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“The company I work for, CyberFort… They make a substantial donation to the aquarium every year, so I called in a few favors. We’ve got the whole place to ourselves for a couple of hours.”
Dani blinks. I bet she’s surprised at my honesty. What I’ve told her is a half-truth, which is arguably the best way to keep my distance and all my lies in order. She likely understands this, but she can’t outright press me for answers without coming across as suspicious. This whole thing is a balancing act. We’re standing together on a thin line that could snap at any moment. We have to proceed with caution, or we risk letting the other person see our hand.
“I’m excited,” she says, her tone light and breezy. “It’s been forever and a day since I came here last.”
“When was that?” I ask her, also keeping my tone light and breezy. I start toward the entrance, holding open the door for her.
“A couple of years,” she confesses. It’s a vague answer, probably untrue.
The aquarium after dark is a surreal place, nothing but the faint blue glow of light filtering through the large tanks to illuminate our way forward. The air is calm and still, save for the gentle hum of the building’s ventilation system. A quick glance at my phone tells me what I already know—the cell service in here is weak, which means if Dani is wearing a wire, there’s a good chance there will be too much interference from the concrete to make out our conversations clearly.
I can sense her unease in the tension of her shoulders and the way she keeps glancing at me out of the corner of her eye. I pretend not to notice. Keeping my hands stuffed in my pockets, we stroll from one exhibit to the next.
“So, how long have you been working for Amazon?” I ask.
“Wha—Oh. Not very long. Only a few weeks, actually.”
I listen to the wobble of her voice. Her delivery is stiff, like she’s already read everything off a prepared script. I wouldn’t be surprised if her team put together a little file for her so she can keep track of her backstory.
“How do you like it?” I ask.
“It’s fine. It’s nothing but deliveries, day in and day out. I’m sure it’s boring compared to working at CyberFort. What exactly do you do there?”
Hah. She’s redirecting.
“This and that,” I answer vaguely. “Computer stuff.”
“You must be pretty important if the aquarium’s willing to do favors for you.”
Clever girl.
I shrug my shoulders. “I guess.”
Dani’s brows furrow slightly. Not the answer she’s looking for, apparently. “Can I ask you something?”
“Shoot.”
“Why did you ask me out?”
She’s changing tactics.
We stop in front of the shark tank. There’s only one present, swimming around in bored circles. I feel sorry for the creature. Such a mighty thing, confined to its tiny prison. Through the thick glass, the shark spots us. Slowly, it makes its way forward, its beady eyes watching us with indifference.
I turn toward her and drink in the delicate features of her face, the shadows the tank lights cast upon her skin highlights the cute slope of her nose and the alluring curve of her cupid’s bow.
I’m not entirely sure how to answer. I can’t just tell her it’s because I know she’s the FBI agent in charge of investigating me and my family.
“Because I wanted to,” I say bluntly.
Dani throws her head back and laughs. The sound catches me by surprise, so light and airy it makes my breath catch in my throat.
“Did I say something funny?” I grumble.
“Oh, come on. You must have had a reason.”
I regard her carefully. What am I supposed to say? My brain struggles to find a satisfying answer, so when the words stumble out of my mouth, it’s in a rush.
“Because you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and I’d be an idiot to let you slip away.”
