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His hand engulfed hers as he pulled her back against his front and they watched the statue grow larger. How many people had made this journey and hoped that it signified the start of a better life, the culmination of dreams and everlasting happiness? There was something special about sharing this with him. Magical. That feeling remained with her throughout their tour around Lady Liberty, then as they went on to Ellis Island.

Perhaps this was the start of her true happiness, too.

After walking through the museum at Ellis Island, they were tired and ready for a drink and a late lunch. The ferry ride back seemed longer than the trip out, and by the time they reached the mainland again and hailed a cab, they were ravenous.

Anna suggested they go to Mesa Grill, one of her favorite places. In minutes, they were sipping on a couple of the restaurant's famous margaritas and recounting their day. As Gray enthused over his favorite parts of the ferry ride, Anna couldn't help but notice how sexy he looked, even windblown. Truthfully, he was more stunning like this, with his hair tousled, eyes shining from the excitement of being together.

They talked for a while about growing up. Once their food arrived, he took a bite and regarded her thoughtfully.

“You mentioned some tension before between you and your mom. You guys don't get along?”

“It's not that,” she said. “Mom doesn't get me. Never has. My choices would never be hers, and that baffles her about me. Plus, she tends to say what she thinks without realizing that sometimes she's hurting my feelings.”

“That's not so unusual for parents. But you love her, I can tell by your tone.”

“With all my heart. Even when I could strangle her, she's my one constant. And she does love me, even if she has the tact of a bulldozer sometimes.”

He laughed, causing attractive lines to crinkle at the corners of his eyes. “She sounds like quite a character.”

“You have no idea.” Margaret would probably eat Gray for lunch.

Just then, his phone buzzed, interrupting their conversation. He glanced at the display. “I'm sorry. I have to take this.”

“No problem.”

She watched curiously as he rose, answering at the same time. She couldn't help but wonder who he was talking to and why, but it was none of her business. He wasn't gone but five minutes or so, and then was back wearing a smile.

“Sorry about that.”

“Anything wrong?”

“Not at all. It's just that . . . I wanted to get in one or two more sights today, but there's somewhere I need to go after this.”

“Oh.” Disappointment stabbed her, unexpected and unwelcome. “That's okay, we can do more another day. I can just take a cab and you can go from here.”

“You misunderstand. I want you to go with me. In fact, I need you there, because my errand involves you.”

She stared at him in confusion. “Really?” Happiness bloomed again. “Do I get to know what we're doing?”

“Nope. It's a surprise.”

“I'm not good with surprises. I'm too nosy.”

“Well, then, you'll learn.”

He wouldn't budge on giving her even a tiny hint, and that ate at her for the rest of their meal. When they were finished, Anna picked up the check this time, ignoring his objections. They hailed a cab, and Gray gave the driver an address a few blocks from their apartment building.

It turned out to be another apartment, not quite as nice as hers and Gray's. He ushered her up a set of steps and knocked on the door, waiting. She was completely mystified as to what they could possibly be doing here, and a sliver of trepidation snaked down her spine. It fled, though, when an attractive middle-aged woman opened the door with a big smile.

“You must be Gray?”

“Yes, ma'am. I spoke to you on the phone about your ad.”

Ad? The woman led them inside, and Anna glanced around, waiting for an explanation. It wasn't long in coming.

“Come back this way,” the woman said. “I'm afraid there's only one left, but he's a cutie. Had his first shots and worming, and he's litter-trained already.”

“We'll have a look,” Gray replied.

What on earth? He couldn't be up to what she was thinking . . .

In the small kitchen, the woman bent over a cardboard box, reached inside, and came up with a tiny fuzz ball of a kitten. “This is him. Six weeks old and ready for someone to love him. Want to hold him?” she asked Anna.

Instinctively, she reached for the kitten, gathered his delicate body in her hands. He peered up at her with big green eyes and let out a squeak—and she fell instantly in love. “Oh my God,” she breathed. “What a precious baby.”

