Gage’s jaw hardened.“That’s it?”
“It’s been a really long night.So, yes, that’s it.”
“Lily.”Her name came from between Gage’s clenched teeth.“Give me something to work with.”
Why?So you can try to lock up Atlas?Or me?
“I don’t appreciate the tone that you’re using with Lily, and I’d wager she doesn’t like it, either.”Again, Atlas’s voice was brutally…polite.
Which seemed oddly intimidating.She grimaced.“I am not a fan,” she agreed.Then she was the one reaching out for Atlas, mostly because she was worried about just what he might do next.He seemed far too controlled, and those peeking dimples and that cold grin were a stark warning.One that Gage didn’t seem to understand.“Let’s go.”
Atlas’s hand flew up and caught hers.But then he turned her wrist.Shoved up the sleeve on the sweatshirt.“For your edification, Agent Emerick, we weren’t holding hands the whole time.She was cuffed to me.Every damn moment in the basement.Every moment.She fought to save me.Then when we went to the hospital, where plenty of people saw us both.Yes, we were separated during some imaging scans, but that separation was very, very brief.Check with the nurses.Check with Dr.Phillip Owen.Lily and I stayed together nearly every single moment.She’s notlyingto you, and don’t ever fucking accuse her of lying—or of any other crime—again.If you do that shit in front of me, it will be a fatal mistake.”
But Gage surged toward him.“That’s the second time you’ve threatened?—”
“You think I don’t have pull at the FBI, dumbass?”Still a polite tone, but savage words.“I had dinner with the deputy director last week.You do not want to screw around with me.Get on my bad side, and it will be the worst mistake you’ll ever make.”His fingers slid lightly over her bruised wrist.“Come on, sweets, let’s get you to bed.”
Gage was gaping at him.Atlas hadn’t threatened the Fed’s life.He’d threatened to take away his job, his power.A far more effective threat to someone like Gage.
She didn’t want to stay in that bedroom another moment.What she hadn’t told Gage…she could see rage there.Feel it.The person searching her room had grown increasingly angry—and all of that rage had been directed at her.There had been no need to smash the small, ceramic pieces on her bookshelves.The little dragons had just been fun pieces that she’d picked up because she liked the whimsy of them.She’d had some of those little book dragons for years.
But…
The intruder had smashed them.Just as he’d slashed the artwork on her walls.He’d gone right to the heart of the house—her most intimate spot—and he’d destroyed everything he saw.
What a sonofabitch.
Not a clinical term but…
“How long have the two of you been involved?”Gage asked.He’d followed them through the house and onto the porch.
Her gaze swept the exterior scene.A local news van had just parked.Desmond paced impatiently near the limo.She didn’t see Carl.Wait, was he behind the limo’s steering wheel?Yes, yes, he was.
Carl and Desmond were ready for a getaway.Good, so was she.
“How long?”Gage pressed.
Since they weren’t involved and Atlas had just done that whole spiel about Gage not accusing her of being a liar, Lily figured she’d just keep quiet and, uh, not lie.
“Lily began emailing me quite some time ago.”Atlas’s calm and cool voice.“I’m sure I can dig up the first note if you want a specific date, but, frankly, you’re just annoying me so I don’t feel like going to the effort.”Atlas threaded his fingers with hers as they walked down the sidewalk and toward the limo, but he paused and turned back toward the Fed.“We were victims tonight.In light of this break-in, my Lily was a victimtwice.I would think that someone who cares about her would be showing a bit more kindness under the circumstances.Perhaps some sympathy.And not just acting like a jealous prick because she found someone better to fuck.”
What?
“Your loss,” Atlas continued seeming to be utterly unconcerned with Gage.“But I’m not a dumbass like you so I won’t make your mistakes.Have to admit, it was not exactly a pleasure meeting you, and, unfortunately, I’m sure our paths will cross again.”
Yes, okay,done.She dragged him toward the limo.Double timed it because she was a bit worried about what he might say next.
“Is he being a pain in the ass?”Desmond asked softly when she passed him.
“Major,” she responded.
“Want me to eliminate him?”
Wait, what?It took her a beat to realize he was talking about Gage, not Atlas.He was offering to eliminateGage.“He’s a Fed.And no one is eliminatinganyone.”
Desmond shrugged.“Tell me if you change your mind.”
“I am not changing my mind.”She pushed Atlas’s broad back to get him in the limo.The blonde newscaster from Channel Five had just hopped out of her van and was torpedoing toward them.
