Page 18 of The Hacker
“Derek and Tully aren’t your average partners. We’ve been all over hell’s half acre together, which creates a certain bond.”
“I hear you.” Revealing a painful secret also created a bond. That’s why Alice and Natalie were so special to Dawn.
“Speaking of Tully, he reminded me that we need to be careful.” Leland’s tone was serious. “If Chad is running an illegal operation on the dark web, he won’t want to be found out. That could make him dangerous if he gets suspicious of you. Point him out to me and I’ll strike up a conversation with him.”
“Won’t that make him suspicious ofyou?” She was torn between being offended that he thought she couldn’t be subtle about her probing and being gratified that he was worried about her.
“I don’t work with him, so I can avoid further contact if necessary.”
“That doesn’t make sense. He could still come after you.” Chad was a big, burly guy. Not that Leland was any slouch when it came to body tone.
“I have Tully on my side.”
His partner was ex-FBI, so that made sense. “Fine. You talk to Chad. You know a lot more about computers than I do anyway.” That was the real reason she was backing off.
“You’re much more amenable to reason than my other partners.” He sounded surprised but in a good way.
She coughed out a laugh. “It doesn’t happen often, so don’t get used to it.”
“That’s a shame. I was going to invite you to join our meetings so I have an extra vote on my side.” His voice had gone honeyed again.
“You’re drawling so you must be trying to disarm me.”
“I gave away my secret and now you’re going to use it against me. I should have known better.”
He was definitely flirting. She relaxed into the corner of the sofa and stretched her legs out. “Jersey girls are tough that way. Not like the New Yorkers you find so easy to fool.”
“I would never attempt to fool you. We’re partners, remember?” A ridiculous thrill zinged through her at his acceptance of her designation. It turned to equally ridiculous disappointment when he continued with what sounded like regret in his voice. “I have to get back to work. I’ll see you tomorrow for our next training session. Don’t hurt me too much.”
Before Dawn could respond in kind, he had disconnected. Dawn looked at the time on her phone. He was getting back to work at nine forty-five at night? She knew why she put so much time in at the gym; it was her sanctuary. But what kept Leland at the office so late?
She hoped she’d get the chance to find out. After all, he’d been honest about how he used his accent. And he’d flirted with her until duty called.
She sighed and forced herself to consider Chad instead. Would a dark web criminal pester a coworker to go out with him? Wouldn’t he want to fly under the radar rather than annoy her? She just couldn’t imagine Chad being either a computer wizard or a criminal mastermind. He’d have to be a really skillful actor to make himself seem like such a dopey jock to cover his real self.
Although maybe criminal masterminds were smart enough to seem dumb.
She rubbed her temples to stop her mind from spinning in circles. She would see what Leland thought of Chad tomorrow.
Even better, she would see Leland tomorrow.
Chapter 5
When Leland walked through the gym’s entrance doors, the afternoon sun caught him in its warm light, painting his hair gold, highlighting his broad swimmer’s shoulders, and tracing down his long, long legs. Desire slid through Dawn like warm molasses, thick and sweet. She continued to lean against the reception desk, partly to have the pleasure of watching him walk toward her with that delicious smile curling his lips and partly because her knees had gone weak.
“You’re early,” she said, still gripping the edge of the glass countertop. “I like an eager client.”
The sun flashed off his glasses as he shook his head. “Well, darlin’, you mentioned I should warm up on the treadmill before we get started. I do my best to follow my trainer’s instructions.” The slow southern drawl was out in full force.
Delight tickled through her.
“Besides that,” he continued, “I figure the sooner we begin, the sooner the torture will be over.”
“Hmm. Not the attitude I was hoping for.” She flipped her ponytail over her shoulder and gave him a slanting smile. “For that you’ll get an extra five pounds on the barbell.”
“But I used my slowest southern accent on you.” He raised his eyebrows. “It’s supposed to charm you.”
“I’m immune.” But she wasn’t immune to the dancing imp of mischief in his blue eyes. That charmed her right down to her toes.