He was, too. His fur was charcoal gray from nose to tail, with not a speck of other color in between. A fluffy little face gazed at her in what could only be described as mutual adoration, and she knew she was sunk.

“Gray, I can't take care of a kitten.” The statement didn't carry much conviction.

“Tell that to him,” he said, pointing to the cat. From his smirk, he was obviously pleased with himself.

“I don't know the first thing about pets.”

“It's not that hard. Food, water, a clean bed, and love.” He shrugged. “That's all.”

“I'm gone for hours sometimes.”

“So you won't work as many late hours, knowing you've got someone waiting for your attention.”

She shot him a look that was supposed to be a glare, but didn't quite make it. “I'm thinking there was an ulterior motive in there.”

“So? It's working, isn't it?”

Yes, it was. Now that she was holding her very own kitten against her chest, there was no way she was leaving without him. She could swear they'd already imprinted on each other.

“What do you think? Do you want him?” the woman prodded.

“Yes,” she heard herself say. “I'll take him. How much?”

“Just the cost of the shots, plus kitten food you can take with you. Babies are cute, but I'm not letting my cat have any more of them. Got her fixed.” She named a reasonable figure, and in less than ten minutes Gray had paid the lady and they were on the street with one wide-eyed kitten and a few pet supplies.

“Now what?” she asked, cradling her newest family member.

“We need a litter box. Let's pick one up on the way home. That way you'll be set.”

As a cab moved up the street toward them, she looked into Gray's handsome face. “Thank you. He's beautiful.”

Leaning in, she thanked him more thoroughly with a lingering kiss that ended when the cab came to a stop and the kitten began to squirm between them. Laughing, they got into the car and were on their way.

“What will you name him?”

She studied his coloring. “Sterling, I think.”

“It fits. Great name.” Putting an arm around her, he kissed her.

It wasn't until later that night, snuggled on the sofa against Gray, with Sterling in a little ball on her lap, that the enormity of this day—this moment—really hit.

She was in so much trouble here. With this man, she could have a life. Complete with pets, laughter, love. The whole nine yards.

And as scary as it seemed, it was fantastic, too.

She never wanted this to end.

***

“You want me to meet your mother?”

Gray stared at Anna and tried to swallow the sudden surge of panic that threatened to explode in his chest. “I've never done the parent thing before.”

Disappointment shadowed her happiness, and she worried her bottom lip. “Too much, too soon?”

“No, I was just surprised, that's all.” He smiled at her to cover his discomfort. “This thing between us is still new, and I didn't want to push you too hard.”

“Liar,” she stated, incredulous. “You've done nothing
but
push since you first laid eyes on me. But I know meeting Mom is different, so never mind.”

“No, wait. I didn't say I didn't want to meet her,” he said, laying a hand over hers. “The answer is yes—we're on. I'd love to have dinner with you and your mom when you treat her here at the restaurant.”

Her smile blinded him—and infused him with horrible guilt. The past few days had been the best of his life, spending every minute he could with his lover, falling more and more for her each second. He wanted something real with Anna, but not like this. Not surrounded by lies and subterfuge, pretending to be someone he wasn't. But he didn't see a way out of his mess until the investigation was over.

“Beware,” she warned him. “My mother is sort of overwhelming.”

“I'll consider myself forewarned.” He stood, needing to get out of her office, put a bit of distance between himself and the source of both his guilt and joy. “I have to close tonight, so I don't know if you'll want to wait for me. If you don't, call a cab or I'll worry about your walking home alone with that mugger still on the loose.”

Gray, you're a manipulative bastard.

She gave a shiver. “I'll wait for you, if that's all right.”

“I'm glad.” He paused at the door. “See you in a while.”

“Okay.”

His shift went slowly, the clock moving as if mired in molasses. He hated this fucking fake job and couldn't imagine why anyone would want to work for a screaming prima donna like Ethan. Every day he felt like he was trapped in one of those hellacious reality shows, like that one where the chef shrieked at his underlings constantly and turned so red, Gray was surprised he hadn't had a stroke by now.

