Page 41 of Don't Look Back

“I’m going to be pissed if the female lead ends up dead.”

He ran his fingers over his lips as if he were zipping them closed. “No spoilers from me.”

He was eager to hear what she thought of the woman’s ambiguous fate.

He completed the purchase and added the book to his bag. “Do you want to look at the art and architecture books?”

She shook her head. “Actually, I want a break from art and research. I want to do something touristy. I was thinking of heading down to the water and paying for a ride on one of the historic boats—luzzu, I think they’re called—that cross the harbor to Fort St. Angelo. Care to join me?” She nodded toward the paper bag stuffed with books. “We can drop the books at the hotel on the way.”

He wanted to believe this was a spontaneous request, but nothing about Kira’s plans was spontaneous. Still, he was glad she was taking him with her. He couldn’t protect her from across the water, and the revelation that an impostor had presented himself to Kira as her cousin convinced Rand she was in very real danger.

The breeze on the water was heavenly. Kira took off her sun hat, unclipped her hair, and let the wind tangle her shoulder-length strands. They shared the small vessel with a British couple and their two teenage children, and they all paid extra euros for the full “harbor tour,” which was an extra fifteen minutes or so on the water before disembarking in Birgu on the other side of Grand Harbor.

On land again, Rand settled Kira’s sun hat back on her head and looked down at her in a way that made her belly flutter. She fought the urge to lean into him and forced herself to step away. She had a decision to make when it came to Rand. Was he here for her or for Freya and the Navy?

He wanted her, sure, but where were his orders coming from? What if her father was guilty of something that would make it impossible for Kira to pass a background check and get the security clearance needed to work for FMV as more than a consultant?

The man was dead, but that didn’t mean his hidden legacy couldn’t hurt her.

They set out toward Fort St. Angelo, and Rand’s hand caught hers. It felt so natural, it took her a moment to remember she needed to put distance between them.

Consultant and client. Those were their roles.

She slipped her hand from his. “How was your morning?”

“Lonely. Yours?”

“Lovely.”

“You didn’t miss me like I missed you?”

She snorted. “Since when do you miss me? You don’t even know me.” She had to remind herself of that. Even though shefeltlike she knew him, it didn’t make it true.

“I’ve made no secret that I want to know you. I have since the day we met.”

She knew that was true, but still, she had to poke at him. “I’m sure Staci would be hurt to know that.” That should buy her the distance she wanted.

He came to a dead stop and faced her, unflinching. “She does know. I dropped her off at her place that night and went right back to Morgan’s after I spotted your car.”

Her flush had nothing to do with the heat. “You saw me?”

“I did, and I’m glad you brought it up, because I want to explain.”

“You don’t have to explain anything to me, Lieuten—Mr. Fallon. Your sex life is your business. You don’t owe me anything.

“Rand. And you brought it up.”

She resumed walking. “Because I want distance between us. And sure, you were interested in December and now. But in between, I wasn’t on your radar.”

“Ididn’tghost you.”

She paused, then resumed walking again. He was right. She wasn’t being fair. “I know you didn’t.”

“Good. And as far as Staci goes, she and I dated for several months about two years ago. It didn’t take long before we both realized it was just a friends-with-benefits thing that was going nowhere. After a time, we became friends without benefits. At Morgan’s baby shower, she was hurting after a bad breakup, and I was…there. She asked me if I wanted to take her home, and stupidly, I said yes. Outside, she kissed me and made it clear that all she wanted was sex, like old times. And for a moment, I thought I could do that. Then I saw your car.”

They’d walked uphill from the marina and had been working their way toward the fort. Now they were in an alley, thankfully shaded due to the narrow width and angle of the sun.

She continued walking, then realized he wasn’t beside her. She stopped and faced him, meeting his piercing blue gaze.

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