Page 26 of Fox in Plain Sight

Slowly, she turned, facing him. She tried a smile but failed.

“Sorry, I, uh… didn’t mean to frighten you earlier.” He ran a hand through his damp hair, looking utterly crushed. “The nightmares, they’ve become less frequent.”

“Nightmares?” she echoed.

“Yeah. I was in Iraq. It was hell.” He dropped his gaze to his feet.

“Iraq? You were in the war?” Did that explain at least his nightmares? It could. And oddly enough it could also explain other things. If he was ex-military, then it made even more sense that Smith had hired him to keep tabs on her.

“Yeah. One tour, but it was enough.” He paused. “Listen, I’d better go. I’ve got work to do. I’ll call you tonight?”

She nodded quickly, eager for him to leave her apartment. When he walked up to her instead, she tensed. He froze a foot away from her, clearly having noticed her apprehension.

“I’m sorry again, I know it must have scared you.” He leaned in and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

“It’s okay.” Michelle forced a smile.

“Talk later, okay?”

Nick turned and walked to the door, grabbing his backpack on the way out. Only when the door snapped shut behind him was she able to breathe again.

“Oh God,” she murmured to herself. “I’ve slept with the enemy.”