Page 38 of Shadow Lies

He was more SEAL than monk. The year that had passed since he’d worn that uniform seemed to fade away. All his training came back.

Like how the body retained muscle memory, he knew exactly what he had to do. He moved to the bathroom and did a search in there, finding nothing.

That wasn’t as reassuring as he’d like it to be. Just because he found nothing didn’t mean there was nothing there.

Charley obviously had backing by an organization with a long reach, money and power.

But without a device to detect surveillance, just relying on his hands and eyes and training, he felt like he was back in the Stone Age.

One thing he did miss about the SEALs was that they had the best toys. Almost anything he wanted or needed—technology, weapons—he could request and usually get.

Here he was on his own.

He walked back into the living area and saw Alexis already seated in front of a bank of computer monitors. Maybe he was not quite alone after all.

“You done?” she asked without taking her eyes off the monitor in front of her or her hands off the keyboard.

“Yes.”

“Are we bugged?” she asked, not quite getting the lingo right, which he found too adorable for comfort.

“Not that I can find.”

“Good.” Her fingers flying over the keyboard, she clicked away.

He obviously couldn’t help her in her hacking endeavors.

That was one skill he didn’t possess. Which made him wonder what he was doing here.

He decided to ask. “Why am I here, Lexi?”

She glanced up at him. “I can use your help.”

“In what?” He shook his head, still not understanding.

“Putting any pieces I find together.”

She could have brought anything she found to the monastery for him to look over on his break. He didn’t have to be here in the hotel watching her clack away at the keys.

He moved closer and rested one hand over hers, stopping her rapid typing. “Why am I really here?”

She raised her eyes to him. Those amazing eyes he’d recognized in the abbot’s office after a not having seen her for a decade.

Blue. Green. Both hues swirled together to create a kaleidoscope.

Against her dark halo of tight curls and the deep warm tone of her complexion inherited from her Jamaican mother, the contrast of those eyes took her from simply pretty to head-turning. Heart stopping.

Her sister had them too, a legacy from their Irish father.

Brittany’s eyes had been what he’d first noticed about her at CUNY. The sisters were equally attractive, though so different in who they were.

Thoughts of his ex-girlfriend had him realizing something. It felt like he knew more about Alexis in just a few days than he ever had about her sister. Even after having dated her for two years.

Alexis opened her mouth and he thought she might finally answer his question. But she didn’t speak. Instead she stood and rested both hands on his chest.

“I…I just needed you with me. Is that okay?”

Not really. Nothing about what he was feeling was okay after being celibate for a year.

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