InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Hijacked Honeymoon ❯ Chapter 12

Hijacked Honeymoon

 

Chapter 12

 

Sesshomaru didn't like taking Kagome into town where, despite the wig, she could easily be recognized, and where Hojo had built up a network of contacts—but Kincaid had believed this stop necessary. Apparently Sango would continue to stir up trouble unless Kagome convinced her friend that she was okay.

 

On the way to Canfield, he counted five posters on telephone poles showing Kagome's face and promising a reward for tips that led authorities to her. And back at the shopping center, he'd seen her picture on the front page of the local paper with the headline Canfield's Runaway Bride.

 

Sesshomaru hoped Kincaid would get a bead on what Hojo was thinking and doing. Yet, infiltrating the FBI when one suspected an agent of duplicity had to be tricky. However, if anyone could get results, his boss would be the one to accomplish it.

 

“Where does Sango live?” Sesshomaru asked again, suspecting Kagome had lied to him the first time he'd asked that question. She wasn't a good liar and he felt certain it was from the lack of practice. When she'd told Sango had two roommates, Kagome had looked upward and to the left, her voice had tightened and the pulse in her graceful neck had escalated.

 

“She's in the penthouse condo over on the corner of Main and Pickle Street.” Kagome pointed west. “Turn left at the Y junction.”

 

“She doesn't have any roommates, does she?”

 

an attractive pink tinged her cheeks. “No. Sorry, I shouldn't have lied. It's been difficult for me to figure out what's really going on. I wanted to protect Sango.”

 

“I understand.” And he approved of her instinctive loyalty. Sesshomaru understood that kind of commitment. He'd risked his life many times for others in the Shey Group, and they'd done the same for him, forging bonds that he expected to last a lifetime. “What about an alarm system?”

 

“I know the code.”

 

Knowing the alarm was there would prevent him from setting it off by accident. More important, he sensed that Kagome was trusting him more all the time.

 

He didn't elaborate that Kincaid had recently hired an expert jewel thief who considered breaking in to the world's finest museums a lark. After the man had finished training the entire Shey group, not many locks would keep them out. “But I'm hoping that when we knock on the door, she'll be home and invite us in. tell me about Sango's place. Does her penthouse encompass the entire top floor of the building?”

 

“Yes. She's on the eighth floor.”

 

“Any other tall building around it?”

 

“Just the television station across the street where Sango works during the week. Why?”

 

“Just curious.” He didn't want to mention that if he was Hojo's position he'd have surveillance watching Kagome's best friend on the off chance Kagome might show up. “Does the building have a doorman?”

 

She chuckled. “This is Alabama.”

 

“Yeah, right. Okay, you said no roommates. What about a boyfriend?”

 

Kagome shook her head and used the opportunity to scratch under the wig. “Not at the moment.”

 

“Does her family have keys to her place?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Do they visit often? Pop in unannounced?”

 

“Yes and yes.”

 

He refrained from groaning. Normally, he'd case the place, keep watch until he was sure Sango was alone, and he'd have help. But the Shey Group was spread thin right now, and he wouldn't ask Jack to return and miss being with his newborn and his wife when Sesshomaru could manage on his own.

 

However, between the publicity and the townsfolk, he hated to risk anyone spotting Kagome. They'd have to wait for dark and go in fast. “Tell me about Sango's family and what they do for a living.”

 

“Her brother's a karate instructor. Her mom's a cop, and her father's the head of the Harley Rough Riders.”

 

For a moment, she had him going and then he burst into laughter. “Very funny. You want to try again?”

 

“Her dad's the president of the local bank. Her mom spends her time going from her manicurist to physical trainer to the golf course. And her bother is away at college. Sound safe enough?”

 

“Any dangerous dogs on the premises?”

 

“Sango has a saltwater fish tank full of assorted neon fish and a cat named Whiskers. She's been declawed so you should be safe.”

 

He didn't mind Kagome making fun of his precautions. In fact, he preferred her levity to when she thought he might be going there to kill her friend. But for now, at least, she seemed to have made up her mind that he meant no harm—and for that he was grateful.

 

“Does Sango keep regular hours?”

 

“Usually yes, but if she's drumming up publicity trying to find me…I don't know.”

 

“Does she have any weapons on the premises?”

 

That earned him a cool glance of amusement from Kagome. Why?”

 

“I don't want her to shoot us. Me because she's scared. You because she doesn't recognize you.”

 

“Oh, she'll recognize me.”

 

“How can you be so sure?”

 

Kagome chuckled. “Together Sango and I have tried bleaching and frosting and dying out hair every color under the sun.”

 

Okay. He would take her word for that and file it away. Sango's recognizing her friend could come in handy or blow their cover. Sesshomaru had to be prepared for either eventuality. “How many elevators are in the building?”

 

“Two.”

 

“Fire escapes?”

 

“One. On the south side of the building.” She gazed at him, curiosity in her eyes. “And you always this thorough?”

 

He snorted. “Thorough? This is the most superficial insertion I've ever done—especially when I'm supposed to be protecting you.”

 

“Sorry I'm so much trouble,” she said, not looking sorry at all. With her chin tilted at a cocky angle and her eyes gleaming with pleasure, he suspected she was looking forward to this visit with her friend.

 

He resigned himself to sharing her. Just because he liked being alone with her didn't mean she shouldn't visit Sango. Sesshomaru had never been the jealous type. In fact, he preferred women who had their own set of friends and interests.

 

He reminded himself that she wasn't his.

 

They had never gone on a date.

 

They hadn't kissed.

 

They barely knew each other, and he had no right to think of her in any way except as a client or as someone in need of protection. He reminded himself that just a few hours ago, she'd actually suspected he might harm her friend. But her suspicion didn't stop him from admiring her courage or her intelligence or her sexy curves. He especially enjoyed the way her eyes gleamed with excitement, revealing her capacity to care deeply for others.

 

He also didn't lie to himself. Their time together as far reminded him of combat—short and intense. They'd connected on levels he couldn't quite put into words. And if she was no longer fighting him, if she finally believed him, in part in was due to that connection.

 

He hoped he had no reason to break her trust. But that would depend on Kagome's ability to placate her friend. He could get them in. the rest would be up to Kagome. Curious what she would say to her friend, he asked, “You going to tell Sango the truth?”