say hi to me?"

"You've spoiled her. She used to be a good dog."

Tilting her head back, she met his gaze. "Ha! She only needed a woman to show her how special she is. Men only care about mush!"

Throwing back his head, Kane laughed. Suddenly, she heard the sound of a shot and Kane flew off the sled, dropping to the snow. The sled kept going.

Ry screamed, "Kane!" Remembering his orders to the dogs, she shouted for them to stop, and took the reins, ordering them to turn around. When they arrived at Kane's side, she made sure the sled stopped in front of his body based on where she thought the shot had come from. Slipping off the side, she turned Kane over and saw blood on his chest. Scrambling for the radio, she called for help.

"SOS, this is Detective Ryland Sanders. Kane Nanuq has been shot, and we need help fast. We are sledding from his home, and are halfway to town. Hang on, and I'll get the GPS to give you the correct coordinates."

"Inspector Harry Benson here, are you all right, Ry? Copy!"

Ry kept him waiting as she found the GPS and turned it on. "Here are the coordinates, Harry." She quickly told him their location. "I've got to help Kane now. Hang on."

Taking the first aid kit, she carefully opened his parka and found a bullet hole in his upper chest. Shuddering, she checked for a pulse. "He's alive!" She pressed gauze over the top of the wound, pressing hard, and then picked up the radio with her free hand.

"He's alive. His wound is—"

"Doesn't matter. I'll just have to shoot him again. Drop the radio, Samantha."

Hearing a click, she turned to face her adversary. He wore a balaclava similar to the Web Cleanser's, but she knew it wasn't him. He had a rifle cocked and ready to shoot.

"You are not shooting him again, buster. Who are you?"

The man came to her side and lifted her by the arm to her feet. He aimed the rifle at Kane's head. Ry shoved the muzzle aside in time and the bullet burst into the snow beside him.

Grabbing her arm more tightly, the killer snarled, "One more move like that, and I'm going to shoot your kid."

Rage filled Ry's mind as she fought to protect her family. With her free hand she aimed for the man's nose with the heel of her hand, hearing a resounding snap as his nose broke. He dropped the gun and grabbed his nose with both hands, shouting.

Ry reached for the gun, but he moved faster and knocked her over. She landed on her side on top of the gun. As he came closer, she waited. Once he was near enough, reaching down for the gun, she did a side kick into his groin. Again he screamed and fell down, gasping for air.

When he'd slightly recovered, he charged her with venom in his eyes.

Ry yelled one word to the dogs and they attacked him, pulling him back from her. She fell hard, screaming with pain as her belly protested. Crawling to Kane's side, she checked him for a pulse and found it thready, but he still lived. Scrambling to his other side, she grabbed the radio. The dogs viciously attacked the man, who lay face down and not moving. She shouted for them to stop, and they immediately obeyed her.

"Harry? Things are getting bad out here. Please hurry."

"He's on his way. Hang in there. The helicopter should be there in minutes, Ry," the dispatcher said.

"Kane...he's in bad shape. He has to get to the hospital fast!" she cried.

For the first time in her adult life, Ry couldn't help but be terrified. She'd lost the ability to be in control, and therefore her steel reserve. The protective walls that she'd built up over the years had finally crashed to the ground in an earthquake of emotions.

"Please, please hurry!" she cried. Suddenly she doubled over with agonizing pain.

"My baby! I think it's coming. I'm only seven and a half months along. Oh, God! Do something!"

"I'll make sure the hospital is aware, Ry. My name is Dillon. I'm RCMP. You should see the helicopter now."

Hearing the whir of the propellers, she glanced up, but the snow had started and she couldn't see them yet. Pulling a flare out of the emergency pack, she lit it and planted it into the ground.

"Bitch!" A voice filled with pure hatred had her turning around.

He had survived the dogs and now held a pistol on her.

"I don't care if he wanted only you. I got fifty grand out of him. He can keep the other half. I'm going to strip you down and screw you. Then, I'm going to put my hand around your neck and snap it. You filthy bitch!" he snarled. His face was a mass of blood and cuts. Teeth marks marred his hands also. Blood poured down his face onto the ground.

"Like hell you are," she panted, fighting a second contraction.

"Doesn't matter to me if you're dead when I do it, but I enjoy hearing women scream for mercy. Now, take off your clothes, or I'll do it for you."

Yanking a long hunting knife from his boot, he started toward her.

Ry scrambled away from Kane, figuring that he would be safe. She tried to get up, but another contraction hit and she curled up into a ball of wild burning pain.

"Just as well. I'm going to kill the kid anyway." He still moved forward step-by-step.

About to call the dogs, she stopped when he said, "I'll kill each and every one of them when I'm done with you. You say one word to them, and you're dead."

"Fifty grand. That's not much when it comes to trying to take me from here." She tried to distract him. She moved closer to the flare.

"No worries. I plan on taking the rest of it from him before I find a place to hide."

"He...ahhhh...he doesn't pay well, does he?"

"No, but there are many more people similar to him out there. I'm ready for a long vacation in a hot place. Who the hell would want to live here in this godforsaken place?"

Ry suddenly recalled her time in Iqaliut, and all the wonderful people she'd met, and grinned.

"I would." Pulling out Kane's handgun that she'd snatched from him, she shot the man four times in the chest. His scream matched hers as a pain tore through her body. When he dropped to the ground, she knew that someone stood behind her and swung her head and arm, pointing the gun at him.

"It's me, Harry. It's okay now. We're here to help." Two others stood behind him.

"I...I think...I got him," she panted, then passed out.

***

The white ceiling spun when she saw it. Ah, crap, not another hospital!

Turning to her left, she saw Harry standing there, a woebegone expression on his face.

"If you're here to tell me he's dead, you can go to hell. Kane's made of granite. No one can kill him."

"Kane's holding his own. It's the baby..." Harry said.

Gasping, she reached for her stomach and cried out when she found the baby gone.

"Noooo!" she screamed.

Harry took her hand. "Ry, listen to me. The baby is alive, but he's fighting for his life right now. He's six weeks early, and that's not good for a child. You have to hold yourself together now, and help him live."

"It's a boy? I want to see him. I want to see Kane too! Take me to them, damn it!" she cried.

"You've been through a lot of trauma yourself, Ry. You had an emergency caesarean section. You have to take it easy."

"I can't take anything easy, Harry. In my life I've lost too many people I love. I can't...I won't lose any more. I want to see them both. Now!"

"All right. The nurse is bringing a wheelchair."

"I don't need a stinking wheelchair!"

"Yes, you do. If you split those stitches, you'll be in the hospital for an extra few weeks with another surgery on top of it. Is that what you want?" he asked gently.

Ry thought she'd pop out of her skin.

"Which one of them is in worse shape?"

"They are both about the same right now. Kane's coming out of surgery, and the baby is in ICU. You can see them both at the same time."

"What are you waiting for? Find that nurse!" she demanded.

Quickly, an Inuit nurse rushed in with her wheelchair. Ry was ready to leap into it, but Harry lifted her up and gently put her down in the chair.

"Hurry, please! Take me to my men." Ry wanted the wheelchair to move faster than light. Dizziness washed over her and the room spun for a moment.

"Breathe deeply, Snow Fire. Breathe deeply," Harry cautioned.

"Snow Fire?" she asked in a faraway voice.

"You are similar to both. Snow and fire. I decided it's an appropriate Inuit name for you."

Harry fell quiet when he wheeled her into ICU. The nurses had placed Kane beside the baby. Machines and tubes had been hooked up to the incubator, the baby's heartbeat thumping quick and loud. Kane's monitor showed his strong heartbeat.

Ry put her fingertips to the side of the incubator and tears filled her eyes.

"How is he?" she whispered.

The nurse stood behind her. "He's holding his own. He's a strong boy. Six pounds, two ounces. Most premature babies are a lot smaller at that age."

After staring at him for an endless moment, his tiny fingers clutching her finger, she glanced over at Kane. A thick lock of hair had fallen into his eyes, the rest of it pulled back into a ponytail. He lay there asleep, much paler than normal.

"And Kane?" she murmured, afraid to ask.

"He had one bullet removed. It hit close to his shoulder and missed all the important organs, including his lungs. We didn't have a hard time removing it and he should be okay in a few days." The nurse smiled and left them.

Ry gently let go of the baby and picked up Kane's hand. That's when she realized that she still wore his engagement ring.

"Harry, here's what I want you to do..."

Harry left the room at a run, leaving Ry with her two boys. A few minutes later Kara and Kayla rushed in.

"You're just in time. As soon as he wakes up, he has a surprise coming," Ry whispered.

"I'm awake. Surprise me now," Kane murmured, squeezing her hand.

"Turn to your left and look at your son, moron!" she said, tears in her eyes.

Kane turned his head, a confused expression on his face.

"What do you mean by moron? And since when do babies come this early?"

"You ever get yourself shot again, and so help me I'll take you to the mats and whip your hide!" Ry snapped.

Kane winced and then stared at Ry, who watched him for a reaction.

"I promise not to get shot again, but I look forward to taking you out on the mats."

"It's not funny!" She pulled her hand away as tears formed.

Kara moved forward to be near her son.

"What are we going to name your boy?" she asked Ry.

Kane spoke up. "Iqniq! It means fire. His mother is like meteor fires. I'd want him to be called Iqniq Nanuq, but we can nickname him Fire."

Battling the tears, Ry turned, and cried out, "He'll only carry the name Nanuq if you stop getting yourself shot or stabbed. I'll not marry a dead man!"

Kane met her gaze.

"I didn't plan on—"

"Oh, be quiet!" she said, turning her head away to stare at their son. In a hoarse whisper, she continued, "Besides, his name is Sanders until you prove otherwise."

"His name is Nanuq!" Kane said, his voice low and gritty.

"Sanders!"

Breaking into the mix, Kara said quietly, "I think we should call him Tuuluuwaq."

Stunned, Ry glanced over her shoulder at Kara.

