Page 11 of Justice for Francesca

She pocketed her notebook and pencil. “Triumph looked like he’d seen a ghost.”

“I bet he felt like he had.” There was a pause. “We missed you. We hoped we’d see you again when everything died down, but you didn’t come back. You ghosted us. Never even came back to ask questions.”

“We?”

“Well, yeah. Triumph, Cosmos, Rye, Tilly, even Frost, the resident ice queen, and she hates everybody. Everyone was worried as hell when you went missing.”

“Everyone? I think that’s a bit of a stretch.”

“Well, some of us were more worried than others.” He let that comment hang in the air between them.

“Mr. Evans?—”

“Tripoli,” he corrected.

“Mr. Evans,” she emphasized. “It was a cover… not my lifestyle.”

He felt rejected somehow. As if she was reminding him that the whole situation hadn’t been real. Maybe the reason for being at the club hadn’t been, but the attraction between them had definitely been real.

“Regardless, I wasn’t allowed to be part of the investigation on-site after I was taken because, essentially, I became a part ofit. Once I was released from the hospital, I was debriefed and put on administrative leave.”

“For being kidnapped? They disciplined you for that?”

“I wouldn’t call it ‘disciplined.’ However, it doesn’t look good when an agent on a case becomes one of the victims. It implies carelessness. Don’t worry,” she assured him. “While I’ll probably never advance beyond the rank of special agent because of it, that’s more than fine with me. I’m not really meant to lead people.”

They continued to stare at one another. Tripoli’s thoughts were all over the place. The circumstances were shit. When they’d met the first time, he could tell she was holding back from acting on the attraction, so he hadn’t pushed. When he found out she was undercover, it made sense as to why. This was his second chance with Francesca, and he was going to grab at it by any means possible. Pursuing her would definitely walk the lines of being unethical, but he couldn’t let the opportunity pass without trying.

Before he could get control of the conversation again, he watched her demeanor completely change. In a split second, she morphed into someone less personal, more stiff, and completely closed off. Her posture went rigid, her voice impersonal. Even her gorgeous liquid silver eyes appeared to shutter. “When can I come view the files?”

“Anytime you want. Just let me or Triumph know when you’re coming. I’ll have him make a badge so you can come and go as you please after that.”

“That’s awfully trusting.”

“Like I said, I want this person caught as much as you do. Probably more. After all, it’s my people who are at risk here.”

“Not to mention your club, your reputation, and your livelihood.”

He shook his head. “Businesses are built and die every day, but they can be rebuilt. Reputation means little to me because I know I didn’t have anything to do with this murder, and the only person’s opinion that matters to me is my own. However, even if Elysium burned to the ground, I wouldn’t be hurting by any means. There’s plenty of real estate out there to create another club, if I choose to do so. My staff, however, need my protection. They’re my family.”

For just a moment, the coldness she’d affected a couple of moments earlier appeared to vanish. The look she gave him was part surprise and part admiration. “Like Tilly. What you did for her? That’s way more than anyone else would have. You’re a good man, Tripoli Evans.”

He smiled. “Just a man who tries to be good, Francesca McCabe.”

Francesca seemed to suddenly remember herself, and she returned back to the cool, efficient agent. “I need to join Special Agent Livingston.”

Tripoli gestured toward the door. “Triumph will escort you down.”

Never again, if he could help it, would this woman walk somewhere alone. He wouldn’t make that same mistake again.

4

FIFTEEN OUT OF TEN

Francesca

“It’s good to see you, Fleur.” Triumph was waiting for her outside of Tripoli’s office. At her startled look, he grimaced. “Sorry. Force of habit. It’s good to see you again, Special Agent McCabe.”

“Mr. Zelinski.” She ignored the slight widening of his eyes at her use of his formal name.

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