Page 88 of The Lieutenant

I hung back for another few seconds. She was right. I could turn off my emotions in a heartbeat. That was not the way you built any relationship, no matter how they began. Hmmm… Is that what I was doing, building something beyond being friends with benefits with her? Or in our case, enemies to lovers?

Maybe it was time to lighten up. With no handle on the meetings or on Bernardi right now, perhaps I could afford to enjoy the time spent. It was the city where romances were forged and rekindled, after all.

I found her inside the living room, the bedrooms located on either side. Given we were on the top floor, the direct line view of the Eiffel Tower was exquisite. I’d asked for this room specifically.

“Which bedroom is the lady’s?” the bellman asked.

“The one on the right. The two red bags belong to the lady.” Red luggage. The bold color was perfect for the kitten with claws.

“Very good, sir.”

Kara turned briefly, her brow furrowed. It was as if she believed I would force her to sleep in my bed. Not yet anyway. Other than the time we’d spend in her hotel room, I’d never had a woman spend the night in my space or had allowed myself to stay the entire night. That had made the sexual experience too personal, something I didn’t want.

Hmmm… I craved doing just that with Kara. I watched as he went to both rooms, dropping off our things.

“Sir, your key,” the bellman said, his French accent heavy.

I handed him a tip and without further conversation, he left with the empty cart.

She moved to the window, pressing one hand against the glass. “This is… incredible. Just amazing. I don’t know what I thought the tower would be like, but it’s gorgeous. However, the balcony looks terrifying.”

I laughed as I approached. “Trust me. You’ll be perfectly safe. The glass is even bulletproof.”

“Oh, that makes me feel more comfortable. I think I’ll stay inside.”

“My guess is that you’ll change your mind when it gets dark.”

Kara pulled her hand away and turned to face me. “You found out something from your brother that didn’t make you very happy. That was your brother on the phone. Right?”

“Be careful eavesdropping, my sweet. You might hear some things you shouldn’t.”

“It’s a requirement in my job. Talk to me.”

I debated telling her anything. But at this point, her help might be of great assistance. “The photograph of one of the men you took was identified as a possible Cosa Nostra soldier by the weapon he carried.”

“A Smith and Wesson. Right?”

I’d be damned. Either she’d known that or had done extensive research. “Very good. It would seem he might have been the lookout to his colleagues.”

She clenched her jaw. “I swear the driver of the service I used was the face of the man hanging out the window shooting at us.”

I shook my head. “That means they know who you are.”

“Or that I am the target after all.”

“Possible. We’ll need to be very careful about our surroundings.” Where had we been seen together? The first night at the café or heading into the scuba store? It didn’t really matter unless it was one of my men who’d betrayed us.

“What now? Are you spending the afternoon prepping for the meeting? Am I to be locked away in the room, only opening the door for room service?”

I sauntered toward her, taking my time. “No prepping needed and I have no intention of keeping you prisoner. Right now, you’re going to go and change into something much more comfortable. After that, we’ll enjoy the city.”

The perplexed look on her face made me laugh. “Really? No handcuffs keeping me chained to the bed?”

“Oh, I have handcuffs. However, I actually do take time off occasionally.”

“Shocking.” She placed her hand on her heart, starting to head to the bedroom I’d selected for her. When she stopped, I was curious as to what she had to say. “You do continue to surprise me, Havros. Thank you. But you need to change as well.”

I laughed. “I do have more relaxed clothes.”

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