Page 22 of Tell Me All Your Lies

“What about myplans?” I ask Dodger.

He glances up at me, and I see my weathered friend feels for what I’m about to go through despite his lack of knowledge about my relationship with Grant.

“You’re lead on this, Collins. Share any plans with your new partner.”

Slowly, my fallen façade reappears. Standing up, I pull my jacket around me tightly and shift my briefcase bag around my shoulder.

“Will do, sir.”

With my mask in place, I stoically march out of Dodger’s office with Grant on my heels.

I walk toward Dodger’s assistant, and she’s standing in front of her desk with two sealed packets in her hands. As I approach, she silently hands one to me and then one to Grant.

He follows me as I leave, and we reach the elevator silently.

As I enter, I press the first-floor button and watch as the doors close with us both inside.

“You need to do better,” he says.

I flinch and slowly turn to look up at his two hazel eyes.

“Excuse me?” I ask slowly.

“You’re better than that. Don’t let Dodger get to you.”

“I was professional.”

“You were emotional.”

My head rears back in astonishment before I face forward once again.

“You’re better than that.”

“You don’t even know me, Sinclair. Despite what you may think, you have no idea who I am or how I work.”

“Cara.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“I know you’re one of the best contractors out there. I know you have one of the top five sniper shots in the world.”

Grant pauses, and I feel the warmth of his breath lightly touching the shell of my ear. It causes goose bumps to prick along my skin.

I turn around and face him once more. When I do, our faces are mere inches away from one another.

One thing I hate the most about Grant Sinclair is that he is every bit as breathtaking as the reputation that precedes him. I want to say he’s not my type, but as I’m caught in his line of sight, I long to stay here.

“You’re a phenomenal daughter who continually goes above and beyond for her parents. You value family. You value those who you let yourself get close to. You care more than anyone in our line of work should. You are Cara Collins. The best there is.”

My mouth parts as I bask in his words.

“Don’t let someone like Dodger get under your skin.”

He waits for me to reply, but how can I respond to that? He just crossed every line we’ve ever put between us. All my mixed emotions about the man are swirling around my mind, making me feel lightheaded.

The elevator dings and begins to open, and we both automatically face the door. I readjust my bag on my shoulder and grin as I face him one last time.

“I think you’d like to be the only man who gets under my skin.”

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