"What does that mean?"

"It means a fierce, intelligent, fearless raven. What about calling him Raven Nanuq?"

"Oh." Ry thought about it for a minute. "Raven, I like it."

"He's my son too," Kane said softly, then groaned in pain.

Harry and another Inuit man walked into the room.

"I guess we're just in time to do a proper naming ceremony," Harry said, offering his one-sided grin.

When Kayla wouldn't meet Harry's gaze, Kane shot a glance at her.

"What's going on?" Kane asked.

"Do you want to marry your woman, or don't you?" Harry asked.

"Hell yes, but I doubt she'll have me." Kane's eyes sought hers, but Ry refused to meet his gaze.

"Ryland Sanders, will you marry me now?"

Struggling against tears, she nodded, keeping her eyes on the baby.

"Yes! Ow!" Kane cried, holding his shoulder.

"This is the strangest ceremony I've ever performed," the minister mumbled. He glanced at a shot groom, a new mother, and a premature infant, all in one hospital room.

"You better do it now before I change my mind. I hear there's a plane headed out for Toronto this afternoon," Ry mumbled.

"Over my dead body," Kane said.

"Then don't you ever die on me, Kane Nanuq! Don't you dare die on me!" she cried, releasing a sob.

The baby started crying and Kara rushed over to quiet him. Ry wanted to hold him, but she had to wait until the doctor permitted it.

Staring at Ry, Kane's eyes softened. He pulled her hand gently closer to him with his good arm and kissed it.

"I'll do my best to keep in top form for you, my love, my Corazon. That is, if you do the same. No more getting kidnapped!"

She gave a wet chuckle and then nodded. Carefully, she got to her feet and kissed him tenderly.

"Hey, that's supposed to be the last part of the ceremony. You two knock it off!" Harry grumbled.

"Yes, let's get this official business under way. Do you, Kaneo Amaruq..."

"Kane Nanuq," he corrected, gazing into Ry's eyes.

"Okay, do you Kane Nanuq, take thee, Ryland Sanders as your lawful wife..."

Moments later, they officially said their marriage vows and young Raven Fire Nanuq had been christened. Harry, as the best man, escorted Kayla, the matron of honor, out the door, leaving the happy family alone. Kara rushed away down the hall with the minister on some excuse.

Kane kissed Ry until she moaned in pain.

"Sit down, woman. I want you healthy so we can get on with our lives."

Carefully sitting in the wheelchair with the nurse's help, she hissed as the pain increased.

"In case you didn't notice, ice man, we already have."
Chapter 14

One month later, the family began decorating the large house for Christmas. Kane, Ry, and Raven became close as they spent every possible minute together. Unfortunately, Ry couldn't breastfeed, and they had to use bottles of formula to feed him. Kara held her grandson most often, having fallen utterly in love with him. Even the little ones were fascinated with the boy.

With Christmas around the corner, spirits lifted and Ry's situation, though not forgotten, was put on a back burner. When an RCMP officer arrived with a letter addressed to Ry and Nanuq, the couple therefore dreaded opening it.

It came from the precinct in Toronto. Ry took a deep breath and started reading.

We regret to inform you that Chief Irving has passed away. Your new leader is Chief Edwards. We look forward to your arrival soon, as there have been two more serial killings.

Sincerely, Chief Edwards.

"No way! He can't be dead. This is just a ruse to get us back to Toronto. It's a lie!" Ry cried, slamming the paper down on the table.

Kane did his best to soothe her, but she didn't want anyone near her.

"Honey, it's true. An RCMP officer delivered it. You need to phone Carla or O'Roark to confirm it."

"Yes! I'll phone Carla. Oh, that means we have to go to town. We only have radio here." Now that she had a purpose, she stood up fast.

Taking her by the shoulders, Kane sat her back down.

"I'll get Harry to bring you the radio. It's tricky, but it works," Kane said.

Twenty minutes later, Ry spoke to Carla through the line, but a loud buzzing sound made it difficult to hear her.

"Carla? I received a letter saying that the chief died. Is this true?" Ry asked.

"It's true, buddy. He died at his desk from a massive coronary. We couldn't do anything to bring him back. We tried. I'm sorry, Ry, I know how much you admired him."

Handing the radio microphone to Kane, she left the room in a daze. Closing the bedroom door behind her, she returned to the bed and lay on her side, curled up into a ball. For a long time she stared into space, thinking about the chief, and all the times she'd fought with him. They'd had a good time with their fights. She'd caught him grinning once after she'd left the office door open. He'd been like a father to her. The bedroom door opened quietly behind her, but she ignored it. Kane's soothing arms surrounded her as he held her.

"Everybody I love dies on me. They'll take you next, and then Raven. I'll be alone again. I'm tired of being alone, Kane." Tears pricked her eyes as he turned her to face him.

Loving brown eyes filled with compassion gazed down at her.

"My fire, everyone has their time. We never know when. At least he died quickly with only a little pain. Imagine him laid out in a hospital bed for months. He'd have gone nuts."

"I'm going to Toronto, and you're staying here with Raven. I trust you to take care of him." Ry tried pushing him away.

"Oh no, you don't. You're not going to face the Web Cleanser alone. If it's my turn to die, then so be it, but I'm not letting you do this alone. Do you hear me?" Kane demanded.

"Let me go!" she cried, shoving at his shoulder.

"No! You're my wife, and we work together now. Where you go, I go!"

Turning, she gave him her best expression of fury. "Well, I'm going to the bathroom and you are not coming with me; now let me go."

Staring down at her for a moment, it seemed as though he didn't believe her. Finally, he did as she said. Ry leaped off the bed and headed to the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

***

"How do I get away without him knowing?" Ry thought aloud. Darkness had fallen hours ago, and soon the family would be getting ready for bed.

She figured that once she entered the mud room, no one would hear her putting on her gear. Then, should she use the dogs? No, it would take too much time, and make a whole lot of noise. The snowmobile! She grinned. Turn the key, press the gas, and off she'd go.

Ry spent an hour dressing, putting on thermal underwear and a warm flannel shirt with thick jeans. She pretended to pout, refusing to meet Kane's gaze, while she prepared her escape. Kane had worked with Harry all day and claimed to be exhausted. She figured that she'd delay going to bed and then head out the door in no time.

Raven cried out. Picking up the tiny child, she held him close to her breast and fought back tears. He'd become a part of her now. She didn't think she could leave him to go on her mission. Brushing her fingers through his silky black curls, she sighed. He resembled Kane. She imagined him growing up looking like his dad, and the two sharing a hunting trip together.

If the Web Cleanser beat her, Kane would have to raise their son alone. She'd be damned if she'd lose, especially to someone she'd begun to know well during her captivity. It made sense to her that the master might be behind the whole deal, but she knew Laughing Boy did the actual killing, or cleansing as he put it.

"What are you doing?" Kane asked from behind her. She hid the fact that he'd startled her.

"The baby started fussing. I can't believe how fast he's grown in the past five weeks. I can't believe...that we almost lost him." Snuggling him closer, Ry sniffed his baby scent, loving it.

"He's safe here. Next week I'll take you to Toronto and we'll finish what we started."

"Next week!" she cried. Quickly, she shushed the startled child.

"Yes. We have some work to do in town, and then I'm free to leave."

"Kane, the killings have begun again. Next week is too long!"

"Next week, or you stay here while I go myself."

Realizing he'd think her submissive, she nodded, keeping her eyes on the baby.

"Okay, Kane. Next week."

Quietly, he closed the bedroom door, leaving her and their son alone.

Gently, she kissed his brow. "Raven," she whispered. "I know you're too little to understand, but I have to go and stop the bad people from hurting others. I love you with all my heart. Please stay safe, and listen to your daddy and your grandmother."

For another hour, she rocked him in a chair and whispered sweet nothings to him.

Kane opened the door.

"You coming to bed?" he asked gently.

"In a little while. I love holding him. He's such a sweet baby."

Kneeling down beside his wife and child, he brushed Raven's hair gently with his large fingers. Offering the baby his finger, he watched as the tiny fingers curled around the tip. Kane smiled. "My other kids carried to full term. He's so small that he almost resembles a little doll, doesn't he?" Kane yawned.

"He does. Why don't you go on to bed? I'll be along in a few minutes. I need to change him first, and I think he's due a bottle." Kissing Raven on his curls, Ry kept her eyes on the baby.

"Okay. Don't be long. I need you to keep me warm."

Ry laughed softly. "As if! You're the one who's a human furnace. Now go to bed."

Chuckling softly, he kissed her with tender lips and left them.

Changing the baby quickly, she took him to the kitchen and heated up a bottle for him, then went back into the nursery and fed him. She put him on her shoulder and burped him afterwards. He fell asleep and she carefully placed him in the crib, pulling his covers up. She glanced at the clock to find it well past midnight.

One last time, she stared down at Raven and fought the tears. She hoped she would be able to come back again to hold him, kiss him, and love him. She had to catch the killer fast. She wanted to spend her life with Kane, Raven, and the family. She'd finally found a home for the little orphan she'd been. Taking a deep breath, she closed the bedroom door in silence and made her way down the darkened hall to the mud room.

***

An hour later, Ry cursed her husband up one side and down the other. He'd known she'd try to escape alone and taken the distributor cables out of the snowmobile. Ry had to find a pair of snowshoes that fit and an emergency pack before she started the ten-mile trek to town.

She'd made it halfway there when her legs starting to get wobbly.

When Kane trained her to survive in the tundra, he'd said that no matter what, don't stop to rest unless you're with others. If you fall asleep, you're a goner. She believed him. The endless night began to get colder than she ever remembered winter being. She'd covered her entire body head-to-toe in winter gear, with goggles covering her eyes. She shivered as her sweat began to freeze. Stubborn and determined, she kept going.

"Just one foot in front of the other," she murmured. "One foot in front of the other."

***

In the silence, Harry's radio cracked and he jumped up, running his fingers through his hair.

