Page 86 of Gilded Saint

“You didn’t do it?”

“No, Leo Sullivan, I did not.” He steeples his hands and glares.

It’s a pointed, angry expression, albeit controlled. Nick is a master at controlling his temper.

“What’re you implying?” I’m careful with my reaction, keeping my hands still and my eyes trained on Nick.

“We have a mole.”

“I’ve been in Saudi Arabia all week.”

“That is true.”

Nick checked up on me. What the hell did Nomad do with that list? Has Nick figured me out? Did he do something to Willow?

Nick’s gaze drops to the desk and his tap-tap-tapping index finger. I’ve seen him do this before. But intimidation tactics won’t work on me. Neither will torture.

“Saint.”

For a brief second, that one word stops my heart. Survival skills kick in, and my muscles tense, ready to react. If needed, I’ll kill him. At this angle, both his hands are in view. If that changes, I attack.

“Have you heard that name?” he asks after minutes elapse. He’s baiting.

“No.”

His aristocratic brow furrows.

“Not as relates to an individual outside a religious institution,” I clarify.

“Are you religious?”

“No,” I answer but regret it instantly as he may have picked me out on London surveillance entering St. Martin’s, even though I always disguise my features in order to trick facial recognition on CCTV.

“Yet your vices are few.” That finger continues tapping. “No drugs. Little to no alcohol. Might as well say no alcohol. No sex. At least, until an arrangement blessed by God occurred. I have it on good authority sex is now a part of the deal.”

“What did Willow say?” So help me, if he hurt her…

“Oh, five stars. Highly recommend.”

“What?” I’m halfway out of my seat. If he fucking?—

“She recommends you.” His gaze flicks up to mine. “In the sack, you score well.” Humor crinkles the skin around his eyes.

I relax back into the seat. “Lina.”

“Girls talk.” He shifts and steeples his hands, elbows on the desk. “And you’ve no idea about a Saint? Because it’s my understanding code names are derived from behavior.”

“Wouldn’t know about that.”

“Right. Because you’ve never been in the military?”

“Nope.”

“It’s my understanding a code name can come from one night, one moment in time, or an overarching behavior the group picks up on.” He raises an eyebrow with expectation.

“Sounds about right to me.” Our gazes lock. “I wouldn’t know.”

“Neither would I.”

---