Page 13 of Double Edged Hearts
“I won’t lie, I do wish Giles had consulted me first before he approached you with this assignment,” he scuffs with a deep frown.
Giles heads the office here and is like a mini version of him. I have no doubt I’ll be in good hands, but what worries me is the way this case is shaping up.
“Richard, I’m going to be fine. This is the most interesting assignment I’ve ever worked on in the Bureau.”
“And the most dangerous. An old man can worry himself to death.” His brows knit together.
I laugh. “You aren’t old. You’re barely sixty.”
He just turned sixty and is still what anyone would call one of the tough guys. I’ve seen him in action many times, fighting better than a twenty-year-old.
“That’s not the point. If I’m worried I’m worried. You’re exactly like Lily though so I shouldn’t be surprised.” Although he’s smiling, sadness lurks in his gaze. He misses her too. Sometimes I can’t believe she’s gone. “I look at you and I can tell straight away that you are your mother’s daughter. Lily was just like you. Strong willed.”
“I guess I am like her. She called itadventurous.” It’s taken me a long time to be able to talk like this.
He nods knowing what I mean by that. “Adventurous. Yes, that’s her. She’d be proud of you Cora. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks. This case is tough. I’m just hoping we can get some form of lead I can use in some way.”
He sighs. “I hope you do.”
My next words fade when Giles appears at the door. I smile at him, but my stomach clenches when Zack walks up to him.
Zack has that smug-as-fuck expression on his face that I can’t stand. It’s theI know I’m hot shitlook that grates on me.
“Hey, there,” I greet him, remembering my manners. I focus on Giles and ignore Zack although I can feel Zack undressing me with his eyes.
“Hi Cora,” Giles answers, then looks at Richard. “We thought we’d meet you half way. I also thought I’d come to assure you that Cora is a fantastic addition to the team.” Giles nods.
“Thank you. That means a lot,” I tell him and the proud look comes back to Richard’s face.
“Happy to hear that,” Richard says to him. He turns back to me with a hopeful smile. “No rest for the wicked. I agreed to kill two birds with one stone tonight with a meeting. Dinner tomorrow?”
“Absolutely.” I smile.
“Good, see you then.”
He makes his way over to Giles, and while the two of them leave, Zack hangs back just like I expected. He walks in and looks me up and down.
“Something I can do for you, Zack?” I ask. Really, I want to tell him to fuck off and leave me alone, but I have to remember he’s in charge of me.
“I’m just wondering when you’ll say yes to me.” He eyes me with curiosity.
“I’m not sure what you mean,” I answer, playing dumb.
An easy smile dances across his lips. “I think you do. You and I have been playing this game for years. I’m not sure if you’re playing hard to get or if you’re worried about something else.”
Guys like him really irritate me. The fact that I’m just not interested isn’t even entering his head.
“I’m not dating right now,” I say, hoping that will stop him in his tracks.
It doesn’t work. His smile brightens and spreads across his thin lips. “Maybe we don’t have to date. I’m happy to skip that part and head to what happens next.”
The salacious look he gives me burns my cheeks, but not in a good way. He wants me to sleep with him.
“I’m not interested in that either.”
He leans closer, too close, and my heart speeds up. This is the guy who can worm his way out of situations. He’s making an overt pass at me, and I’m damn sure if I reported him, he’d get off free. He’s one of the bosses here.
