Page 17 of Out of Sight

“Nothing,” Jim said. “That’s the point. We’ll switch identities again once we get there, something a little more sturdy under investigation since we’ll be hanging out there a while.”

“What’re ournewnew identities going to be?“ Will asked. He was annoyingly curious, even if the confused look on his face was pretty damn cute.

“We’ll finalize those details when we get there,” Jim explained patiently. “Sound alright?”

Will nodded. But then…

“Maybe I’m just a moron, but why can’t we finalize the details now?”

“Because we don’t know who or where the leak is, moron,” I reiterated. Blake looked on the verge of losing his professional demeanor, and I thought I’d help him out. “The plans haven’t been made yet in case someone on the inside can see those plans and report it all to the Morellis.”

“Exactly,” Blake said, giving me a quick wink in thanks through the rearview mirror. I preened, proud to have it right.

Will didn’t care about professionalism as he openly glared at Blake for a moment before turning a kinder expression back toward me. “How do you know about all this stuff anyway? Bugs, inside agents… The computer file shit that got you into this mess to begin with?”

“I watch a lot of documentaries,” I lied, avoiding his eyes and downing half a bottle of water.

He just stared at me for a moment, frowning as he broke eye contact.

“No matter how you know what you know, I’m glad. You’re really smart, you know that?”

“I’ve heard it once or twice,” I mumbled, finishing my water to hide my blush. Twice in a row someone said nice things to me. The powers that be must have been trying to make up for the whole Morelli mess they got me into.

“I know you don’t like me and you don’t like being near me, but I also know the Morellis. How they think, who they work with. Who they’d send and what they can do. Plus I’m good in a fight if it comes to that.”

“It won’t come to that,” Jim Marshall interrupted.

“But if it does,” Will emphasized, holding my gaze. Damn, his stupid blue eyes were gorgeous. “I’m good in a fight and I’mpretty damn strong because I basically live at the gym when I’m not sleeping or working.”

My eyes flicked up and down his body without my permission, noting the broad shoulders and firm muscles clearly defined through his plain shirt. “What’s your point?”

“With your awesome brain and my industry know-how, I think we make a pretty good team. We should stick together through this.”

“We’re already stuck together, genius. They’re taking us to Omaha together to hide out.”

“Well, there’s a difference between being stuck together and sticking together. Whether or not you like me, I think we’d make a great team. You’re the beauty and the brains—” He thought I was beautiful? “—and I’ll be the brawn. You can boss me around, tell me what to do and I’ll do it. But I can protect you, I swear. I’m good at this stuff. The last time I needed to protect someone…”

He trailed off, and I wondered if he meant Mario Costa or someone else entirely. The flash of pain in his eyes looked ancient, like it was a part of him.

“The last person, she’s still alive,” he continued, back to his normal carefree self. “The fucker that hurt her is gone. Dead as a doornail.”

My eyes widened in shock. He really was thinking of the wrong audience; announcing that he was a killer wouldn’t do much to make me think he was trustworthy. And did the authorities already know about this? Was he confessing to a new crime? My eyes darted to the front seat.

“Oh, don’t worry about the cops hearing.” He waved his hand dismissively. “It was a long time ago and I already served my time. Only six years since they classified it as voluntary manslaughter. He deserved it, the jury agreed.” And he shared a bright, charismatic smile like he was discussing playing pranks on someone, not killing in the heat of the moment.

“So you think we should be best buds because you’ve killed someone before?” I tried to put as much venom as possible into my voice, but I was still a little dazzled by his warm navy blues.

“In a way. I’m basically saying I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty for the right girl.” And then the jerk winked at me.

Was he all in with this other girl that he killed for? Or was he flirting withme?

I slapped him.

“Ow. You did warn me,” he muttered, rubbing his distinct jawline. “But seriously, Claire. I’m not going to let anyone under my protection down ever again. You can count on that.”

Looking into the depths of his blue eyes, I almost believed him.

seven

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