Page 49 of So Close

“Identify the problem,” I coach myself as I open the email. “Then dissect it.”

I recognize the guilt that mists my skin with sweat and leads me to wild conclusions without basis. I’ve been too careful, and Kane’s been too oblivious.

Dear Mr. Black,

Please find attached the final case report of our investigation for your records. It provides a summary overview and analysis of the findings you and I discussed previously. The case is now closed, as per your request.

We appreciate your business and hope we’ll have the pleasure of working with you again in the future.

All best,

Giles Prescott

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Owner / Lead Investigator

Rampart Protection & Investigative Services

The sharp points of my nails dig into the soft flesh of my palm. The pain centers me and reminds me that I can survive anything. I’ve already survived the worst that can happen to a woman. Anything else is an annoyance, nothing more.

I open the attachment, scroll past the cover sheet, and my stomach drops. I hardly breathe, arrested and unmoving.

Lily.

Kane has been investigating his wife. And not just recently. Rampart’s report begins by detailing the initial scope of the investigation and the date it began, which was shortly after she was declared dead. Six years. My mind struggles to accept the extent of the scrutiny. What could possibly take six years to dig up?

I force myself to relax muscles that have gone stiff with strain. My mouth curves into a broad smile. It’s not Amy I need to focus on; it’s Lily. The flight instinct transitions fluidly to fight.

I’m no longer the prey; I am the hunter.

I send the file to the printer, close the email and mark it as unread. I make a mental note: I may need to arrange a meeting with Rogelio to erase those telltale keystrokes. If our security chief were a more attentive lover, I wouldn’t put it off.

I backtrack out, closing everything I opened before turning the terminal off.

Standing, I take a deep breath and touch a hand to my hair. It feels like I’ve run a marathon, the waning adrenaline spike leaving me shaky and breathless. I push the chair beneath the desk, ensuring nothing is out of place. Then I head back to the copy room.

Is it all an act, Kane’s affection for Lily? Perhaps she’s not the only one playing a role. There is something about her he questions deeply enough to investigate. Considering her stake in Baharan, I have a right to know what he suspects and how damaging it might be to the company.

The printer is still spitting out pages when I get there. By the time the job finishes, the stack is an inch thick. I straighten them, put them into a manila envelope and head back to my office for my purse. Then I leave for the day.

I have a lot of homework to do.

30

LILY

Long before we reach I-287,I know we’re headed to Connecticut. The happy fluttering in my belly settles in for the ride. My anticipation and excitement are alive within the confines of the Range Rover. You are at the wheel; I am in the passenger seat beside you. Witte was picked up at the Crossfire by another driver.

Before we left the city, you relayed quick orders, which I hardly paid attention to because you were undressing on the sidewalk in front of the Crossfire.

You removed your jacket first, highlighting the leanness of your waist. The well-defined muscles of your back flexed as you hung the garment from an OEM hanger attached to the driver’s seat headrest. Your tie was next; the tie clip and your cufflinks slipped neatly into your coat pockets. Then, you unbuttoned your collar and rolled up your sleeves, your biceps briefly straining the luxe material of your shirt.

You were quick and efficient, your actions commonplace, but your body moves with such power and vital sensuality. You are devastatingly handsome and urbane. It amused me how completely oblivious you were to the number of covetous glances you’d provoked in bystanders by the time you said farewell to Witte.

Then you assisted me into the front seat and revealed you were aware of my admiration all along. “We won’t make it out of the city if you keep looking at me like that.”

“If you keep looking that hot, it’s your fault.”

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