Page 8 of Shadows of Before

The next morning, he’d been up for a couple of hours when his doorbell rang. Shit, he didn’t want to see anybody. He was still disconcerted by last night’s encounter with Katie. He pulled open the door.

And his mouth dropped. It took him a minute to regain his composure. “If it isn’t hot shot Agent Jill Tramane. From the PPD.”

“I heard about your father’s death.” She took in a deep breath. “Would you let me in, please?”

He stepped aside and she walked into the foyer. “This your father’s house?”

“I grew up here. Not like you in your fancy mansion and political family.”

“I’ve had some perks come my way.” She faced him. “I did come to give my condolences, but I wanted to see you too.”

“That wasn’t the impression I got before I left D.C. You ditched me like I was a leper.”

“You were. A Secret Service leper.”

Now that hurt.

“But they’re investigating your actions. So I thought maybe you’d come back to D.C. and we could take up again.”

He cocked his head. “What if I’m found negligent?”

“Do you think you were?”

“It doesn’t matter what I think. It’s what the agency decides.”

“I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

“But if it did, would you still want me in your life.”

“The way we’ve been.” Casual. Not committed. “I might.”

“You’re something else, Jill. You always were myopic about yourself. Can’t you see how insulting your request is?”

She moved in. Up close. And kissed him. A skilled, practiced kiss. She knew what he liked.

And he was totally unmoved.

She stepped back. “Did you rekindle an old flame here?”

He stuck his hands in his pockets. “I did.”

“Ah. So you don’t need sex.”

“Hardly.”

She huffed out a breath. “I thought you’d be glad I came here.”

“You mean that youdeignedto come here.”

“I’m not lowering myself to you.”

“In any case,” Will said. “Whatever happens with Secret Service, you’re out of the picture, Jill.”

Her face blanked.

“I realize this probably never happened to you, but I don’t want you’re offering.” He crossed to the door. “It’s time for you to leave.”

“Hmm. I guess I was right. You are damaged goods.”

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