Page 47 of Built of Illusions

She blinked back the tears and smiled. “Trusting you is the easy part.”

His smile was fierce and had her tingling in the very best places.

Those deep dark eyes held nothing back and she felt her heart roll over and go belly up. She was totally and completely in love with this man.

Rather than telling him that, she blew out a deep breath and tried to send her doubts with it. “Okay. I’m in. All in.”

She wasn’t quite brave enough to tell him that she meant that in all the ways. She was all in with Nico too.

Chapter 16

Killing Time

Nico slapped Graham on the shoulder. “Thanks for doing this.”

Graham grinned and nodded. “It’s been fun. Who knew your woman would be such a demon on wheels?”

No kidding. Josie had a driver’s license, but she’d never owned a car. Yet, she was driving over the snow-covered course like a pro. And having a great time.

Currently she and Aisling were racing around the track at Midnight Runway, a secondary site for Midnight Security. The former airport now served as a training track. Graham taught offensive and defensive driving techniques as well as shooting techniques at the gun range in the back.

They’d been at Midnight Lake for two days and nothing untoward had happened. Josie had joined in several self-defence classes Sam had scheduled. She’d also had private lessons with Tansy, Flynn, and Nico. Tansy had added trackers to Josie’s phone and boots, as well as a cream she had to renew every few days.

They’d had team meetings, got everyone up to speed on the security systems in place around the property, and researched.

Tessa was hell on research. Add in Bella and Tansy and the screens on the computers nearly burned up with the speed of the data flying across them.

Today was about getting Josie comfortable with a gun and a car. The former hadn’t gone well, but she was kicking ass on the latter.

As if reading his mind, Graham sighed. “I wish she wasn’t so averse to the weapons. She and Tansy are of the same mindset.”

Nico nodded. “It’s part of what makes them who they are. We just have to make sure they’re always protected.”

Graham nodded as the women roared over the finish line, both laughing. “You two seem to be closer than you were at Christmas.”

Nico laughed. “Subtle. She’s amazing.”

His buddy grinned. “You know I don’t do subtle. She’s good for you.”

Nico’s eyebrows shot up, making Graham laugh. “You’re not the only observant one in the group, Mr. Profiler. It’s not that hard. Despite the horrific case, you’re smiling and relaxed. And you can’t keep your eyes off her when she’s in the room.”

All true, so he shrugged.

“We’ll keep her safe.”

They would. Nothing was more important to him.

Watching Josie laugh with her friend as they exited the cars and put away their helmets had his heart thumping. Graham had called her his woman.

He wanted that. Wanted it more than he’d wanted anything in a long time. Ever?

The chill in the air helped him suck back the emotion as they moved to the hangar that served as a garage, mechanic’s shop, and classroom.

As Graham closed the hangar door, Nico’s phone rang and he stayed outside to answer it. They weren’t all the way up the mountain, but it was far enough away from the nearest town that the reception was better outside than in.

Roman’s name on the screen sent a chill through Nico. They’d been in contact several times a day as they both worked on their own avenues of research, but this wasn’t a scheduled call.

And it was three weeks since the last victim had been found.

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