The Bronzed Hawk Read Free Page B

he said thoughtfully, his eyes on her tense, eager face. “I wonder why it’s so important to you.”
    “I just told you,” Kelly said, evading his piercing glance. “I want to get a story.”
    “Perhaps,” he said absently, his eyes on the color that was again mounting to her cheeks. “But I don’t think that was the entire reason, was it? Now, let me see. What do I remember about one Kelly McKenna? You have a very memorable face, sweetheart. It should be easy to retrieve the facts to go with that face.”
    Oh, Lord, the man had a photographic memory, Kelly thought uneasily. There was little chance that he would fail to make the connection. “Don’t waste your time, Mr. O’Brien,” she saidwith forced lightness. “I’m always behind the camera, not in front of it.”
    “Not always, Goldilocks,” he corrected. “You were very much in front of the camera in Frankfurt three years ago. In fact, you made the cover of every weekly news magazine in the country. You were quite the little heroine.”
    “Bull. I was an unknown reporter who saw a way to get an exclusive that would get me national attention. Self-serving, perhaps, but hardly heroic.”
    “But the public didn’t see it that way, did they? They only saw a dainty, golden-haired Joan of Arc who marched bravely up the steps of the American embassy where twelve hostages were being held captive by terrorists. They heard her offer to exchange places with one of the hostages and saw a very frightened young secretary go free. You were only twenty years old and had everything to live for. There wasn’t a dry eye in any living room in America when you disappeared into that embassy.” His lips twisted mockingly. “It was all very touching.”
    “You evidently didn’t share their concern,” Kelly said. “Weren’t
you
moved by my plight?”
    “Oh, yes, I was moved,” he said quietly. “I was probably more terrified for you than any of those kindly souls who built a halo over your little head because I felt a certain empathy with you. It was as if I were in that embassy with you sharing your terror and your excitement.”
    “Excitement?”
    “You don’t have to pretend with me, sweetheart,” he said. “There was a brief close-up of you on that live TV news broadcast as you were talking to the terrorist leader right before you marched into that embassy. I might have been looking into a mirror. I’m not the only one who likes to take chances, am I, Kelly McKenna?”
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Kelly said, hoping she sounded convincing. “I told you that it was strictly ambition raising its ugly head. I saw a chance to make a smart career move, and I took it.” There was no way that she was going to admit to this dangerous man how well he had read her, even though she feltstrangely pleased that he not only understood but had actually shared her emotions.
    “You’re something of a freak yourself, Kelly, love. You’re an addict on the oldest drug in existence. You love to feel the adrenaline flow when you’re scared half out of your mind, don’t you? You love walking on the tightrope with the lions waiting and hungry below you.”
    “That’s crazy. I take chances because it’s my job, not because I enjoy it.”
    O’Brien shook his dark head. “We both know what we are, Kelly. But you shouldn’t have involved yourself in a no-win situation like the one in Frankfurt. That came pretty close to suicide.”
    “Nonsense. All the hostages were released at the airport, just as the terrorists promised.”
    “You were lucky, and you know it,” O’Brien said bluntly. “It could have just as well gone the other way.” He gave her a long, thoughtful look, which caused Kelly to shift uneasily. “I believe that I’m going to have to take you under my wing, Kelly. It’s too dangerous to have you running around loose.”
    “I’ve been taking care of myself for over fiveyears and done a fairly competent job of it, Mr.