"Benson here," he barked into the unit.

"Nanuq. I have a runaway wife, and I think she's been out there for at least four hours, alone. She's using snowshoes. I'm heading out on the snowmobile, but I need you or someone coming from the other way. That crazy fool woman...I ought to—"

"Nanuq! We'll get some guys out there. You get started. Out."

In minutes, Harry rushed into his office and began loading up with emergency rations, directing three officers to help him find a rebellious wife.

***

"Damn!" Ry noticed her flashlight beginning to dim. "I don't think I saw batteries in the pack. At least the GPS lights up." The half-moon shed some light for her to go by, and she kept walking after taking a long drink of water. It was quiet out on the tundra. If it had been daylight, she could have seen for miles.

"I wonder if my darling husband has figured out I've flown the coop yet. Boy, is he going to be angry at me!" She figured by the GPS that she'd made it two-thirds of the way to town.

A sudden disturbance in the quiet startled her. It sounded suspiciously like a bear growling. Keeping her pace, she reached into her bag for her gun. With the thick gloves on she couldn't hold it properly. She waited to see if the predator loomed any closer. The flashlight finally died, but she held onto it. Now she walked under the faint light of the moon.

Having never faced down a bear before, Ry shuddered. Her adrenaline kicked into high gear. She had a husband and a child, and nobody or nothing would take them away from her. She had to survive.

Ry could now hear panting as the creature stalked her. She didn't dare turn her head yet. She had to wait for the right moment. Chills clawed up her spine as she heard the pad of soft paws on the snow behind her.

Suddenly, she spun around. "What do you want? Eh?" she shouted.

The bear stopped in place, then stood on its hind legs and roared at her. It stood well over six feet tall. Pearly white teeth glared at her while viciously long claws pawed the air. The pelt alone would have covered her entire living room floor at home.

"Get the hell out of here!" Screaming at the top of her lungs, she tried to scare the creature. It froze for a moment then roared again.

Taking off her glove, Ry shot twice into the air, but the bear didn't run.

"Don't make me kill you. You're on an endangered list, aren't you?"

The bear tilted its head and dropped to its paws. Slowly it walked closer to Ry, sniffing the air.

"I don't wear perfume. You'd better not be searching for a meal," she said quietly.

Backing slowly away from the beast, she kept the gun pointed straight at its temple but the bitter cold air began to numb her fingers.

"Back! Go back!" she shouted. It still came forward. Another loud roar had Ry shuddering. "Wait, I've got food in my bag," she said. Pulling out an apple, she threw it toward the bear. It landed at its feet. The bear studied it for a moment, then scooped the apple up with its claws and ate it in one bite.

"Gee, what a pig. Here, take a sandwich. Maybe the mayo will give you a coronary and then I can get out of here." Throwing it, wrapping and all, she continued her backward pace.

Once again it ate it up in one gulp, leaving Ry running low on options. The bear stood tall once again, its breath coming out of its mouth in a cloud of steam.

"Okay, you want more. I know this little diner in town. I doubt you'd fit past the door but they'd definitely have some scraps for you. I'm on my way there now. You keep following, unless you have something better to do, such as go fishing or something?"

It came at her, and she raised her gun. She suddenly couldn't pull the trigger. Her fingers had frozen. She tried to remove her other glove, but couldn't move fast enough. The bear had her flat on her back in seconds, its deadly teeth just inches from her face.

"I'm sorry, Kane, Raven. I failed you both!" she cried, as the weight of the bear bore down on her.

***

Harry stopped a hundred feet from the bear and waited patiently for his chance to kill it. Unfortunately the distance wouldn't ensure a good clean shot. He moved on silent feet toward Ry. The two Mounties behind him couldn't help either. Remembering Kayla's husband and how he'd only wounded the bear, Harry shuddered. If he didn't get a perfect shot, the bear would go wild and slice Ry to ribbons before they could get a second shot. He stilled his shaking hands and finally moved in close enough. Down on one knee, he aimed for the skull, the teeth inches away from Ry's throat.

Bang! He hit true, and the bear fell straight down, landing on Ry. The three men rushed over and shoved the thousand-pound bear off her as quickly as they could. One of the Mounties made sure the bear had been killed.

***

Lying on her back staring up at the sky, Ry struggled for breath, speechless for once.

"Are you all right, Ry?" Harry asked.

She could only nod slightly.

"We'd better get you to the hospital."

She shook her head vehemently, bound and determined not to go there.

Her gun remained frozen in her hand. Harry gently removed it and placed her glove on.

"We need to see if you have frostbite or hypothermia. You're going, got it?"

Giving Harry her best intimidating stare didn't work. They placed her on a board and wrapped her up tightly then they walked her to their snowmobiles and connected her to one. All the way to the hospital she grumbled about men, and their alpha male attitudes, relieved that at least Kane didn't know she'd left him.

***

As soon as Harry carried her into the hospital emergency room she knew she'd been kidding herself. Kane stood leaning against a wall with an expression of pure anger in his eyes. Instead of trying to talk to him, she turned her head away.

She had minor frostbite on a few of her fingers. After dressing, Ry bent over to put on her moccasin boot, but a large hand got to it first.

"I'm going, and you can't stop me." Ry didn't glance up at him once.

"Go. Who's stopping you? You want to abandon me and our son, so be it."

"I'm not abandoning you, I have to stop the Web Cleanser!"

"Because you are the only cop in the world who can do it, right? Fine. The plane's waiting for you. Goodbye!" Turning, Kane walked away without another word.

"Kane, I..."

He disappeared behind a door. In a flash he'd walked out of her life. Pain washed over her like the waves in a monsoon. Once again she'd lost everyone she loved.

"He'll get over his anger. You have a plane waiting. I'll escort you there," Harry said.

Ry could tell by the expression on his face that he too thought her wrong. Raising her chin a notch, she walked past him to the front doors. They climbed on his snowmobile and took off at a fast pace for the airport.

A man she didn't know piloted the plane. Before she climbed in, Harry put his hand on her arm.

"I hope you find what you're searching for. Sometimes there are other things more important than being a cop."

"Thank you, Harry. And thanks for saving my life."

"Goodbye."

Closing the door, she watched as the pilot maneuvered the plane out into the runway. Ry turned to glance back at Harry, but he'd become a white blob in the snow. She had no fear of flying, she realized. She wanted to tell Kane, but then decided that she'd probably never see him again. Tears filled her eyes as she sat back and watched the clouds go by. Her real fear had nothing to do with the Web Cleanser, but that she'd ruined her marriage, and her whole life.
Chapter 15

Standing in the hallway of the precinct, Ry couldn't believe all of the changes in the main room. She noticed some new cops, but O'Roark still sat at his desk, Carla, right beside him. They both nodded at her. She'd been gone for months, and yet they acted as though they barely knew her. Puzzled, she walked down the aisle and made her way to her old office.

Opening the door, she stopped in her tracks, stunned. Two new cops sat at her and Kane's desks, and the entire room had been reorganized, the desks rearranged. One cop met her gaze.

"What can I do for you, officer?" she asked.

"Well, this is my office, and that is my desk. I want to get back to work."

The other cop gave her a smirk.

"Oh, you must be Sanders. You've been moved to the main hall."

"You don't say!" Slamming the door behind her, Ry headed for the chief's office. Opening the door, she walked in and stood with her hands on her hips, staring at the new chief. The forty-something blonde spoke on the phone and glanced at Ry in annoyance.

"I'll call you back. I have an issue to deal with." Gently placing the phone on the hook, she sat back and studied Ry. Dressed for work without her firearm, she appeared to be the same as any woman off the street, but the chief obviously knew her.

"I didn't expect you until next week, Detective. Come in and sit down. Close the door."

Following orders, Ry sat on a chair facing her new boss. Her gut twisted when she thought about what the woman would say. Dressed in a crisp, tailored uniform, the chief didn't resemble her predecessor in any way. She didn't have an eyelash out of place, her nails were painted a bright red that matched her lipstick. Ry glanced down at her frumpy clothes, feeling dull compared to her.

"First of all, I understand that you are keeping the name Sanders rather than Nanuq since your marriage. That makes it much easier to keep you two separate. Is Nanuq with you?"

Shaking her head, Ry chose to keep her mouth shut until necessary, in case she said the wrong thing. She thought that a Barbie doll had come to life, stunned by the difference in the precinct, and the people in it.

"First of all, there will be no slamming of doors. My office is my private domain, and no one comes in unless invited. You will knock before entering. If you can send me an email about your issue instead of coming in here, then that's all the better."

Pausing a moment, as though waiting for an argument, she continued in her calm, quiet voice.

"Your desk, as well as Nanuq's, are situated by the back wall in the main room. You can sign out your gun next week when you're supposed to be back here. Do you understand, Detective?"

Fury building by the minute, Ry's eyes narrowed as she nodded.

"Do you have any questions, Detective?"

"Yes! What the hell is going on around here? I want my office back, and as far as knocking on your door I've never done it before. Why should I start now?" Ry's voice sounded similar to the polar bear's growl.

Smiling, the chief said, "It's my precinct now. Anyone who doesn't care for the way I run things is welcome to transfer to another one. And I've already stipulated what is expected of you. Follow my rules, or leave. That is the only choice you have."

Having a hard time sitting still, Ry demanded, "I want my gun today. I have a serial killer to catch."

She shook her head slowly. The chief had a satisfied expression on her face.

"You and Nanuq are no longer on that case. I've given it to two detectives who actually work here. You have been gone for months. The case required attention, and it's getting it. You will be working on paperwork for the next few months."

Standing up quickly, Ry stood with fists curled tight, and her face flushed red with ire.

"Screw you!" Turning, she left, slamming the door as hard as she could. Heading to the front door, she barely saw anyone in the room. Carla put a hand on her arm to stop her.

"Ry, don't blow your career because of that preppy bitch. I'll stop by tonight and fill you in." Quickly, she returned to her desk.

