Page 18 of When He Protects

Why the hell do I want to do that?

“I get that you’re not the chattiest bastard on even the best of days.” Gray inched closer. “But it would be really great if I could get some sort of affirmation from you so I can go talk to my boss and get the wheels moving on this thing. So, how about a grunt? One grunt for yes? Or a nod? A nod would be super helpful.”

Esme’s fingertips tapped on the glass. Tyler’s nostrils flared. If the glass didn’t separate them, he’d be close enough to inhale her scent. She’d smelled absolutely delicious at Jorlan’s party. “What did she say in there?”

“Ah, is that a yes?”

Not yet, it wasn’t. Even though he already knew—hell, he and Gray both knew what he’d do. Not like Tyler was the type to throw a woman to the wolves. “When she spoke French in the interrogation room, what did she say?”

Silence.

Slowly, his head turned away from Esme, and he glanced at his friend. He caught Gray mid-wince.

“What. Did. She. Say?”

“I want to fuck you.”

Tyler’s eyes widened.

“That’s whatshesaid, okay? She said she wanted to fuck you. I’m sure that she was messing with you. You’d said that crack about her not sounding French, so she just threw out something that she thought was shocking.” Gray yanked a hand through his hair. “Word is that’s her style. Shocking. Unconventional.”

Like he hadn’t already figured that out about her? “She had a bag of stolen diamonds strapped to her thigh. Hard to get more unconventional than that.”

“She needs you, man. She might seem cocky and bold, but she’s in trouble. And you’re the kind of man who never turns away from someone in trouble. That’s your kryptonite.”

His head turned back toward the mirror. Esme’s hand had dropped, but she still stood right in front of the glass.

Impatience flashed on her face.

Then her right hand rose up. Her index finger moved to the side of her nose, and she gave the finger a fast twist out.

What the hell?

She did it again.

A bark of laughter escaped from Gray.

Tyler instantly rounded on him. “What in the hell is so funny?”

“I think she figured out that we turned off the volume to her room. Ahem.” He wiped his smile away. “She’s using sign language now.” He repeated the quick gesture that Esme had made.

“What does itmean?” He knew Gray’s aunt had beendeaf, and his mother had taught her children sign language so they could always communicate easily with her.

“It means that she’s bored.” Gray glanced back through the glass. His head tilted as he studied her. “Definitely more than meets the eye with her.” He sounded impressed. “You know what, I’ll just go and?—”

Tyler’s hand flew out and locked around his shoulder. “I’m taking her protection detail.”

“Of course, you are.” Gray bit down on a smile.

Had the bastard just played him? Screw it. “But I have conditions of my own.”

Gray nodded. “Sure. Witness protection is more your area than mine, so, of course, I’ll bow to your superior judgment.”

Damn right, he would. “I pick the place. I control the location. Little Miss Sticky Fingers in there does what I say, when I say it. If she’s not cooperating fully with me and following my orders at all times, I’m out.”

“Uh, this really sounds like a you and a her problem. How about I go share the good news with my boss and you let Little Miss Sticky Fingers know the good news?” He tugged away from Tyler and hurried for the door. But before he exited, Gray glanced back. “This will be more dangerous than it seems. I’m not exaggerating when I say that the people coming after her are the kind that would give most people nightmares.”

“I’mthe kind that gives nightmares.”

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