“Is that how things usually work in your world?You treat people terribly, make demands, and get your hired muscle to ensure things go the way you want?”A considering pause from Lily.“By the way, the back of your gown is gaping open.”She cleared her throat.“You have a great ass, even if your attitude leaves much to be desired.”
He felt a smile tug at his lips.Weird to smile after all that had happened that night.He rolled back his shoulders and marched for the exam table.Atlas set the duffle bag on top of the table and pulled out the items inside.A black bra.Matching panties.
“Those can’t be in your size,” she murmured.
“Nope, but they are in yours.”The panties and bra dangled from his fingers.
“And how did your head of security know my size?”
He turned toward her, still holding the underwear.“Because from the first moment that you reached out, requesting that initial one-on-one chat, I made it a point to learn every single thing that I could about you.”
“Everything…like the size of my underwear?”
“Um.I believe in being thorough.”Always.
She grabbed for the panties.And the bra.“So do I.”Her fingers brushed against his.
He felt the spark at her touch, just as he’d felt it before.Even when they’d been in that damn basement.
She yanked her hand—and the underwear—back from him as if she’d been burned.
Surely, she wasn’t afraid of him?Or his touch?Perhaps she should realize that trust was going to be necessary in their relationship.“Didn’t you once spend a month interviewing that serial bomber from Chicago?”Atlas asked the question even though he knew the answer.
Her gaze didn’t falter.“Yes.”
“He wouldn’t talk with anyone else, but he agreed to chat with you.For hours and hours.Told you how he created the bombs, where he planted them, and even how he timed the explosions.”
Her head inclined.“Richard Hawthorne told me all of that.”
He reached into the bag.Pulled out sweatpants.Far too small for him.Just as the sweatshirt he pulled out was too small.He handed both to her.“I suppose you became a bit of an expert on bombs after all that time with Richard.”
“How about you just get right to the point?”She curled her hands around the clothing.“Are you asking me if I set the bomb at the cabin?”
Not exactly.“I’m asking…couldyou have set the bomb?If you wanted to do so, of course.”
Her eyes glittered at him.“Yes.I could have set the bomb.Did I do it?No.”
He smiled at her.Trust.He’d be the one who showed it first.“I’ll change first, then I’ll go outside so you can have your privacy.”
She whipped around, giving him her back.“I won’t look at you.”
“Why the fuck not?I’m not shy.”He hadn’t told her not to look.In fact, “Look all you want, sweets.Have at me.”He ripped away the hospital gown, balled it up, and tossed it into the nearby garbage can.
Her shoulders stiffened, but she didn’t look back.“I am trying to give you privacy.We are going to have a professional relationship?—”
His laughter cut through her words.“I just asked you if you set a bomb that killed a cop, and you think I’m gonna be professional?”
“I didnotkill Benedict!”Anger flashed in her words.
No, Atlas didn’t think that she’d killed the cop, but she had cried for him.“Did you fuck him?”
Now she did whip around.Red fired in her cheeks.
“Sorry.I already put on my jogging pants.”He had.“You missed the main show.”
Her gaze immediately dropped at his words.Only to whip back up.“You’replayingwith me.”
“Well, admittedly, I’m not some professional when it comes to mind games, not like you are, but I do know how to get by.”That ability came from having a sadistic prick of a father who’d raised him.Molded him.Tried to make him into the worst beast on earth.