O'Roark nodded, indicating that he'd be coming to her house also.

Turning, Ry left, slamming the front door as well.

Outside, she gasped for breath. She'd lost everything! Her husband, her child, her job! Upset, she barely noticed where she was going. She passed her rental car by twenty feet before she realized it. Climbing in, she put her head on the steering wheel for a few minutes and tried to pull herself together.

She had no tears to shed; her emotions dead inside. Inserting the key, she started the car and left the parking lot, cautious because of her dangerous state of emotions. Taking her time, she headed home.

***

In the dark, empty house, she found her heart hollow. Without Kane, there seemed to be no life in it. Unlocking the front door, Ry wanted to scream her head off into the silence, but she didn't. Taking off her shoes, she climbed the stairs. They didn't even creak to let anyone hiding know she was on to them. At least she still could use her martial arts to protect herself. She wondered if even the Web Cleanser wanted her. He'd killed three more women, perhaps searching for the perfect woman...again.

Without turning on a light, Ry walked over to her bar, and poured a stiff shot of whiskey, sucking it back the way she drank milk. Not satisfied, she took the bottle and curled up on the couch, drinking straight from it. The silence slowly killed her. She wanted to hold Raven in her arms and listen to the little cooing sounds he made.

Hearing a knock at the door, she shouted, "Come in if you dare! If you're selling door to door I may shoot you!"

Chuckling, O'Roark walked up the stairs and joined her on the sofa in the dark.

"What's the deal, Nanuq Woman?"

"Call me that again, and you'll find yourself flat on your ass," Ry grumbled.

"Oh, boy, you have it bad, Detective. When is your husband coming?"

Taking a deep swig from the bottle and wiping her mouth with her sleeve, she shook her head. "Never. I've lost him, the baby, my life...my job! Shit, I'll bet even that psycho serial killer doesn't want me anymore!"

"Guess I'm late for the pity party," Carla said as she climbed the stairs.

"Come join me. It's called, Life without...anybody."

"Ry, don't be that way. I'll bet you twenty bucks that Nanuq comes to get you."

"Who the hell hired that old hag to replace the chief?" Ry asked.

"Chain of command. She was the next one up for the job of chief. She looks like she belongs in a beauty parlor, if you ask me," Carla grumbled.

"Yeah. She won't let anyone talk, joke, or even sneeze out loud. And those two detectives that replaced you and Nanuq are useless."

"Don't! Don't say his name near me ever again!" Ry shouted. She took another long pull from the bottle.

"Ry, maybe you should eat something before you get into that stuff."

"Oh, be quiet, Carla. I never invited either one of you to be my mother!"

"Maybe that's what you need. A mother," O'Roark grumbled. He tried to grab the bottle from Ry, but she jumped up from the sofa, nearly toppling over.

"Nobody's taking anything else from me. Do you hear me? I've lost everything and everybody I care about throughout my whole life! I'm not doing it anymore!" Wavering on her feet, she walked to the bathroom and locked the door behind her.

***

"You think she's going to cry her eyes out, Carla?"

Shaking her head, the woman sighed. "No, but I think she's going to drink the rest of that bottle and either puke up her guts, or pass out."

The room smelled like booze, the atmosphere morose. Carla had sympathy for Ry's lonely life. Her apartment bordered on pitiful. Not one plant or painting livened up the place, and she had no photos displayed anywhere. The lack of them proved how private Ry's life truly was.

O'Roark shook his head. "She's a hermit. I've never seen such an impersonal place. I'm willing to be that she doesn't even have a poster of her favorite musician or actor."

"She's had a sad life. We have to get her back with Nanuq. He's good for her."

"I'll stay and watch her," O'Roark offered.

"Like hell. We're both staying. What if we have to lift that little spitfire into bed? I'm not doing it alone!"

Snickering, O'Roark followed Carla to the kitchen to make coffee.

***

"She's back. No sign of a baby or Nanuq. Maybe it didn't survive."

The man in the leather chair kept staring out the window.

"Sir, do you want me to go and get her?"

Turning his chair to face Laughing Boy, he said, "Give her two days to settle in. Maybe she'll think we've forgotten her. This time I want her brought to me, to my bed. Now that she's cleansed of that bastard child, she'll be easier to manage."

"Are you planning on using the chains?"

"Perhaps at first, until she learns her place. I don't want any bruises on her this time. You understand?"

"Yes, sir," Laughing Boy agreed. He wanted a piece of her before he handed Ry over to the boss. She owed it to him for all those weeks she made him suffer.

"There are only a few weeks until Christmas. I want her trained by then and walking beside me as I introduce her as my new wife to the congregation. The next child that grows in her belly is going to be mine! You may go." Turning the chair back to face the window, the man ignored him.

Laughing Boy backed out of the room and returned to his own room to prepare for his last mission as the Web Cleanser. Oh, how he wanted to place his hand around her throat and squeeze the life out of her after he'd had his way with her a few dozen times. His stupid boss wouldn't realize that his main man would pull the rug out from under him. Laughter echoed in his mind.

Once in his room, he pulled the door tight behind him. He took out the photos and news articles about his conquests. The only one he truly wanted was Ry Sanders. The others, he simply used for practice.

***

The second morning home, Ry awoke with an empty whiskey bottle clutched in her fist and an entire pipe and drum band crashing around inside her head. Still fully clothed, she didn't remember how she had gotten into bed. Her room was a disaster zone, clothing strewn everywhere, her shoes scattered across the floor, and it stank of her unclean body. Sitting up slowly, she groaned, dropping the bottle, and held her head with both hands. The loud bang it made on the floor sent her mind spinning.

Carla opened the door, a wide grin on her face.

"Well, well, look who's awake."

"Shhhhh..." Ry hissed, holding her hand up to stop her friend from talking.

"I'm not lowering my voice, Sanders. You deserve that hangover. Now get showered and dressed. O'Roark and I have a plan." Putting aspirin down on the bedside table, she closed the door with a thump.

"Evil witch!" Ry mumbled. Carla chuckled on her way down the hall. Getting to her feet, Ry grabbed her bathrobe and headed for the shower. She'd kill anyone who made as much as a tapping sound with their finger.

***

It took hours before Ry wanted to talk to her friends. She grudgingly ate breakfast then drank three cups of coffee. Her head still pounded, sluggish and achy. It was well past noon when she was finally prepared to sit down with Carla and O'Roark to discuss the case.

Sitting gingerly on the sofa, she sighed. Squinting her eyes, she stared at Carla.

"So, what have you got?" Her voice lay flat and monotone. She would never allow emotions to rule her life again. Dead inside, she pushed images of Kane and the baby away.

"O'Roark and I think we have a plan to snatch the Web Cleanser. The only thing is..." Carla glanced over at O'Roark. He nodded. "Well, you have to not only be the bait, but let yourself get caught."

"What?" Ry cried then winced. "Explain, and it had better be good. I can't stand Laughing Boy, and the thought of him touching me..." Shuddering, she glanced around for her stash of alcohol.

"We dumped it," O'Roark said, holding his breath for Ry's reaction.

Giving him a glare, Ry snarled, "Why?"

"We have work to do, and we can't have you all sauced up. If Nanuq..."

"Shut up! Shut the hell up, Carla! I don't ever want to hear his name again, do you hear me?" Rage filled Ry's veins as she jumped to her feet and shouted at her friend. Tears pricked her eyes as the pain crashed through her skull. She had to fight not to cry and break down. No way would she show them how much pain she suffered, and it had nothing to do with the hangover.

"Ry, sit yourself down and listen to us, or we walk. You'll be on your own, and that bastard will come for you anyway. Either you follow what we planned, or you get kidnapped again and we lose you permanently. I doubt he'll come back to purify you again, not after you escaped and messed up his plans." Carla sat relaxed on the sofa and spoke calmly.

Ry couldn't fight Carla unless she fought back. She sat down, emitting a groan.

"Speak!" she barked.

"Okay, here's what we're going to do..."

***

Ry lay on the sofa with an empty bottle of whiskey stuck to her finger. She muttered to herself then chuckled as if she'd heard a joke. She'd dressed in wrinkled pajamas, whiskey and food staining them.

"Nobody wants me but a stinkin' killer. How great is that?" Ry slurred heavily. "I don't need anyone! I'm a tough cop. I can find another job. Damn Web Cleanser took everyone from me. I hate him so much..."

A hiccup and then a burp escaped as she tried to sit up, but fell back, laughing hysterically.

"No protectors tonight, Samantha?" came an amused voice from the darkened hallway.

Pulling herself up to sitting position took three attempts, but finally she stared down the hall.

"You're just my imagination. Go away!" She drunkenly waved her hand at him and slumped back down again. Her enemy had arrived.

***

Laughing Boy came forward. He'd watched the house for most of the day, and he'd seen no one except his prey in the house. The needle he'd planned to inject her with lay in his pocket, but, based on the way she acted, he didn't think he'd need it.

"You and I have a date with the master, little one."

"Master shmaster. I don't want to go see that little pig!" Snickering, she taunted, "Oink, oink, oink. Just a stink...stinkin' pig!"

Laughing Boy moved closer. Standing at the end of the sofa, he watched her. She could tell that he didn't suspect her of faking it. She knew she appeared to have not showered in two days, and she'd had a lot of booze, her shirt covered with stains. It would make it easy to take her. When he moved to her side, she prepared to fight if need be.

"Ahhh!" Ry cried. "Get away from me. You aren't even here, you stupid..."

Seconds later Ry found herself over his shoulder. The bottle hit the carpet and rolled under the coffee table.

"Let me gooo." Slurring and shrieking, she couldn't break free. "I'm gonna barf if you don't put me down."

***

Laughing Boy ignored her as he carried her out of the house and down the street to his car. Carefully placing her in the trunk, he bound her wrists and ankles while she struggled weakly. Throwing a blanket over her, he climbed into the car and drove casually down the street. He'd watched for witnesses, but at three in the morning, no one would have seen them leave. Laughing Boy had never committed such an easy kidnapping before.

