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“That make you mad?”Lane asked, voice casual.
Lane’s gaze had fallen to the fisted hand that Oliver had on top of the table.One fist was on top of the table.One under it.
Slowly, Oliver unclenched his fists.“I don’t want anyone hurting her.”
“Careful, Mr.FBI Profiler.You keep saying stuff like that, and I’ll think you weren’t just using my sister.I’ll think that you were actually falling for her.”
“Think what you want.”
“I generally do.”
“What was the teenager’s name?”
“Blain.But that was years ago.After the night I found him in her room, well, the mom and dad didn’t exactly take kindly to me breaking his hand.”
“Can’t imagine why they didn’t appreciate the gesture.”
“Right?”His lips pulled down.“So strange.Even odder when the parents called and had our case worker on the doorstep the next morning.They wanted me taken away, but they wanted to keep Lark.They thought she’d stay with them and their creepy-ass kid.”
“But Lark would never leave you.”
Lane blinked.“No, Lark would never leave me.”
“She’d stay with you no matter what you did.See, I actually read your old case worker’s files.This isn’t the time to bullshit me.I’ve read everything about you that I possibly can.”
“Sure, you did.Building that profile.Good for you.I’d clap but I’m cuffed and chained.”
“Blain Montgomery is a now state representative in Nevada.Never had a hint of scandal in his life.”
“Some people are really good at hiding their true selves.”
Yes, they were.“You got into quite a few fights at foster homes.Were all those people doing things to Lark that you didn’t like?”
“I only fight when there’s a reason.”
“Some would say there’s never a reason for violence.”
“Then those people have obviously never been on the receiving end of a fist.I am not easy prey.Won’t ever be again.If I saw someone weak being attacked, then I stepped in.”
Oliver motioned toward Lane’s face.And the bruises there.“Been seeing some weak people get attacked?”
Lane’s gaze hardened even more.“Others here are making the mistake of thinkingI’mweak.I’m correcting that wrong assumption.”
“I don’t think you’re weak.”He knew he was staring straight at a predator.
“You just think I’m a killer.”
“I think anyone can kill, under the right circumstances.”
Lane’s eyes lit with sudden interest.“Have you killed, Mr.FBI Profiler?”
Yes.But this wasn’t about him.“Would you kill to protect your sister?”
“In a heartbeat.”Lane paused, for just the barest of moments.“Would you kill to protect her?”
In a heartbeat.Oliver rose.“I think we’re done here.”
***