In Gray's
real
job, if a madman screamed in his face while Gray was wielding a paring knife, said nutcase would get the knife planted between his ribs.

That grim thought made him smile. Unfortunately, it also earned Ethan's eagle eye.

“What's so fucking funny? Do you find celery to be humorous?”

Everyone in the kitchen gave the chef, and Gray, a wide berth and a wary eye as they continued to scurry about their tasks like mice.

Do not stick the blade in his neck and thrust. You won't look good in prison orange.
His grip tightened on the handle. “No, Chef.”

“Then why are you standing there smiling instead of chopping, dickweed?” he bellowed. “Are you thinking about what else you can fuck up? New and creative ways to piss me off? Maybe you'd like to throw something else all over the floor so I can fire your stupid ass?”

Yes, actually, I would. Please, as God is my witness, fire me, asshole.
“No, Chef.” He paused. “I was just thinking how you remind me of that guy on cable. The chef who yells a lot but is brilliant. You know, the best at what he does. You're awesome, like him, and you should have your own show.”

Ethan blinked at him, not having a clue what to do with the compliment. Probably he'd never received one in his life. A couple of quiet snickers came from somewhere in the kitchen, and the chef whipped his head around, futilely searching for the sources. Unable to spot the offenders, he turned his scowl back to Gray. A lot of his steam had vanished, however.

“Yeah? Well, just do your job, shithead. And wipe the smile off your face.”

“Yes, sir.”
Shove it up your airtight asshole, sir.

An hour before closing, things had died down considerably. Ethan went home, thank God, leaving cleanup and prep for the next day to the lowlifes. Peace and quiet reigned, and Gray took care of his station dutifully, cursing every dreaded minute. At least when he found a special woman to marry him, he'd be damned good at assisting in the kitchen.
See, there's a bright side.

He was so caught up in his musings that he didn't notice that two of the kitchen staff he'd had under watch had left the area several minutes ago, as had become their habit. Their stations weren't clean, which meant they'd probably be back and were still around here somewhere. He had to find them and see what they were up to now.

Slipping his hand into his dress whites, he reassured himself that his mini camera was still in place and ready for action. Quickly, he sent a text message to Simon that he was going to look for them.

He was almost out of the kitchen when another worker called out, “You leave without putting your shit in order and Ethan's going to shove you in the oven like the witch in Hansel and Gretel and bake you, man.” A laugh followed that prediction.

Gray gave the kid an icy glare. “I'm heading to the john. I'll be back.”

Christ, he hoped the guy didn't say anything to the two missing subjects if they returned before Gray did. That's all he needed, to end up floating in New York Harbor.

Keeping an eye out for Anna and other staff members, he eased down the hallway that led to the dining room. A quick look around revealed only Brandon, changing the tablecloths and doing setups for the next day. The kid didn't see him, so he turned and went back down the hallway in the opposite direction.

Quickly, he checked the men's room, which was empty, as was the large walk-in freezer. Then the stairwell, listening carefully for voices. Nothing. Once he'd searched every inch of the floor, he stopped to think.

Unless Hernandez and Keene had left the building entirely, the most logical place to go was down. Floor Fifty-Five occupied the entire top floor of the building. The other floors were various offices for businesses. None of those floors were vacant and would be a good place for two criminals to meet.

That left one area—the basement. He didn't really expect to find anything there, either, but in the interest of being thorough, he'd check it out.

Pausing, Gray considered his options. He had three, the first two of them less than palpable. One, he could take the noisy service elevator. If there were suspects down there, his actions would alert everyone that he was coming. Like
that
wouldn't earn him a bullet to the head in two seconds flat.

Second, he could walk down all fifty-five flights of steps, sneak up, and get his pictures. If he didn't expire of heart failure first. Not going to happen.