He drove at a slow pace, not wanting to stir up curiosity about the sedan. When he came to a road check, the cop who questioned him didn't search the car.

"Where are you going tonight?" the rookie asked.

"Home. I went to the game."

"Have you had anything to drink?"

Laughing Boy thought about Ry, glad that she wasn't in the car as the stench of her would have been reason enough to detain him. He shook his head.

"No sir. I won't pay the ridiculous prices for a beer at the stadium. Can you believe they charge nine bucks a drink now? It's highway robbery. I'm heading home."

The cop leaned in and took a sniff, not finding any alcohol odor. Finally, he waved him on.

Laughing Boy chuckled once he'd passed the rest of the cop cars. He knew she'd be out cold for hours, long enough for him to have his way with her. Laughing aloud, he sped up and headed for his own place.

***

Carla and O'Roark watched the entire thing from a crack in the door of the spare room. They would have helped her if necessary, but Ry played the game well. The killer believed her to be completely drunk.

O'Roark grimaced. "Now we get out our fancy little tools and follow them, far back so they won't see us."

"I wonder what he's got planned for our little drunken dove," Carla mused.

"Whatever it is, he won't get far with it. I think we can speed up a bit, partner."

For the next half hour they followed him, sure that he hadn't seen them. They watched as he pulled into a driveway, opening the garage door and closing it behind him. O'Roark parked the car and took out his binoculars.

"Her mic is working. She's okay." Carla relaxed. "If he thinks she'll come to him willingly, he has another think coming."

O'Roark snickered. "You're right. He has no idea what he's in for if he tries. We'll be there in seconds if she's in danger. Now all we have to do is sit back and wait."

Carla shook her head. "He'd better treat her well or Nanuq is going to kill us."

***

Glancing over his shoulder at Ry's prone body, Laughing Boy snickered. He'd not seen a woman that drunk since his mother... No, he didn't want to think about her. Regardless, an image of her in a bathtub laughing at her lover flashed through his mind. The candles around the tub made it a romantic scene, but at the age of ten it had been anything but. He could still hear his enraged father as he shoved his son aside and walked into the bathroom.

The man fell dead in seconds as his father wrapped his hands around the thick throat. The boy's mother lay there in the water, stunned as she watched her seemingly gentle husband turn into a raving killer. When he dropped the man onto the floor and turned to her, she shook her head.

"You need to be purified, my dove!" his father said in a deceptively soft voice. Seizing her throat, he shoved her beneath the water and squeezed her neck until she stopped moving.

Turning to his son, his chest heaving from exertion, he said, "Find yourself a pure dove, son. Not someone like this filthy bag of feathers. Go get the wheelbarrow. You and I are going to bury this waste of humanity."

When a car horn sounded, startling him, Laughing Boy turned the wheel to avoid hitting the oncoming car. He had to concentrate and decide if it would be worth keeping her. So far, since she'd been with that cop and had a kid with him, she had a lot of baggage to carry around, but he enjoyed her fire. The way she mouthed back at him would be dealt with in time. He'd never seen a more beautiful woman. When she'd been pregnant, he could barely help but stare at her, she'd radiated such purity.

"Mmmmm," Ry moaned.

Grinning, Laughing Boy turned into the driveway. He'd been sure that no one had seen him take her, and no car followed him. Confident as he opened the trunk, he scooped her up in his arms.

"Come on, my dove. This is an unexpected stop, but I want you to myself for a while."

"Not by myself," she murmured.

Chuckling, he carried her to the inside door, and slipped the key into the slot. The door opened with a ominous squeal. He shut it quietly and took her downstairs to his secret room.

Placing her on the large bed, he turned on the red lights and lit candles all around.

"I'm gonna be sick," she moaned.

Instantly he picked her up and took her to the small washroom, placing her on her knees in front of the toilet.

"You stay right there. I have to get a few things."

Ry mumbled something, gagging into the toilet.

Assured that she couldn't go anywhere, he closed the bathroom door and raced up the stairs.

***

Hearing his feet pounding on the steps, Ry stood up and viewed her surroundings. She whispered, "He seems to think he's got me where he wants me. I'll have to make myself not worth keeping. I can't wait to rough him up. Oh, I hear him coming. Back to work!"

Getting down on her knees, she flushed the toilet then let her head hang as she groaned. The door opened and a grinning Laughing Boy came in. Without a word, he scooped her up and took her back to the bed.

"I need a drink of water," she slurred.

"I'll get you one." Seconds later he lifted her head to drink from a glass. When she'd had enough, he gently lowered her and put the glass on the bedside table.

"Now, my dove, it's time to remove your clothes."

"No way. I'm cold," she grumbled and rolled away from him.

"Yes! Now come here." He grabbed her arm and dragged her to him. From the expression in his eyes, he appeared ready to rip her clothes off.

"Go away! I want to sleep some more." She saw that his determination to strip her had nothing to do with bathing her this time.

"Master sent me to check on you. He wants you prepared for his arrival."

Standing at the bottom of the stairs stood another masked man in black.

Laughing Boy's eyes flashed hatred. "I am checking her for transmitters or bugs, in case we've been followed," he said.

"I see, the red lights and candles will make the devices clearer to view, right?"

"Get lost, Jeremy. I know what I'm doing."

Laughing Boy climbed off the bed and faced his companion.

"You want her for yourself. You always have."

"Shut up, Jeremy! It's you who wants her. She's dead drunk. She won't remember anything. We could take turns."

Jeremy shook his head. "She belongs to the master." He started for the stairs, but Laughing Boy attacked him, his hands wrapped tightly around the smaller man's throat. Ry wanted to stop him, but by the time she moved to get up, the man lay on the floor, dead. She sat there staring at Laughing Boy, remembering to keep her drunken appearance.

"Why did you hurt your friend?" she slurred.

"Forget him. I'll take care of him later. Now, get out of those clothes."

Pouting her lips, she shook her head. The man began to climb onto the bed with her when the phone rang.

"Damn!" He answered it, speaking in terse sentences then hung up.

"We have to go, now!"

Phew!

"Where are we going?" she asked, flopping back onto the mattress.

"To see the master. Here, put this blanket on to keep you warm."

"Oh, see how nice you can be?" When he scooped her up into his arms, she asked, "Aren't you going to bring your friend too? He seems tired."

He grimaced and then ignored her, climbing the steps. As he placed her into the front seat of the car, sitting up, she watched him from beneath her lashes as he scanned the streets.

"Hey, with this blanket wrapped around me I can't undo my...my seat belt."

"That's okay. I'll do it for you when we get there."

In truth, she had been made captive by the tangled blanket and couldn't get free. She lay her head back and watched the street signs.

"When can I go back to bed?" she murmured.

"Soon. Very soon. If I have it my way, it won't be his bed."

"Who's he?" Her words came out in a slur, and she faked a giggle.

"Sit quiet. We'll be there soon."

Ry could only wonder what would happen when they arrived. She planned to kick some serious butt if anyone tried to take her clothing off. Turning her head, she studied Laughing Boy. He glared at her, fit to kill. She hoped his menu didn't include her.
Chapter 16

Minutes after Ry and her captor pulled up to the second building, O'Roark and Carla parked and got out of their car. An old Victorian home deep in the lower end of Toronto stood surrounded by a dilapidated iron fence with broken rods large enough for a man to fit through. Three burly guards dressed head to toe in black stood sentinel near the doors. They'd found the right place.

Since they'd dressed in plain clothes for this mission, they spent a minute trying to decide how to get inside. O'Roark had the perfect solution.

"Come on, O'Roark, who's going to believe that you and me are lovers?"

"I don't know. One man, one woman, makes sense to me."

"Can you hear her on your earpiece? It's pretty quiet on mine." Carla adjusted her ear piece.

"Stop stalling. Now hide your gun behind your back, and let's smooch."

"O'Roark, if you say one word of this to the gang at the precinct, so help me I'll—"

"Don't worry. Besides, you'll simply act like you're sorry for me."

Carla's jaw dropped. "As if!"

Holding out his hand, he pulled her to him, slipped his arm around her, and nuzzled close.

"This is the part where you slip your arm around my waist, lover."

Carla groaned. Unfortunately, for Ry's sake, she had to. As she slid her arm around his waist, she touched his firm muscles and nearly groaned.

"Now rest your head on my shoulder and let's do the drunk walk in front of the gate."

"O'Roark, you're asking for troub—"

His warm lips stopped her from talking and numbed her mind. When he began walking them forward, she followed, not even aware that they moved. Only his lips mattered.

"Hey, you two. Get away from the gate!" a guard called.

Suddenly, Carla couldn't get enough of O'Roark, clenching his hair in her fist and moaning. He had his hands on her ass, pulling her close and grinding his groin into her belly. The couple appeared oblivious of not only the guard, but of anything else.

"Baby, I want you bad," she murmured, loud enough for the guard to hear.

She saw the man roll his eyes before he walked away.

"You don't know how long I've wanted you, sweetheart. I can't stand waiting another minute." O'Roark lowered them to the ground right in front of the gate.

"Oh, come on, you two!" The returning guard glanced around, not sure what to do. Calling the police wouldn't work.

O'Roark had his hand inside her shirt. Carla squealed and rubbed her body against his hard crotch.

"Jerry, Rick, come help me here!" the guard shouted. Seconds later the gate creaked open, and the three men tried to pull the couple apart. Suddenly one of the men disappeared into the dark. The lovers apparently didn't notice a thing and kept groping each other and moaning, their lips never leaving each other's. Another guard disappeared. The third guard stood up and glanced around, searching for the others.

"Guys? Where are you?" he asked uncertainly.

A moment later, he too disappeared.

The couple kept kissing and moaning.

"You two going to do that all night, or are we going to rescue my wife?"

***

Suddenly, as though a bucket of cold water washed over them, O'Roark and Carla broke apart and leaped to their feet.

