Page 46 of Marrying a Spy

Chapter Fifteen

Noah clicked the safety back on and shoved his gun into his back pocket. He glanced around to make sure they were alone before he allowed himself to relax.

“What are you doing?” Noah asked. He tried to calm his racing heart.

James shot him an annoyed look. “What you wanted me to do.” Noah stared at him. What was he talking about?

Before he could ask, James sighed. “You want to talk, let’s talk.”

Confusion built up inside of him. Did James know about his plan? How? “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

James met his gaze. “I’m not an idiot, Noah. Don’t patronize me.”

He couldn’t help but glare at James. At the beginning, he had been a bit skeptical about Sophia’s dad showing up. But, here he was. Right after Sophia and Noah got engaged for real. And James’s accusing look was really ticking him off.

James took a deep breath and blew it out. “You wanted me here. I’m here.” He held out his hands as if surrendering. Then he clapped them together. “What I want to know is what you’re doing here?”

Noah quirked an eyebrow at that. He had more of a right to be here than James did. Noah wasn’t a pawn in an evil man’s game. He was here to keep Sophia safe. While James had done nothing but risk his family’s safety for his own gain.

Noah bit back his retort. He was here to get information on Kingpin, James’s boss. The man responsible for Judy’s death. The memory of her limp body rushed into his mind and caused his stomach to churn.

It had been so easy to forget the past when he was alone with Sophia. To push aside his awful memories and focus on her and their future together. But now, standing in front of James, all of his reasons to infiltrate the Kingpin’s lair came slamming back into his mind.

James sighed He pushed his hand through his thick black hair as he looked around. “Can we get a drink?” he asked.

Noah glanced toward the fridge and then back to James. “Here?”

James shrugged. “Sure.”

Noah studied him and then nodded in the direction of the kitchen. “Through here.”

He waited for James to go first. There was no way he was going to have a criminal at his back. James didn’t seem bothered by it. He just made his way down the hall and settled onto one of the kitchen chairs as he watched Noah enter.

Noah made his way over to the fridge and pulled out two beers. He wasn’t going to be drinking tonight, but he wanted to put James at ease. He’d fake nice for now.

He pulled off the tops, handing one to James, and then joined him at the table.

James took a long sip and placed the bottle on the table. He stroked his thick black beard.

“You’re here for Sophia? For the wedding?” Noah asked. He hated sitting in silence. He wanted answers.

James hesitated before he looked up. “Actually, I’m trying to figure out why my daughter is engaged to a spy.”

Noah’s stomach felt as if it had fallen to the floor. James knew? He kept a straight face as he inspected James’s expression. How much did he really know? It couldn’t be that much.

“You’re crazy,” he said, raising the bottle to his lips and pretending to drink. He leaned back in his chair and turned his body away as if he were no longer feeling threatened, that what James was saying was ridiculous.

“Cut the crap, Noah. I know who you are. My question is why the hell you would include my daughter in any of this?” He leaned forward with fury in his gaze.

Noah swallowed. This was going south fast. Noah tried to figure out James’s angle. If he knew that Noah was here to find him, why wouldn’t he have just killed Noah the moment he saw him? Why would he have even come here in the first place?

Noah tapped the tabletop, trying to figure out where to go from here. He hadn’t expected this reaction. He blew out his breath and then folded his arms over his chest. “If you knew why I was here, why did you come?”

James scoffed. “Are you an idiot? Do you think that my boss will ignore this?” He scrubbed his face with his hand. “You agents think you know everything. Think you understand how these things work.” His voice dropped. “He’ll hurt her. You’ve opened the door and let the wolves in.”

Noah wanted to puke. He wanted to run as far away as possible. His worst fear was happening. He couldn’t protect Sophia. He could never protect her.

“What are you talking about?” he asked. His confidence was gone.

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