Page 20 of Shadow Lies
“After that is three hours of kung fu practice until the start of evening Buddhist lessons.”
Her eyes widened. “Three hours a day of kung fu?”
“No. Three hours for theafternoonsession. We practice closer to six hours a day.”
“Sixhours?” Her eyes opened wider. “Why?”
“With practice comes wisdom.”
She shook her head as he quoted Zen Buddhism to her. “I guess I mean, why are you here, Kane?”
“Where better to learn and perfect my skills?” That was partially the truth, which he figured was good enough.
She stared at him and he could see her mind working as she considered that. “So the end goal is what? To take the test and become a kung fu master? A shifu?”
His lips twitched with a restrained smile. “Someone’s been googling.”
Her gaze dropped. “There wasn’t much on television in the hotel last night.” She shrugged.
Sobering, he admitted the truth. “I don’t know what the end goal is. All I know is I’m happy here now.”
“And whatever Charley’s offer is doesn’t intrigue you enough to even hear about it?” she asked.
“Not really.”
People like Charley were expert manipulators. Adept at getting exactly what they wanted, no matter the cost for those they used to get it. He wasn’t interested in being used by her or anyone else. Not again.
No, thank you.
In fact, that was the perfect response for Alexis to give her boss. “Please tell her thanks, but no thanks.”
Alexis shook her head. “Okay, Kane, that’s fine if you’re not interested in taking the job but here’s the thing. I’m curious. I want to know why a woman I never met tracked down my cell phone number and called me out of the blue. Why she foot the bill for a new wardrobe and makeover and a first class ticket to China for me, on top of a more than generous fee for my time. All just so I can convince you to talk to her.”
Ah, so Charley had cleaned up Alexis before she saw him. He let his gaze drop pointedly down her body then dragged it up again.
She reacted to his full body perusal. He could see her surprise, colored with shades of what could be discomfort.
He didn’t feel at all bad for looking. If she was going to let Charley use her and her body to get to him, why not look?
She needed to realize if she was going to throw her new look at him, he was going to take advantage of it.
Beneath the robe he was still a man, just in case she thought otherwise.
“You could just be grateful for the makeover and free trip. Buy some souvenirs for the folks. Go sightseeing.” He shrugged. “I hear the temple puts on a pretty good show for the tourists.”
She ignored his suggestion and said, “It will cost you nothing to listen to what Charley has to say. Not a thing.”
His arms stayed firmly crossed over his chest. “Cost isn’t the issue.”
“Then what is?”
“I don’t trust her. What’s with all the secrecy and mystery? And that code name? Honest people don’t keep secrets.”
“Sure, they do. The government. The military. Both keep secrets. You were in the Navy. You know. Sometimes keeping a secret is necessary for the greater good, even for honest people.”
That was laughable. Her bringing up his service was not the way to win him over. “Not everyone in the government or the military is honorable or honest. And not every secret kept is for the greater good. You’d better learn that now, little girl.”
Her eyes narrowed at how he’d addressed her. He’d touched a nerve. Good.