"Nanuq!" O'Roark whispered.

"Sorry to interrupt, but we have a clear way to the house. Ready to go?"

The sheepish couple grinned and then nodded. Entering the gate, they made their way around the building to search it for Ry. On the top floor only two rooms had lights on. Nanuq motioned them to stay put while he snuck up to the main floor windows. One of the rooms, an office of sorts, had a balding man sitting at a desk. He seemed irritated and began tapping his fingers on the blotter.

In the other windows, he saw a few women, but no more guards. He could call for a warrant and backup, but he didn't want to endanger Ry. Making his way back to his friends, he hid a grin. They seemed completely surprised by their amorous act and wouldn't look at each other.

"She's got to be on the top floor. I think the kingpin is in that office."

Clearing his throat, O'Roark asked, "What do you want us to do?"

"I think we need to wait a few minutes. Can you hear Ry on your ear pieces?"

"She's still acting drunk. It's fine," Carla whispered. "I think she's either alone, or one of the women is watching her."

"She knows we're out here. She'll give us a sign." O'Roark kept his eyes on the building, his face flushed red.

***

Ry nearly blew her cover when Laughing Boy carried her up the narrow staircase.

"No! I don't wanna go to bed," she slurred. "I wanna go dancing!" He carried her in his arms, making it easier for her to stall. She tripped him numerous times on the steps by holding the wall with her hands and feet.

"Will you please hold still!" he said, growling when she accidentally hit him in the nose with her elbow.

"I'm thirsty. Where's the bar?" Ry threw back her head just as they reached the landing, causing Laughing Boy to lose his balance. His eyes full of frustration, he threw her over his shoulder.

With a loud "oomph" sound, Ry snorted with laughter then to cover it, she cried, "I think I'm going to be sick. Put me down."

"We're almost there. Now stay still, damn it!"

Digging a little deeper, she taunted in a baby voice, "Is the big bad Web Cleanser getting mad at his wittew captive?"

Other than a tightening in his shoulder muscles, she couldn't get him any angrier. Seconds later, she found herself flat on her back on an old creaky bed.

"Hey, that wasn't nice. You're just one big meany." Ending her sentence with a hiccup, she rolled over and acted as though she'd fallen asleep. Her snoring had the makings of a masterpiece.

Hearing the door open and close, she peeked beneath her lashes to see if he'd left. Two of the women from the cult stood uncertainly by the door. She stopped her snoring abruptly, holding onto her stomach. Groaning, Ry rolled toward the edge of the bed.

"No! You must stay on the bed," one of the ladies cried.

With a drunken lurch, Ry cried, "I need air. I'm going to throw up!" At that, she made her way to the window and threw the dusty curtain wide as she tried to open the window. It wouldn't budge. Leaning her head against the pane of glass, Ry prayed her team would see her. The two women began pulling at her arms, and she resisted them weakly to keep her act up. Soon she lay back on the bed, moaning as she faked sleep.

***

"There's my wife, right on schedule," Nanuq said dryly. He leaned casually against a tree as they watched the house. "Our target just entered the office with his king."

"You're not still angry with Ry, are you Nanuq?" Carla murmured close to his ear.

Kane snorted. "Mad at my absent wife? The woman who should be taking care of our son? The woman who runs every time she gets close to losing her heart? Nah...how could that be possible?" By the mocking tone in his voice, he couldn't hide his building anger. Their marriage might not last if Ry didn't do something fast.

"Let's get her out of there and then we can talk details."

"Nanuq, you'd better keep her. She's well worth every pain in your ass."

"Shut up, O'Roark. Wait, the two men are on their way up the stairs. Let's give it a few minutes and see what happens," Kane mumbled. They watched through the now-open curtain to wait for their opportunity.

***

Ry could hear the loud footsteps on the stairs. She kept up her snoring, ignoring the women. When the door opened, the Master ordered them out. Laughing Boy shut the door behind them.

"Look at her. She's resembles an angel lying there in such a deep sleep."

Rolling his eyes, Laughing Boy muttered, "She's definitely no angel, sir."

The master moved to the bed and sat on the edge of the mattress. Carefully, he picked up a strand of her hair and sighed. "Tonight you will be mine."

Nearly shuddering at the thought, Ry let a line of drool roll out of her mouth.

"Oh!" The Master wiped the drool with the edge of the dusty sheet.

Letting out her best power sneeze, Ry suddenly woke up.

"Waz going on?"

"I came to tell you that we will be married tonight."

Ry stared at the Master for a moment, and then burst out laughing. She laughed so hard tears flowed from her eyes.

"Can't...ha ha ha...can't you get a date off the in-ner-net the same as everybody elzz?"

By the time she'd stopped cackling and glanced up at the man, she sobered up fast. He appeared wounded and also fit to kill.

"I'm already married," she murmured.

"Your husband is dead."

"No! I don't believe it. I won't believe it," she cried, pulling out a few crocodile tears.

"You killed him, didn't you?" he asked Laughing Boy. The Master appeared to be unsure.

"Another man did—a hired killer. He then froze to death on the tundra."

Turning back to Ry, the Master murmured, "There, you see my dear, you are a widow now. I'm going to send my women up to bathe you and clothe you in your wedding gown."

"No! I'm not marrying anyone. You killed my husband!" she bawled, hiding her face.

"Have her prepared for the wedding. I'm going to cleanse myself."

The Master turned to leave, but Laughing Boy stopped him as he chuckled. Turning back to face his cult member, the Master had a surprised expression on his face.

"What are you laughing about?" he asked.

"You want to be cleansed, and I am the cleanser!" Laughing Boy threw the smaller man up against the wall and held him there, with his large hand spanning the Master's throat.

"What are you doing?" he croaked. His eyes filled with fear as he stared into Laughing Boy's.

"She's not for you. I've decided to keep her for myself. She has courage and beauty, and I want her. You will be cleansed!"

The smaller man struggled, his face soon turning purple, his feet now inches off the floor. Ry made ready to jump off the bed and stop Laughing Boy, but she heard the other man's neck crack. The man died in seconds. Laughing Boy chuckled with delight and dropped him then he turned to Ry.

"Why did you do that?" she asked in her drunken voice.

"I decided that I would take what I want. I want you, Detective. You and I are going to move north and live in the woods. You will do whatever I ask. We'll live off the land. You'll be my wife!" He threw back his head with laughter. "I've already cleansed you. That little 'thing' you had going on with the cop, I choose to ignore since he's dead now." He walked slowly to the bed and stood gazing down at her with a leering grin on his face.

Ry didn't back up, but lay there staring up at him.

"You can't take me anywhere," she snarled. "I hate you! You're a murderer!"

In a flash he had his hand around her neck, and pressed her down on the mattress. His face not an inch away from hers, he spoke in an eerie tone, "You will do whatever I ask, whenever I ask it of you, or you will die. I am the Web Cleanser! I am all-powerful."

Her voice came out hoarsely as he squeezed. "I think you need a whole lot of medication, and to be put in a facility for the mentally challenged."

"You can't talk to me that way! You are mine! Take it back!"

Slowly he started squeezing her neck. Ry quickly hooked her calf around his neck and shoved him away. He flew off the bed and sat on the floor in stunned amazement for a moment, and then chuckled.

"You always have surprises for me. That's what I love about you. You never give up. You always fight back. We are going to be happy together."

"Listen, you maniac, when will you get it through your thick skull that I don't want anything to do with you. You murder people for a living, for crying out loud. I've sworn to uphold the law. We are at opposite ends of the spectrum."

Anger made her lose her slur, but she tried to keep it going. Standing up on the bed, Ry prepared for another attack. He slowly got to his feet and grinned, then dove at her, taking her down to the mattress. Ry screamed in surprise. She fought him hard as he edged his way up her body to imprison her legs and arms. She threw a few good punches. Blood sprayed from his nose, but he only laughed harder.

Once again he had her by the throat.

"Let me go!" she shouted.

"Never!" Gradually increasing pressure, he kept it up until spots danced behind her eyelids as she almost lost consciousness, but then he released her.

Gasping, Ry fought for air. She knew he toyed with her, but she wanted it done and over with.

"Get the hell in here now!" she shouted at O'Roark, and Carla. She heard footsteps on the stairs.

"Who are you talking to?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.

"My imaginary angel, dipstick! Now get off me!" She struggled, but he held her fast.

The door crashed open and both Laughing Boy and Ry stared in amazement. Nanuq held a gun on the man, his eyes filled with rage.

"Nanuq!" they both cried, one in disbelief, one in wonder.

The killer circled her neck once again and began squeezing. Nanuq glanced at Ry for a second.

"You'll be dead before you kill her. Let her go. You're under arrest."

Black spots fluttered in front of her eyes as Ry fought for air. She nearly passed out before she caught her breath. The heavy weight lifted off her body. When her vision returned, she saw O'Roark holding two guns, Carla holding hers, and the other two men in a physical battle.

Dropping back onto the mattress, she shook her head, her eyes rolling in disgust.

"Men! You can't just shoot the bastard. You have to do the 'He-Man' thing. Always, always, it's muscle before brains."

Carla snorted. "I hear you, sister! You okay, Ry?"

"I have a sore throat, but I'm happy to see you guys. This game is getting boring. Kill, don't kill, kill, don't kill. I mean, make up your freaking mind!"

Nodding at The Master's body, Carla asked, "Dead?"

"You bet! It turned out that he was the nice guy in this whole deal. Even though he hired Laughing Boy to kill everyone."

Laughing Boy turned his head slightly while holding Nanuq as tightly as he could to get the upper hand.

"You...will...call...me...Master!"

Laughing, Ry cried out, "I don't think so!"

Nanuq never said a word, his whole focus on taking his opponent down. His anger built up to such a degree that he almost gave the killer the upper hand.

"Um...Nanuq, we have three guns on him. You can let go now," O'Roark said.

"Oh, let them fight. It's the testosterone thing. My woman, no...no...she's my woman! Grrrrrr..." Ry said, imitating the men.

