Page 18 of Built of Illusions

Shoot. He did have the book where she’d poured out everything she’d been feeling for those women. She didn’t want him seeing the last picture. Seeing that she was afraid and that she was feeling connected to the others.

She tried to reach around him to grab it but he moved away. “You’re very talented, Josie. You have a gift.”

“And you don’t have a warrant. I’d like that back, please.”

Nico cracked out a laugh. “Don’t need a warrant when I’m invited in and the sketchpad was in plain sight.” He laugh stopped abruptly as he turned the page.

Josie didn’t bother asking for it again. It was too late. She didn’t particularly want to see how weird he thought she was for adding herself to the group, so she turned around and picked up her tea mug. It was still too hot to drink, but she brought it up and blew across the top. Anything to avoid looking at Nico’s face.

He turned toward her, still studying the sketch and Josie peeked at his expression. Still frowning but she couldn’t see his eyes.

Then his gaze snapped up and he grimaced. “So you see it, too. I shouldn’t be surprised. Roman and I both noticed the similarities, but we were hoping you didn’t see it.”

Fat chance. Making a living meant studying all things visual.

Nico set the sketchpad down on a free space on the table and moved toward her. “There’s no reason to believe he knows anything about you. There’s no reason to think he’s in Sacramento.”

Josie shrugged. She knew that. That’s what she’d been telling herself since she’d seen the connection.

Nico put down the pad and came to lean on the island beside her. He grabbed his own mug and sipped as he studied her face. “Seems I’m not the only one who didn’t sleep last night.”

Instead of answering, she shrugged and sipped her tea. Was it better to realize she wasn’t the only one seeing the connections between her and the other women? Or would it be better if Nico thought she was ridiculously paranoid? At least then the danger wouldn’t feel real.

But it did.

She didn’t want to ask, but she had to. “Have you found any clues as to how he picks the women he kills?”

Nico shook his head. “Not yet. We can make the connections after the fact, but we don’t know where he’s heading next.”

“He seems to be heading somewhere?”

Nico winced as if he realized he shouldn’t have divulged that piece of information. He rubbed his forehead and pinched his nose. “We don’t know. Don’t mention that to anyone. I think we’d both feel better if you didn’t take public transportation for a while. Take ride shares or cabs if you need to go anywhere. Don’t open your door to anyone you don’t know.”

His words meant that he viewed her as a potential target. She couldn’t stop the shudder. Nico put down his mug and ran his hands up and down her arms.

Then he took her mug and set it down as well and pulled her in for a hug. She wanted to melt into him, soak up all his strength and warmth. Feel safe and protected. Wanted. Desired.

She circled her arms around his waist and leaned her head on his chest. For long minutes they stood, neither speaking, while Nico’s hands continued to move and offer comfort.

Finally he sighed. “I’m probably being paranoid, seeing connections that aren’t there. But you fit his type, Josie.”

She shuddered again and his arms tightened and he kissed her hair. Startled, she looked up but didn’t loosen her hold. He felt too good.

She’d been attracted to this man from their first meeting. That attraction had only deepened over the years as she’d got to know him, to see past the calm and unflappable front he presented to the world. She itched to grab her camera or her sketchpads whenever he was near.

That reminded her of the sketchpad she kept in a drawer in her bedroom. Thankfully that one hadn’t been out while she’d been making tea.

Her flush deepened as she thought of how many times she’d drawn his face, his body. He was a beautiful man full of confidence and power.

And right now, he was focused on her.

Chapter 7

Draw A Breath

Nico knew his emotions were overpowering his reason. He was trying to remember why that was a bad thing.

Josie had intrigued him from the first time she’d sashayed into the FBI building, offering her skills to catch criminals. She was strong and independent. Far too independent. She didn’t need anyone.

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