Page 80 of Wicked Suspicion

Case tried not to grin as he kept pace with her. He loved how smart Nyx was. He loved how protective she could be, even though he didn’t need protection. He loved her strength, her determination, and the way she faced adversity head on.

Okay. Cards on the table. He just plain loved her.

Chapter 32

Nyx would have liked a little downtime to recover, but that wasn’t in the plan. As soon as they were clear of the docks, and Case found somewhere he considered safe, he’d handed her his phone—a new one since his other was still with Vargas—and told her to call Archer. Her boss upended the day.

He wanted her to rendezvous with Frankie. Her teammate had found something she wanted Archer to study. Or more likely one of Archer’s experts. He had arranged a meeting so Nyx could carry it back with her to the States.

She told Archer to have Frankie bring her things, including her passport and ID, so she would have her own clothing and personal items. The argument was brief and Nyx had prevailed. When she mentioned the rental Jeep, Archer informed her that a San Isidro resident had turned it in on her behalf. It was a relief to cross that concern off her mental list.

Despite everything they’d covered, the call had been brief. Then Case had taken her to a store, bought them each a change of clothes, and checked them into El Hotel Embajador. Or as he referred to it, the second nicest hotel in Trujillo.

A room with one king-size bed. Her body heated just thinking about it.

That was for later, though. Now, Case was leading her on the scenic route around Trujillo to make sure they didn’t have anyone tailing them. Nyx hurried to keep up with him. He was hyperalert to their surroundings and didn’t want to be distracted with talking, but apparently forgot that she was half a foot shorter than he was and hadn’t been for a run in nearly a week. Her legs were feeling it.

Suck it up, Nyxie. Mind over matter. Her lips curved. Her dad didn’t listen to excuses, and she wasn’t going to make any with Case either. She’d suck it up, and she’d keep pace with him even if it killed her muscles.

She had nothing to complain about, anyway. She wanted Frankie safe. Nyx was showered, her damp hair up in her usual ponytail, and she was dressed in clean clothing. Overall, life was good. Once they were back at the hotel, it would be better.

Case made her a promise, and he always kept his word.

They were meeting Frankie at a park near the center of the city. Case told her it was mostly concrete, but that the layout made it safe. That it would be difficult for anyone to come upon them without him noticing far in advance.

Damn, Case looked good in jeans and a black T-shirt. He’d put on a shoulder holster over the top of it, unconcerned about concealing his pistol. Well, it was Trujillo. The city was filled with mercenaries and wannabe mercs looking for work. This was where the hiring took place even though the war was happening on the other end of the country.

He was cute. More than cute, he was gorgeous. But it was cute the way he tried to tame his hair. He’d come out of the shower with it carefully combed down, but as it had dried, that tousled, every-which-way look was back.

She planned to mess it up more later. Nyx didn’t think he’d mind.

The park stood out. Case slowed, but she studied the place. Triangles of red and white flowers surrounded the few trees in the area, and wide swathes of concrete came in like spokes on a wheel. She counted eight of them. In the center was a statue of someone. She couldn’t tell who from this distance. Benches lined the concrete walkways, but in the midday heat, the place was nearly empty.

“I can see why you said you’d see trouble coming.”

Case slowed and flashed a grin at her. “We’re not going to be here more than a few minutes. The risk to your teammate increases the longer we stay.”

“I know. I’ll make it quick.” She reached over and took his hand, lacing their fingers. “Let’s stroll the rest of the way and not make a mad dash into the park.”

“Mad da—oh.” His cheeks reddened. “Sorry, Fireball, I didn’t think. Why didn’t you say something?”

Nyx ignored the question. “I see Frankie.” She knew better than to point. “The woman with the sunglasses and the scarf over her hair.”

“Sitting with her back to the base of the statue. I got her.”

Frankie stood as they approached, a smile on her face. “Lurch! What are you doing here with Nyx?”

“You two know each other?”

“We met.” Case blanked his expression, so that meant he wasn’t talking. He slipped his fingers free from hers. Frankie noticed.

“Oh!” She laughed. “Does Deck know about this?”

“He knows.” Case’s voice was flat, giving nothing away.

Nyx connected the dots. She had a good guess who they were talking about, but she wanted verification. “What’s Deck’s handle?”

Case frowned and didn’t answer.

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