Page 65 of Cast in Shadow
“Remember Matt Winston, the guy at Sanctuary? Well, his wife, Hayley, is a former Deputy US Marshal. She pulled some strings and was able to fast-track everything.”
“Your network is vast, Robin Hood. No wonder you’re able to remain so elusive.”
“You found me.”
He tilted his head and regarded her. “Did I though?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means, I’m not an idiot. You weren’t some random job. Charley practically handed you to me on a silver platter and paid me fifty grand for the privilege. Who is she, Aggie, and why did she do that?”
Aggie couldn’t tell him about Charley without telling him about her brother, and she couldn’t do that, no matter how much she wanted to. “I can’t answer that.”
“How about you try? And while you’re at it, you can explain how you were able to warn me that the FBI was closing in on us out there with such impeccable timing?”
She opened her mouth, then closed it again. They weren’t her secrets to share. “I can’t. I’m sorry.”
“Can’t? Or won’t?”
“Can’t.”
“Then, I’m sorry too.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means I’m done with the need to know bullshit. You know everything about me and I know nothing about you. I’m done being a pawn in a game I don’t understand.”
He stared deep into her eyes. “It means, you either trust me or you don’t.”
His eyes hardened when seconds ticked by and she said nothing. Then he turned around and walked out.
* * *
Aggie stared out at the scenic view, seeing none of it. The chalet had always been her safe place. Her place to go to rest and recharge in between projects.
Not this time. Now, everything reminded her of Zeke. She saw him everywhere. Cooking in the kitchen. Working out in the gym. Naked in her bed.
Weeks had gone by without a word. Every day, her hope faded a little more that she would.
She got it—she really did. She had a lot of secrets. Her life and the work she did required anonymity and solitude, neither of which was conducive to a relationship. Her brother was the exception, and that was a secret she’d take to the grave. Not even Nix knew she and T were related. Nix thought Robin Hood was one of T’s Chameleons, nothing more.
Until Zeke, that hadn’t been a problem. She moved around a lot, changing identities like most women changed their nail color. She met new people, experienced new things, and eventually returned to her home base, feeling like she’d accomplished something.
It had been enough.
Her laptop pinged, signaling a secure message request.
“Speak of the devil, and he doth appear,” she quipped as T’s face filled the screen.
“You were talking about me?” he asked, amused.
“More like thinking out loud.”
“No word from Raguel?”
“No, and I don’t think there will be. Are you calling for a reason?”
“Do I need one?”
