Page 16 of Delta: Retribution

That made her laugh. “Depends.”

“I like smart.”

And that made her blush. She could feel the hot flash move across her cheeks. “Um…”

“You need a ride? You look exhausted.” He tossed up his hands. “In a you’re-very-pretty kind of way.”

An ache eased in her chest. She hadn’t realized it was there, but since it had dissipated, she could relax more with him. “A ride home would be appreciated.”

“Thought you didn’t have a home anymore.”

“You were listening,” Marlena said.

“Surprising, right?”

“Not that surprising.” She threw her hands up with a laugh. “In a you’re-a-very-macho-listener kind of way.”

He stood, pushing Thelma off his lap. “Cute. Come on.” With a hand on her back, he walked her to the door. She couldn’t help but notice that between the time she’d been left with Titan honchos and secret project pricks, Trace had showered. He smelled squeaky clean. She, on the other hand, needed a shower.

Scooting in front of him, his hand caught her elbow, pulling her close. “What’s the deal with you and running off?”

“You’re very clean.” She made a face. “And I’m very not.”

“I hadn’t noticed.”

Whoa, baby,I sure noticed. She wasn’t sure if he had just lied, but she prayed he hadn’t. “Let’s just keep some distance between us. I’m pretty sure if I don’t find a toothbrush soon, both of us will be totally grossed out.”

“Whatever you say, hot stuff.” He patted her bottom as they left the room.

Behind her, Thelma rolled over and groaned. Marlena bit her bottom lip, unsure of what she should think or say. Instead of doing either, she trailed behind Trace through a labyrinth of security doors until they were in a parking lot. Not her favorite type of place. Every time she saw one, she thought about Mr. Romatar’s people grabbing her, shoving a rag in her mouth, and watching her wake up when they were on a plane flying to what she’d since then discovered was South America.

It was time to fake confidence again, because surely Trace wasn’t the type of man to hang out with weak girls. They reached a black car with black windows, and he beeped it unlocked then grabbed her door.

“Need a hand in?”

She jumped into the car, fumbling the handle and closing herself away from him. “I’m good.”

Right. Super-duper confident. She hung her head until he joined her in the front seat. Then she looked out the window, feeling like the most awkward girl ever. “My place is off exit twenty-one. It’s a temporary until…”UntilI figure out where I should go and why I’m so dang lost.“Until something better comes along.”

The parking garage was a cement maze full of barriers and security measures. It was more secure than any secret location she’d been whisked away to for her project.

After a few minutes on unmarked roads, Trace hit the highway. “I’ve got a temporary place now, courtesy of Titan.” He mumbled something she couldn’t make out. “Too bad I’m climbing the walls.”

She turned, not expecting him to say that at all. “You? You’re the calmest person I’ve ever met.”

He chuckled. “Not all the time I’m not, Cinderella.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“I’ve been forced stateside. I’m not handling it well, but it had to be done. So, I’m doing it.”

Trace didn’t live here? “Where would you be?”

“Anywhere else.”

“Germany?”

“No…” He shook his head. “I was following up on an investigation of sorts.”

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