Lily hurried in the limo after Atlas.Desmond slammed the door behind them, then assumed a protective position outside the vehicle.And, Carl, bless him, took off.
Her breath heaved in and out.In and out.And her hand extended toward Atlas.“I believe you have something that belongs to me?”She needed that diary back.
But, instead of handing it to her, he settled a bit more comfortably against the leather seat.Then he smiled.Those dimples were a flashing red light.Danger.Danger.
Her heart thudded hard in her chest.
And he asked, “What is it worth to you?”
Desmond Yoruba watchedthe limo drive away.Lily Gallo made him want to smile.She’d looked so horrified by his offer.Not exactly what he and Atlas had expected when they’d begun digging into the woman’s life.
Desmond had thought she’d be colder.More controlled.Lethal.And, she probably was lethal, but the woman clearly did not have a full killer instinct.At least, not yet.Maybe that would change after she spent more time with Atlas.Atlas had a way of pulling out a person’s dark side.
“You gonna lie for your boss?”
Ah, that would be the prick Fed.Desmond turned toward him, quirking a brow.
“FBI Special Agent Gage Emerick,” he said, introducing himself and offering his hand.
Desmond knew the name.He was sure that Atlas had recognized it, too.After all, they’d come across the man when they did Lily’s initial background report, though he was sure that Atlas had played it cool and probably acted as if he knew nothing about the guy.That was Atlas’s way, always keeping his secrets close.
Gage Emerick had been Lily’s last lover.Over a year ago.Then, almost overnight, Lily had seemingly severed all contact with the man.
What did you do to piss off Lily Gallo?
“You’re Desmond Yoruba, aren’t you?”Gage asked as he wiggled his fingers.
Ah.So Gage had been doing his research, too.Not exactly surprising.Desmond took the offered hand, found the grip a little too weak, and let the man go.“Guilty.”
Gage frowned at him.“At least you didn’t try to break my hand the way Atlas did.The dude clearly has something to prove.”
No, Atlas had probably just been pissed.Maybe jealous, too.Jealousy would be new for Atlas.His friend might not know how to handle the emotion.“He doesn’t like people touching things that belong to him.”
Gage backed up a step.“So…wait, are you talking about Lily?Me and Lily?I haven’ttouchedher in?—”
“You touched her here today.I saw you.So did he.We both also saw how you looked at her.You should be careful.You really don’t want Atlas as an enemy.”
“More threats.Noted.”A muscle flexed along Gage’s jaw.“Atlas Bennett was abducted.Maybe I’m trying tohelphim and Lily?How about we all consider that option?I’m with the Behavior Analysis Unit, and I am good at my job.I know killers.”
Give yourself a cookie.I know them, too.Because I was turned into one when I was just a kid.Information he did not share with most people.“Are you as good as Lily?”Desmond asked instead.The question was a deliberate taunt.“Do you know them as well as she does?Because I’m pretty sure she’s an expert.”Then, because he could sense some blood in the water, he added, “Is that why you and Lily were so close, for so long?Because she was helping you toknowkillers?”
“I’m not the bad guy here.”Faint lines bracketed Gage’s mouth.“I care about Lily.I want to keep her safe.”He pointed back toward the house.“Someone out there clearly wants to hurt her.”
It did appear that Lily had attracted too much of the perp’s attention.
“Your boss was abducted whenyouwere supposed to be keeping him safe.So you can see where I’m concerned.I’m worried that maybe you and Atlas Bennett aren’t up to the task of protecting Lily.”
Desmond narrowed his eyes.“I can do my job.”
“Really?Then where were you when Atlas was taken?”
Oh, such a prick.
“If you were doing your job, just how did Atlas get taken?”
Desmond just stared at him.
“Did he ditch his protective detail?”Gage pressed.“Give you orders to stand down?If so, why would he do something like that?”Gage’s hand returned to his side.Rested near his holster.“Because you’re supposed to be the best out there when it comes to security.At least, that’s the word I picked up.”
