Page 3 of Protecting You

This was her chance to hang onto her dream—and prove to Dad she hadn’t made the biggest mistake of her life when she’d quit her job.

So what if she didn’t like Charles Sanders? She worked with a lot of arrogant clients. This one was no different. Just better paying.

She held out her hand. “We have a deal.”

He slid his palm against hers, and despite all those zeros, when she caught the brief but unmistakable triumph that crossed his expression, she had to stifle a shudder.

She pulled away. “I look forward to?—”

“Darling!”

The voice twinged her memory, familiar enough that she couldn’t help looking toward the person who’d spoken it, though she was certainly nobody’sdarling.

The man headed straight to their table. “Sorry to interrupt. I couldn’t wait to see you and took a chance you’d be finished.” He bent toward Alyssa, his back to Charles, and kissed her cheek.

Callan Templeton?

What was happening?

He whispered, “Trust me. Go with it.” His words were more breathed than spoken, sending shivers of pleasure down her spine, which annoyed her as much as the interruption.

Callan straightened and turned to her client, sticking out his hand. “Caleb Thompson. Sorry to interrupt.”

Wait.Caleb?

“Charles Sanders.” He stood to shake his hand. “Please, join us.”

“If it’s okay.” Callan shot a look toward Alyssa as if asking permission, which he obviously wasn’t, all things considered.

He took an empty chair from an adjacent table and scooted it beside hers, and she didn’t object, not because she wanted him there but because… Well, she knew Callan. She didn’tlikehim, but she had no reason not to trust him.

Whereas Charles, despite his connection to Michael, gave her the creeps. She had no reason to trust this smooth-talking client of hers.

Callan, a.k.a. Caleb, knew something she didn’t.

Of course he did. Because the CIA gave Callan access, all the access she’d craved.

Old bitterness infected her lungs and made her itch to clear her throat.

“I take it you two are together?” Charles gave Alyssa a pointed look.

“Actually—”

“I’ve been out of town for so long that it doesn’t feel like it.” Callan-slash-Caleb gripped her hand on the table, squeezing a little too hard. “How long has it been?”

“Feels like years.” Was that her voice, all normal and flippant?

His smile was light. “I’ve missed you, too, darling.” He scooted his chair closer and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “She hates it when I travel, but work beckons. You understand.”

He was talking about her as if she weren’t there. Was this how he treated actual girlfriends? She was scanning the table for a knife. Why hadn’t she ordered a steak? The butter knife would do minor damage, but a well-aimed fork?—

“Too bad.” Charles gave her a dark look that made her almost happy Callan’s arm claimed her. Almost. “Perhaps that explains why she wouldn’t have a drink with me.”

“Loyal to a T. That’s why I’m marrying her.”

Whoa.Marrying?

Charles flicked a glance at the naked ring finger on her left hand.

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