Page 105 of Exposé

Her gaze softened. A small smile flickered across her face, shattering the quiet moment that hung between us. “You’re too patient for your own good.” Another shaky laugh escaped her.

“I have a feeling it’s worth the wait.” I shrugged, giving her a faint grin, my phone buzzing in my pocket, the cloning process completing.

A breeze whispered past us, rustling the leaves falling across the cement, the sound cutting through the tension brewing. “So,” I said, clearing my throat, “how did your interview go?”

She shifted her weight, her grin turning into a frown. "He was less than helpful."

I blinked in genuine surprise. "The Mayor was dismissive of you?"

"It wasn't only dismissive, though. I swear he… threatened me."

My jaw tensed, my teeth grinding against one another as I squared my shoulders.

"I think he's hiding something."

If the Mayor ever did anything right, it was steering her off course and helping me out, but threatening her...Why?

Why bring so much attention to himself?

"How did he threaten you?"

Her lashes fluttered as she rolled her lips, wetting them with the tip of her pink tongue. "Basically warned me to stay away and to not cause panic to a situation that was already under control."

Well done, Mayor.

"Does that sound like him? Is he typically a threatening character?"

Ava shrugged, pursing her lips. "Not really. He's always joyful, especially with those ridiculous colorful sweaters he wears." She sighed and shuffled closer to her car. "Maybe I'm overthinking it."

I placed my hand on her shoulder. "Do you think maybe he might be right?"

Shaking her head, she opened her car door and tossed her bag inside. "No. Why would I?"

I shrugged. "What if what he said is correct, and there's no sense in pursuing the story? If he said it's being handled, then what is the story?"

"What is this?" Her brows furrowed, her head shaking.

I raised my arms in defense. "I'm playing devil's advocate here. A thought exercise."

"Well, don't. I already have my doubts, and my boss is breathing down my neck like a killer dragon."

"I was trying to help." I brushed my thumb along her warm cheek, heat flooding through me at the thought of how hot and soft her skin felt against mine. She was so damn persistent that she even haunted my mind on a constant basis, breaking through my thoughts with far less innocent ones.

Ava leaned into my touch, her temper fizzling out. "I need to get to work."

Giving her a curt nod, I stepped back, my hand resting on the top of her opened door. "I'll see you later?"

Her shoulders dropped, and she swallowed. "Okay."

"See you soon, then." I shut the door with a genuine smile and turned on my heel, wiping the evidence from my face as she drove away.

Shit.

I drew in a deep breath, my shoulders relaxing as I walked toward the location of my motorcycle and dialed the 'center'.

The phone rang in my ear as I paused at my bike, my butt resting on the seat. The phone stopped ringing, and silence stung on the other end. "Striker."

"Stand by," said the operator.

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