Page 85 of Wicked Intention

The silence settled, and Finn let it linger before he asked, “Why didn’t you let Zo off the hook tonight?”

That pulled the man’s gaze back to him. “I tried, but she refused.”

“Yeah,” Finn said. He could see Zo insisting it was her turn, and she wasn’t shirking her responsibilities.

“Did you already have plans?” The query sounded polite, nothing more, and yet Finn doubted it was a casual question. Archer was rarely off-hand.

“No.” Finn didn’t offer any additional information. Their boss knew Zo well enough to understand she would have alerted Finn about this gala far in advance. He watched the man out of the corner of his eye, but his expression remained bland, giving nothing away. The question could have had dozens of motivations, even ones that hadn’t occurred to Finn yet. Archer played a deep game.

“Youareplanning to celebrate her birthday, correct?”

Finn’s eyes narrowed. “Yes.” His voice was every bit as neutral as Archer’s had been. “Why do you ask?”

There was a brief pause. “You better cut in.”

Finn’s gaze immediately went to the dance floor, but Zo was smiling her real smile, and he saw no signs of distress. “Earlier, you told me not to cut in or interrupt her no matter what.”

“So I did, but Mr. Cabot’s wife has been drinking”—he made an unobtrusive gesture toward a scowling blonde woman at one of the cash bars across the room—“and judging from the jealous glares she’s casting at Zo, she’s close to breaking up the dance herself. If you do it, there won’t be a scene.”

Finn was moving before Archer finished speaking. Zo would hate being the center of attention, especially this kindof attention. He tapped Cabot on the shoulder. The man hesitated before reluctantly stepping aside.

“Thank you, Zofia. I enjoyed our conversation,” he said, then with a brief inclination of his head to Finn, the older man left.

Zo moved into Finn’s arms. “You didn’t need to run to the rescue. Bernard wasn’t putting any moves on me. He’s fascinated by the Incan and Mayan civilizations and was asking interesting questions.”

Finn tugged Zo closer to avoid another couple, and kept her there. “Archer sent me. He said the man’s wife was about to go off.”

She looked around, sighed, and said, “I hate these things.”

“I know, loquita. Hell of a way to spend your birthday.”

Her expression transformed into a smile. “It could be worse. I could be in a catfight with a billionaire’s trophy wife.”

“You’d take her.”

“Maybe not. She probably works out every day with her personal trainer and goes to Pilates.”

“Is Pilates still a thing?”

Zo shrugged. “Who knows? The point is that she wouldn’t be a pushover.”

“Yeah, but you’re no pushover either, and you have me for a trainer.”

Zo’s smile broadened. “You did teach me to take out an attacker. Sadly, I don’t think the Paladin League would get the donation Bernard promised if I put his wife on the floor.” For a moment, she stayed quiet then added, “I’d rather dance with you than fight anyway. I’m talked out, and needed the break.”

Finn settled Zo deeper into his embrace. She could fake being outgoing better than he could—and he was damn good when he wanted to be—but when it came down to it, she was more introverted than he was. Over the past few months, he’d learned that she wouldn’t shut it down, that she’d run herself empty, and it was up to him to make sure it didn’t happen. Sowhen the song segued into a waltz, he continued to dance, not letting her step away.

“I don’t know why everyone wants to talk to me anyway,” she groused, but there was more mellow in her voice than there had been, and it told him she was relaxing.

“You’re an archaeologist, and they’re donating to the Paladin League because they have an interest. Of course, they want to talk to you.” She stiffened, and Finn knew her argument before she even voiced it—he should after hearing it so many times. “Yes, you are an archaeologist. From what Archer said, you were about five minutes away from your PhD.”

“Not quite,” Zo said, but she left it there.

“Why didn’t you finish?” he asked again. Zo had never explained the other times he’d put the question to her. “You were nearly there.”

Because they were so close together, Finn felt Zo stiffen. He waited for her to walk away in order to evade the topic. She’d done it before, but Zo did reply. “It was easier to kill expectations than manage them.” She changed the subject before he could quiz her about what she meant. “Do you have my phone?”

She knew he did, and although he was curious why she’d check, he didn’t ask. “Yes, do you need it?”

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