"I'm glad you find this amusing, Ryland Nanuq," Kane said dryly.

Suddenly, Kane broke free and swung at Laughing Boy, whose head rocked back on his shoulders. He came back with an uppercut that barely grazed Kane's chin. Kane followed through with three powerful punches to the stomach, knocking the man backward until he crashed to the floor beside the bed.

Leering, Laughing Boy turned and made a grab for Ry.

"Oh, no you don't, you psycho! I've had just about enough of you!" Ry kicked the side of his face and then lay back again, resting on the pillow. When he chuckled and continued to fight with Kane, Ry knew he'd lost his mind.

Kane kicked out, breaking the other man's kneecap, dropping him to the floor as he screamed in agony. Seconds later, Kane had the man in handcuffs facedown.

"There, you see? That's all you had to do." Thinking Kane ready to forgive and forget since he'd come to save her, Ry smiled tentatively at him.

He gave her a sideways glare and spoke with bitterness in his tone, "There, you got what you wanted. You are a coward, wife. You're afraid of people loving you. You constantly endanger your life. I leave you to it." At that he turned, took his revolver from O'Roark, and left them.
Chapter 17

"It's been three weeks, and he hasn't called, emailed, or sent a letter. I'm assuming that my husband doesn't want me anymore. I can't see my son because he's in iglooland. I have two friends who stick with me for reasons only they know. I lost my job because of my big mouth, and the serial killer who thought he loved me is finally in jail under numerous charges of murder. I sit here in my empty house and wonder what the heck I should be doing?"

Ry held a new bottle of whiskey in her hands that she'd purchased that day. She stared into the warm amber liquid and waited for somebody to tell her what she should do. Her hair resembled a rat's nest, her clothing wrinkled the way an elephant's skin puckered, and her living room lay in turmoil. Dropping her chin, she sniffed her armpit and grimaced.

"Okay! I've sat here being sorry for myself for three weeks hoping Kane will come to me, but he obviously thinks I'm too cowardly to go to him. I guess I have two choices. Drink this baby and head for who gives a care land, or pull myself together, head up north, and kick his butt for leaving me!"

A minute later, she walked to the sink, opened the bottle, and dumped it down the sink. Then she headed for the shower. Twenty-four hours later, she flew on that tiny plane with her ol' buddy, Lou.

"I think you're right, Ms. Nanuq. He has no right to abandon you that way. Why, I'd kick his butt all the way to the North Pole!"

"I am going to kick his butt, Lou. He called me a coward! Me! I'm one of the toughest lady cops on the force." She thought about that for a moment. "Well, I was until I got myself fired for being such a big mouth. That new boss was a clone of GI Barbie!" Ry shuddered then glanced out the window at the cloud surrounding them. Since making her decision, Ry had become more and more angry at Kane for walking away from her the way he had.

The plane jerked and tilted for a moment. Ry's eyes widened.

"How old did you say this plane is?"

"Oh, going on thirteen years now." Lou righted the plane and turned his head to wink at her.

"Nice number! You...ah...do keep up maintenance, don't you?"

The motor did a slight stall, and the plane dropped low out of the cloud before Lou got it back up.

The bright yellow airport became visible far below, to Ry's relief.

"Ah, you think you can get us there in one piece, Lou?"

"Course I can, why I..."

Once again the plane's engine sputtered and the plane dropped. This time it didn't pull up, and the engine didn't restart.

Lou calmly picked up the hand radio and told the person on the other end their situation.

"Hello, Mel. Lou here. We need an emergency landing. Which area has the most snow piled up? Over."

"Gotcha Lou, try the left runway. We haven't got around to plowing it since the big storm yesterday. Over."

"Are you kidding me?" Ry cried, holding on for dear life now.

"Nope. Don't worry, Ms. Nanuq. I've done it before. You're safe as a bug in a rug."

"No bugs are safe in my rugs, Lou." Swallowing the lump in her throat, she thought of Kane and Raven. "Lou? I have a new son I haven't seen in a month, and I have a husband to tear into. You get me down safe for sure, okay?"

A wide grin on his face, Lou guided the plane toward the left runway, coming up fast, and shouted, "Hang on! We're going tobogganing!" A maniacal laugh escaped as the lunatic took firm control of the wheel and steered straight at the runway. Ry gasped. She couldn't see any lines on the pavement.

"If you kill me, I'm going to kick your butt, Lou!"

Lou let out a loud "Yeehaw!" as the plane hit the snow.

With the wheels up, the bottom of the plane moved fairly smoothly over the white blanket as they hit the ground. The landing compared to riding a wild bull, but the old man steered it down the runway toward the red lights of the emergency vehicle.

Seconds later, they stopped and Ry let out a deep breath, all the blood leaving her head.

"Well, will you look at that? We only ran out of gas!"

Eyes wide with disbelief, Ry shouted, "Lou! I oughtta..." Taking a deep breath, she turned to the man, placed her hands on either side of his face, and gave him a lip-smacking kiss.

Clutching his heart, Lou gasped.

"You could kill a man with that mouth, woman!" he reprimanded her, yet Lou's eyes showed his merriment and took the sting out of his words.

Long minutes later, the rescue crew dug them out of the deep snow enough to open the doors.

A woman dressed head to toe in warm winter wear leaned her head inside.

"You both okay?" At their nods she said, "What's the matter Lou, you run out of gas again?"

Bursting with laughter, the old man nodded. "That I did, Mel. That I did!"

***

Mel gave Ry a ride into town on her snowmobile, dropping her off where she could hire a snowmobile taxi to take her out to Kane's house. As she neared the house, her stomach began protesting. She'd never been afraid to face someone before, but she shivered in fear now. Kane's angry expression as he'd walked away remained vivid in her memory.

Bundled up good and warm, her face covered with thick scarves, Ry couldn't talk to the driver. She held on until the house came into view. Her eyes pricked with unshed tears and she began trembling. The man let her off in front of the door. She stood staring up at the house and suddenly lost her courage.

"What if he doesn't want me? What if they won't let me in?"

The door swung wide and Kara peered out.

"Who's that?" she asked.

Pulling the scarves off her face, she gave Kara a tentative smile back.

"Ry! Get on in here before you freeze to death! Welcome home, sweetheart."

Closing the door behind her, Kara turned to help Ry disrobe. When she stood there in her warm pants and sweater, Ry finally stared at her mother-in-law, her lip caught in her teeth.

Instead of yelling at her or throwing her back out in the snow, the woman threw her arms around Ry. "I've missed you, daughter. I hope you're home to stay now?"

Choked up with emotion, Ry tried to nod.

"If...if I'm allowed to stay," she said in a tear-filled voice.

"Oh, you mean my son. Well he's in town right now, but if he tries to kick you out, he'll have to go through me!" Kara smiled in her gentle, warm way.

"Raven?" Ry asked.

"Oh, you won't believe how big he's getting. And such a darling he is. Come, I'll take you to see him." Off Kara walked down the hallway, a hesitant Ry on her tail.

When she stood in the doorway staring at the little cherub lying in his crib, she started crying. He was perfect! He'd changed so much in one month. Ry watched Kara gently pick up the child and walk back to her. Trembling, Ry took him in her arms and cradled him.

"I'll leave you two to get reacquainted."

"Wait, Kara, I have to see Kane. I have to know if I'm staying or not. He gave me the impression that he didn't want me anymore." Ry's eyes widened. "Kara, did he start divorce proceedings?"

Ducking her head, Kara refused to answer. Wild rage filled Ry's veins. Gazing down at Raven, she decided that she wouldn't put up with Kane keeping her out of his life.

"Kara, take him please. I'm going to go find Kane."

"He's at Harry's," she said quickly, taking the child.

"I guess there isn't an extra snowmobile here, is there?"

"No, but if you give me a minute I'll get you a ride to town."

Ry watched Kara put her son back in his crib. He hadn't even awakened. Walking over to the bed as Kara left the room, she stared down at him. His tiny fingers clenched into a fist while his sweet cherubic lips parted slightly. He had his father's fine black hair.

"If he thinks he's keeping me away from you, he's got another think coming," she murmured.

Reappearing at the doorway, Kara waved her out.

"Get your gear on. Your ride will be here in a few minutes."

Kara practically shoved her out the door with a quick "good luck."

In the dark, she had to search carefully to see the two men standing at the far end of the house.

"Hello, Ry," Aaron Handson said.

Jace Willoby nodded. "Need a lift to town?"

"Yes. Do you know where Harry lives?" she asked.

Aaron nodded. "Sure. We can drop you off in his backyard, so to speak. The snow will be a bit deep, but I'm sure you can manage it."

Looking around them, she asked, "Are we riding polar bears?"

The two Mounties laughed.

"Better. Listen," Jace said quietly.

They stopped moving. Staring past Aaron's shoulder, Ry could see lights in the sky.

"A helicopter ride?"

"We have to go rescue Mr. Benjamin again." Jace shook his head.

"Again?" Ry asked.

"Once a month we get a call from his wife saying he's missing. The man's eighty years old, but insists on going off hunting every month. He takes good supplies with him and snow shoes. He's always been fine, but when she calls us, we have to do our job."

Watching the chopper come in closer, Ry let him take her arm in his grip to prepare them for the run to their ride.

"But won't dropping me off take you out of your way?"

"No, we have to go right past town. Duck your head and stay with me."

Ry rushed to the helicopter at Aaron's side. Both men helped her inside and then climbed in beside her. They took off like a shot. The pilot nodded at her, a wide grin on his face.

"Lou?" She groaned. "Did you fill up the tank this time?"

Lou cackled and both men chuckled.

Moments later, they helped her out and she stood silent in Harry's enormous backyard. She waved at them and blew Lou a kiss. The man grinned even wider.

***

Knots formed in her stomach as she stood in front of Harry's home. Not sure of her welcome, she walked down the shoveled pathway slowly, afraid of what he'd do. She'd had lots of time to run things through her mind. Knowing she had to admit her faults almost made her turn tail and run. She knew she'd made a mistake.

