Page 56 of Lethal Deceit

She shrugs. “It’s what I do. And Delilah helps me keep track of anyone who I might need, just in case.”

Delilah. Right.

“What is Hightower?”

“We’re the people here to give you an opportunity.”

“So you’re here to save me too?”

She cracks open the soda and sinks onto the bed. “I’m here because Mickisn’ta member of Hightower, and Caleb has concerns.”

She examines her apple and rubs a blemish from its skin. “Not that I mind. I finally got to fly in the jet.”

“You have ajet? Just how big is this Hightower thing?”

Amusement flashes across her face. “It’s growing all the time. But the jet is a loaner.”

There’s obviously more to this story than she’s telling me, but that’s not my primary concern.

“You can’t keep me here indefinitely.”

She bites into her apple. “No, but we can keep you out of trouble.”

“And what about Mick? Why is he here, since he obviously doesn’t want to be?”

She smirks at me. “Really?”

“Yes,really.He’s been an arrogant jerk the entire time.”

Her eyes twinkle with amusement before she barks a laugh. “Even when he was kissing you?”

Does everyone know about that? “Forget it. I don’t know why I’m even bothering. I’m the bad guy here no matter what I do or say. Everything I say has to be a lie.”

Her amusement dissolves rapidly. “I’m not going to apologize to you. Youarea criminal. You lie and cheat, and we’d be morons to trust you.”

I fold my arms across my chest. “Right. Got it.”

She frowns like the effort costs her. “Silas sent me because we have more in common than you think.”

I snort. “Highly doubt that.”

She chomps into her apple like it’s chewing on her patience. “I didn’t exactly come from the nuns-and-kittens crowd. Before Hightower, I spent years with people who’d make your worst decisions look like charity work.”

I arch a brow. “What, you dated politicians?”

I expect her to smirk, maybe roll her eyes. Instead, she looks away. Her shoulders drop, not slumping—just... resigned.

“Close enough,” she mutters. “Let’s just say I woke up before the damage was permanent.”

“So you’re here to save my soul,” I say dryly.

“No.” She takes another bite, chews, swallows. “I’m here because you’re still breathing, and that means you’ve got time to figure out where you’re going.”

I tilt my head. “Vague. Comforting. Almost biblical.”

She shrugs. “Take it how you want.”

“So what—Hightower is some kind of outreach program?”

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