Hungry Like the Wolf(26)

No, they didn’t. “Okay, so Hardy thinks the government is out to get him. What does any of this have to do with my investigation of SWAT?”

“Because while Hardy might not be able to go after some supposed government officials who gave the orders to kill his son, he can go after the people who pulled the trigger. He’s going to make someone pay, Mac, and that someone is SWAT.”

Her editor had good reason to be worried, but as sensible as it was to keep her distance from all things SWAT at the moment, she couldn’t do that. It wasn’t that she was crazy or reckless. She simply knew a good story when she saw one. And this story had just gotten better.

Ted must have figured that out, too, because he sighed. “I’m not going to be able to stop you, am I? Then at least promise me you’ll be careful.”

“I will,” she said. When he lifted a brow, she added, “I promise.”

***

Gage knocked on her door exactly on time. No surprise there. He’d probably gotten to her apartment building ten minutes early just so he could drive around and memorize the layout of the neighborhood.

Mac gave her reflection one more look in the bedroom’s full-length mirror, wondering for about the tenth time if she should have worn jeans instead of the little black dress she had on. But somewhere between the fourth and fifth change of clothes, she’d admitted to herself that this date was about more than simply being a means to an end. She liked spending time with Gage. That wasn’t such a bad thing, right?

Of course, if Gage took her to the local pizza place down the street, she was going to regret not wearing something more casual.

Her worries disappeared when she opened the door to discover the SWAT commander hadn’t gone the jeans and T-shirt route, either. Instead, he was wearing a suit that showed off his impressive height and wide shoulders. Damn, he looked good enough to eat.

Gage flashed her a smile. “Hope I’m not too early.”

“You’re perfect.” If he was any more perfect, there’d have to be a warning label on him. “Let me grab my purse.”

When she turned back around, she found Gage eyeing her like she was going to be on tonight’s menu. If any other man undressed her with his eyes like that, she would have been uncomfortable. But the heat from his molten eyes made her warm all over.

“You look beautiful,” he said as they rode down in the elevator.

“Thank you.” She smiled. “I’m just glad I picked the right one. I didn’t realize until I started getting dressed that I never asked where we were going.”

“I made reservations at Chambre Francaise. I hope that’s okay with you?”

Whoa. Mac was so surprised she teetered a little on her high heels as she stepped out of the elevator. Chambre Francaise was one very fancy restaurant, not to mention ungodly expensive. And about as far from the pizza place down the street as you could get and still be on the same planet. It definitely wasn’t the type of place she imagined Gage taking her. He seemed more like a steak-and-potatoes guy. Apparently, looks could be deceiving. She felt bad about the dent having dinner there was going to leave in Gage’s wallet, though.

“You didn’t have to do that,” she said. “I know how difficult it can be getting into that place.”

Gage opened the door of his shiny, black Dodge Charger for her—no guy had done that for her since her high school crush had taken her to the prom.

He gave her a lopsided grin. “I probably shouldn’t be telling you this, but the only reason I was able to get in the place at all is because I helped out the head chef’s son a while back. He promised me a table for two anytime I asked.”

“Now, that sounds like a story I’d be interested in hearing. But still,” she said when he’d climbed in beside her and started the engine, “Chambre Francaise is a very nice place. And expensive.”

He glanced at her as he guided the car out of the parking garage and into downtown traffic. “I’m sure it’ll be money well spent.”

That look turned up the heat between them even more. “You think?”

“I do,” he said. “Although in the interest of full disclosure, I have to tell you the table also comes with a major discount. Which is actually the only way I’m able to afford to take you there. But like they say, it’s the thought that counts.”

She couldn’t help laughing. “You really do hang out with men all day, don’t you? Little piece of advice—don’t let a woman know she’s getting dinner at a discount. It sort of ruins the gesture.”

He chuckled. “For some reason I thought a journalist like you would be fixated on the truth.”