Taking a deep breath, she took off her glove and knocked on the door. While she waited, she slipped the glove back on. The temperature had dropped to well below freezing. The thought of living here with him intimidated her. It would take a lot of getting used to.

When the door opened, she cringed.

"Hello, Harry. I'm searching for my husband."

Harry didn't speak for a moment, surprise on his face.

"Come on in," he said.

She shook her head. "I'd rather he come out here, if he'll talk to me."

"I've already talked to you."

Kane stood behind Harry and frowned at her. His appearance told the tale. His gaunt face and black circles under his eyes showed how hard her disappearance had been on him. He'd lost weight as well.

All because of me.

Guilt rolled in her gut, making her humble.

"Please, Kane. Come talk to me."

"Fine. I'll be out in a minute."

Harry gave her a measuring stare and then closed the door.

Cold and alone, Ry listened to the silence, finding it a foreign sound. Snow began to fall. She noticed the large flakes of snow as they floated slowly to the ground. In her whole life, she'd never taken the time to study them. She'd missed out on a lot of things because she'd been driven to work and survived in the concrete jungle, but now she knew that she wanted to be here.

When the door slowly opened and Kane came out all bundled up, her stomach flipped. He was the man of her dreams in every way. She only hoped that he'd see reason and listen to her. He didn't speak until he stood a few feet away from her.

Speechless suddenly, Ry didn't know what to say. He took control, as usual.

"What do you want?"

Taking a deep breath, she spoke only one word.

"You."

He turned around and began walking toward the door.

"Coward!"

That stopped him. He froze in place and turned back to face her.

"So talk."

"All right," she said, her palms sweaty in her clenched hands. "I want you to know...well, I admit that you are right, and I...I want to live here, with you, and the baby. I'm done with the big city. I want—"

"What you want is irrelevant to me. You left us. I'm not about to take you back so that you can do it again when you get bored."

"I left because I had unfinished business with the Web Cleanser. It's done and he's going to be in jail for the rest of his miserable life. I'm a witness to him killing the Master and another man. He admitted that the Master hired him and a professional hit man to kill you for him. My business with them is done. I want to come home."

"Why?"

His cold tone suggested that he wouldn't forgive her.

"Because...I love you."

"Ha!" His bitter laughter echoed in the night.

"It's true, Kane. I love you, and I don't want to live without you."

"Again with what you want. What about me? What do I want?"

"Tell me."

"I've already lost one family. I'm not going to go through that again. If you came here expecting a short stay, then forget it. I'm done with you. Get out of my life, Ry."

He turned to walk away for good. Torn between tears and anger, she picked up some snow and formed a snowball, throwing it at him. It hit his head, and he stopped cold in his tracks. Slowly, he turned around, his expression unreadable in the dim light.

"You hit me with a snowball?"

"Oh, you noticed."

She packed another one and tossed it toward him, hitting his chest. He didn't move for a minute, then threw one back at her, hitting her in the same spot. She followed suit, and the next thing she knew, they had started a snowball fight. Laughter bubbled up as she began to lose ground. When she got him in the face, she snickered.

"You witch!" he said, rushing her.

Ry squealed and tried to run, but he took her down, lying on top of her. He pushed snow in her face, laughing at her when she cried out.

For a breathless moment, they stopped and she stared into his eyes. She didn't know what to say, so she placed her gloved hands on the back of his head and pulled him down for a kiss. She put all of her heart into it to show him how much she loved him, delving deep into his mouth with her tongue.

He fell into her, losing himself in the moment. His frosty demeanor melted against her lips. When she finally released him, he shook his head.

"What are we fighting about?"

She smiled. Everything would be all right now.

"Were we fighting?"

This time he took control and kissed her. She became hot and cold at the same time, shivering beneath him.

Kane lifted his head, smiling.

"Let's go inside and warm up and then...we go home."

***

"Heeeeyaaa!"

"Take him down!"

"Don't let him back you into a corner. Keep going."

"Come on, buddy. I dare you to try and get me on the mats. You're toast," Ry said, spinning into a roundhouse kick. Surrounded by women shouting out in support of her, Ry fought back a grin.

Kane laughed. "You never win when I get you on the floor, woman. You're not going to win now."

Biting back a grin, Ry waited for him to come forward. He still favored his leg, an old injury that made it his weak point. He had the patience of a saint, in her eyes.

"Are you afraid of me, Popsicle Pete?"

Laughter erupted. Instead of making him careless, her taunting amused him, based on the way he stared at her. His lop-sided grin teased her into losing her temper. She became careless and moved in for a throw, but he was ready for her as usual, flipping her over his shoulder to land on her back. He followed, pinning her down.

She struggled to get free, but he had her good. Ry relaxed in his arms and frowned. "You cheat, snowball."

With her hands pinned to the mats, she acted helpless and knew she couldn't escape.

"Okay. Let's finish this," he teased.

"I'm not ready. Kiss me first."

"In front of your students?"

"They won't mind," she said, an impish grin on her face.

When he captured her lips, he released her hands and took her away. She became mush in his arms, concentrating on commanding his mouth. When he melted into her, she hooked her foot around his ankle and pushed his heel with her other foot, flipping him over onto his back.

"Aha! You lose, ice boy."

He lay beneath her, chuckling. Two little tykes jumped on her back, giggling and trying to tickle her through the thick material of her outfit.

"No fair! Three against one."

Raven and Hawk relentlessly jumped on her, hard. They knew when to battle, and when to play. Their mother didn't have a chance against them.

Kane lay beneath her, laughing hard.

"You are all grounded! How can I teach my students if you make this into a game?"

She couldn't help herself as she released him, rolling onto her back as the boys continued to attack her. Kane leaped to his feet in one smooth move, scooping the boys up into his arms.

"She cheats. Do you want a popsicle?"

The boys screeched with delight, fighting to get down. They wanted to run to the fridge. Kane let them go.

"You're going to put them to bed tonight then. They'll be bouncing off the walls."

He reached out a hand to help her up and then seized her lips. The women applauded, filling the room with their laughter.

Kelly shook her head. "You two are pitiful. Get a room, will you?"

Ry tugged his ponytail until he let her go.

"What were we talking about?" she asked, staring up at him with an expression of confusion.

"The fact that you're putting the kids to bed, not me."

"Oh. Well then..."

She moved fast, kicked his leg out from under him, and dropped him, laughing with the women.

"And that, ladies, is how you distract a man and beat him."

"I'm not done with you yet," Kane said, grabbing for her, but she moved too quickly and danced away from him. He rose to his feet and chased her across the room, picking her up in his arms, and throwing her over his shoulder. When she struggled, screaming with laughter, he swatted her ass and faced the students.

"That's it for the night. See you next week," he said, bowing to them.

They returned the favor while Ry kicked the air.

"Hey, I'm supposed to end the class," she said, squealing when he took her into the office and dumped her on the couch.

"Hey, you! Come back here."

When Kane left the room, she leaped to her feet and chased him. He opened the popsicles for the boys, ignoring her.

"You can run, but you can't hide, buster!"

Kane slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her up against his body. He leaned down and whispered something in her ear.

Her knees became weak, and she had to hold onto him for support.

"Okay, ladies. Everybody out!"

Kayla, Kimmy, and Kelly helped get rid of the students in record time.

"Okay, you two. Let's get you home before we end up witnessing more mush," Kelly said, holding up the key to the dojo.

"I'm game." Ry made sure the place was neat as a pin and then threw on her coat and boots, bundling up the kids as well.

As she walked past her husband, she slapped his ass, laughing when he protested.

"I couldn't help myself. You have such a cute butt."

"That's what all the girls tell me."

She stopped in her tracks.

"I know. That's why I keep you close. Those women want you far too much, Nanuq!"

"So I hear. But you're the only one allowed to touch it. Let's go. I'm hungry."

"You already had your dinner."

"That's not what I'm hungry for."

Her eyes widened. "Oh."

Wrapping a warm scarf around Raven's neck, she turned to the sisters.

"How about you aunties take the kids home. We'll see you back at the house."

Kelly snickered. "Right. You have work to do in the office."

A wide grin on his face, Kane had eyes only for Ry. "You've got it, sis. Now get out of here."

The women left with the kids, calling out ribald comments until Ry slammed the door behind them, locking it tight.

"You have your coat on."

"We can remedy that. Come with me, husband."

She took his hand and walked with him to the office, closing the door behind them, and locking it as well.

"Now, where do we start? I have a lot of paperwork to do," she said in a serious tone.

When he moved in behind her, his fingers undoing the buttons on her coat, she shivered with excitement. She was home.

###
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Franny Armstrong is a mother of three and a grandmother of four. Her husband supports her imagination and has the patience of a saint. She's been writing since she was a child, creating plays to act out in front of the neighborhood children. .She charged them five cents admission to join her in the family garage for the play.

Since 2002, after a serious breakdown, Franny had to express herself on the computer since she couldn't speak, everything coming out gibberish at that time. She's slowly healed to the point that she can function fairly well. Writing was the best medicine for her, and still is.

Franny loves to write about rainforests and Caribbean islands rather than about cities. Her characters are well rounded and share her wacky sense of humor.

She sincerely hopes that you love her novels.
Other books by this author

Please visit your favorite ebook retailer to discover other books by Franny Armstrong:

Single stories

Amazon Intrigue

White Trash Witch

Gravity SUCKS!

Forever Blowing Bubbles

The Love Is To DIE For... series

Book One: Authors Beware

Book Two: We Be Jumpin'

Book Three: Fire's Witness

Book Four: Wind's Tempest

Book Five: Water's Fall

Team Toxic Tango series

Jinn & Toxic

Minx Juliette

7th Eye Private Investigators

The Mystic Touch

Intruder ALERT!
Connect with Franny Armstrong

I really appreciate you reading my book!

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