Page 209 of Chameleon Killer

“It reclines emotionally.” That sofa and I went way back. I’d slept there for months before Blythe finally moved out. Slept there until I bought a new bed.

“Don't.”

I almost smiled, but Mallory wasn't smiling anymore. “We haven't talked about anything that isn't the investigation.”

“We've been busy.”

“Flint.”

I almost sighed. I knew that tone. There would be no avoiding this conversation, despite the need for sleep. Mallory was going to drag us into it whether I liked it or not.

I looked away. I knew it was a mistake before I even did it because Mallory missed nothing.

“You're still angry,” she spoke in that soft voice that forced others to really listen.

“No.” I didn’t even believe me, so why would she?

“That's still bullshit.”

“I wasn't angry.” That I could sell.

“Sure, if we were talking about the past. But we’re not…”

Damn journalistic acumen. I could almost hate how sharp she was if it wasn’t so damn sexy. Fine… “I was concerned.” That was a concession and hopefully enough of one.

“Was?” Nope, definitely not enough of one.

“Am.”

“Better.”

I met her gaze in the same moment she seemed to realize the word she’d chosen to use. Better. Pretty sure Simon had used that one with her based on her reaction.

Mallory looked down at her coffee. “I’m sorry.”

The genuine regret in her voice tugged at me. “For what?”

“That word is currently ruined.”

“It’s a word, Mal,” I promised her. “The English language is full of them. I'll survive.”

She rubbed one thumb against the side of the mug. “I told you about Brewster because I trusted you.”

“I know.”

“And then you backed off.”

“That wasn't punishment.” A harsh sigh escaped me. I really wasn’t sure we should have this conversation. It could go so wrong in so many ways. She needed me and I needed to be here.

If we opened up this can—it could blow up in our faces.

“It felt like it.”

The words raked through me, not with injury. She wasn’t throwing them in my face or even accusing me. She was telling me, because it had hurt her and that… I couldn’t stand that.

I set my mug down. “I didn't know what you needed.”

“You could have asked.” The admonishment gave me pause.