Page 16 of Wicked Suspicion

Stretching, she moved into a more upright sitting position. “I’m going to sleep then, okay?”

“Yeah, go ahead.” Case realized they only had the clothes on their backs. “Did you want to wear my shirt to bed?”

Her lips curved. “I have my own sweaty shirt to sleep in but thank you.”

“I meant the camo shirt.” Case pushed to his feet and held out a hand to help her up. “The T-shirt absorbed most of the perspiration.” When she was standing, he shrugged off the fatigue shirt and handed it to her. “If it doesn’t stink, you’re welcome to wear it.”

“Thanks,” Nyx said and headed to the bathroom via the bedroom.

Case stared after her. He should go to bed, too. Vargas might send for him bright and early, and he needed to be sharp to deal with the drug lord. But sleeping meant admitting there was nothing else he could do tonight. It meant there was no way to stop the innkeeper and his friends from setting things in motion. It meant there wasn’t a single thing he could do to get Nyx out of here.

It meant accepting the thing he’d always hated. Being powerless.

Instead of dwelling on that, he considered Nyx. He hardly knew her. For damn sure sharing a table and talking for about fifteen minutes wasn’t enough time to get the full measure of another person. But she hadn’t been frightened of someone she believed was a mercenary. She hadn’t asked permission. She hadn’t been timid about it. She hadn’t been apologetic either. Nyx needed to sit, so she’d made herself comfortable.

He’d tried to intimidate her into leaving. It didn’t work. Maybe she’d felt safe surrounded by a market full of people, but she should have at least been a little unnerved by him. She hadn’t been. Zero fear.

That complete lack of concern continued while they’d talked. She’d called him a wannabe merc and had speculated he was interested in either running guns or trafficking in narcotics. In other words, she was damn fucking savvy and good at reading people.

Today, Nyx had read the situation again, and when Case had stepped in to protect her, she hadn’t hesitated for an instant before she’d picked up the ball he’d tossed and run with it. He’d lied to shield her. She’d lied to back him up, and she’d been convincing. He wasn’t sure what to make of it. He wasn’t sure what to make of her.

The lack of fear, the instant cooperation, the easy way she joined him in the lie, the silent agreement he was the leader. Case shook his head.

She seemed like someone who should be battling him to be in charge. It was clear she was used to calling the shots, but she had immediately allowed him to lead. She’d actually looked to him for guidance several times today. Rubbing his fingers over his chin, Case considered that for a moment. There was only one way to know for sure what she was thinking. Ask her. But the chance he’d missed a stray mic made it too dicey.

At least his team would know that his disappearance this time had nothing to do with the rebels. Oz was undercover as a low-level employee of Vargas. He’d get word to the captain.

Reaching down, Case grabbed the remote and turned off the television and then the lamps before walking into the bedroom. The shades were down. He’d pulled them as soon as it started to become dark, but the lamps on the two nightstands emitted a warm glow. He frowned. The bed was queen-size, not a king, and that meant Nyx would be much too close.

Case shook his head. Did he sleep on the side next to the door to the room or the door to the balcony? Which entry point did he need to worry about most?

The bathroom door opened, and he glanced over. She wore his camo shirt, sleeves rolled up, and while she was shorter than he was, she wasn’t short enough. The shirt didn’t even reach mid-thigh.

He tried not to stare, but her legs were as perfect as the rest of her. Lightly tanned with lots of tone. Yeah, she definitely didn’t half-ass it on some elliptical. He wanted to ask her about running. It might be important information if they managed an escape. But a fiancé would know if his sweetheart was a runner, so Case swallowed the words.

Nyx put her clothes down on one of the chairs facing the bed and said, “Your shirt smelled better than mine.” Her quirky little grin made her even more appealing. “I took a quick shower. I made sure to save enough water so you can shower, too.”

“Thanks.” He glanced back to the bed and decided that if Vargas sent men in, they’d use all the entrances, but the biggest number would come in through the hallway. “I’ll sleep on this side,” he said, pointing.

She nodded, rounded the bed, pulled back the covers, and climbed in before Case realized he was standing, watching her. Frowning, he pivoted and headed for the bathroom. She had him acting stupid. He needed to get his head screwed on straight, pronto. But damn, seeing Nyx in his shirt?—

Case cut that thought off and stripped before starting the shower. She’d saved him water, but he didn’t know how much they had. If the supply hadn’t completely refilled, it might run out more quickly than it had this afternoon.

Drying off, his thoughts returned to Nyx. She was a puzzle he couldn’t stop thinking about. She believed he was a mercenary. They’d already established she had a poor opinion of mercs, so why did she trust him enough to go along with him? He didn’t know her well enough to make a guess.

After tying the towel around his waist, he went to the sink. The top drawer held wrapped toothbrushes. The one Nyx had used was stuck inside a cup between the two sinks. After brushing, Case put his with it.

Reluctantly, he reached for his briefs and pulled them on. He’d prefer to put on fresh clothing, but Vargas hadn’t provided anything to wear.

Carrying the rest of his clothes, Case left the bathroom lights on and cracked the door, allowing a dim glow to fill the bedroom. Nyx had turned off her bedside lamp, but his remained on. She’d turned away from the light, facing the windows. He tossed his pants and T-shirt on the other chair at the foot of the bed, crawled in his side, and switched off the lamp.

It took a moment for his eyes to adjust, but the soft glow from the bathroom gave him enough illumination. If someone came into the suite, Case would be able to see them. He’d been right. The queen-sized bed put her far too close. Even hugging the edge, he could feel her body heat.

Hugging the edge. Damn, if he’d missed a camera, that would look suspicious as hell and raise questions. Case shifted closer to the center, using a fake stretch to reposition himself.

Nyx rolled to face him, narrowing the space between them. His hormones hit overload. He pushed his desire aside. “Sorry I woke you,” he said softly.

“I wasn’t asleep yet.” Her voice was every bit as quiet.

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