“Too bad neither of you killed him in there last night,” Lily quipped. “It’d save us all this trouble.”
Amber sighed. “I didn’t get a long enough look to see where he was in that room.”
“That’s because you were looking for Mr. McMillan here.” Lily stood up, stretched, and took her empty cup with her to the door. “Oh well, another wasted opportunity there, that’s all. Why can’t anyone see how easy it is? Kill this Greta bitch and Dilaver and we solve all these problems. But no, we’ll go off and find the bomb while they chase us everywhere. See you all later.”
After she left, Hawk remarked, “Bloodthirsty woman, isn’t she?”
“Lily and the army of one,” Brad said, looking at the closed door. “You take down Dilaver, there’ll be another in his place in a matter of days.”
“And all the factions would start another civil war to grab land and power, and more UN and U.S. soldiers will be deployed,” Hawk said. “So we’re back to square one. Get the bomb before the KLA does. It’s got to be a different kind of bomb, Brad, or they would just rig up some ordinary plastic. I’m going to try to find out what it is when I call my contact.”
Brad got up. “You do that. I have a few things to take care of before we leave, too. Call me.”
Amber followed him out and then locked the door. She turned to Hawk.
“And now, before we talk, I want to see every little bruise and cut,” she said. She had this need to touch him all over, feel his heat under her hands, make sure he was truly all right.
“Come here,” Hawk said, patting his front. “I’ll let you be on top.”
Smiling, Amber shook her head. If the man had a concussion, it hadn’t affected his libido.
Lily slipped into her jacket, pulling the collar up. She pulled the gloves out of the pockets, turned, and bumped into Brad.
“I thought you were tired.”
She noticed that he always kept his distance when he stood by her, which should make her happy. So why did it irritate her? “I can’t. Need to walk off some of my energy.”
“Be careful.”
“I’m the only one no one’s looking for, remember?” she pointed out. “But I’ll be extra careful. You aren’t going to sic your guys out there on me, are you?”
“One might follow you, make sure you’re okay.”
Lily rolled her eyes. “Oh, please, Brad, that’s so secret-agent. Haven’t I proven that I can take care of myself?”
Brad moved a step closer, his eyes studying her closely. “I know you can. Why do you do that all the time?”
Lily frowned. “What do you mean, why do I take care of myself all the time?”
“Yes. You always act so independent, like you don’t need anyone. Is it to push people away or to keep yourself safe?”
The hair on the back of her neck stood up. He was suddenly standing way too close. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“What’s Project Precious?”
Lily blinked. “That’s none of your business,” she hissed sharply, then wished she had kept her cool. He was studying her reaction.
“I just wanted you to know that I know,” Brad said quietly. “Lily, it doesn’t matter to me what that CIA file says. If nothing else, it makes me admire you even more.”
A part of her wanted to kill him for knowing. Yet another part was relieved. Maybe he would understand her for what she was. But she couldn’t allow him to share the information. Not yet, anyway. “You don’t know anything. Those are just words written down by somebody. What I have is in here.” She tapped her forehead. “Don’t dig up information on me, Brad. I don’t need your or anyone’s pity. The last thing I want right now is to have Amber worried about me.”
Brad searched her eyes and she stared back into his, willing herself not to show her fears. “I understand,” he finally said, “but I also want you to know that my feelings for you haven’t changed, Llallana. You’re special to me.”
His smile was so tender, she wanted to walk up to him and lay her head against his chest, have him wrap his strong arms around her and take away the loneliness. But there was always reality. And it was buzzing for her in her coat pocket.
“Thanks, Brad,” she said, smiling back. “I’ll think about that during my walk.”
She could tell he was disappointed that she didn’t invite him along, but she needed to take this call. She was the only person left who could help the girls.
