Chapter 9 #2
Which seemed oddly intimidating. She grimaced.
“I am not a fan,” she agreed. Then she was the one reaching out for Atlas, mostly because she was worried about just what he might do next.
He seemed far too controlled, and those peeking dimples and that cold grin were a stark warning.
One that Gage didn’t seem to understand. “Let’s go.”
Atlas’s hand flew up and caught hers. But then he turned her wrist. Shoved up the sleeve on the sweatshirt.
“For your edification, Agent Emerick, we weren’t holding hands the whole time.
She was cuffed to me. Every damn moment in the basement.
Every moment. She fought to save me. Then when we went to the hospital, where plenty of people saw us both.
Yes, we were separated during some imaging scans, but that separation was very, very brief.
Check with the nurses. Check with Dr. Phillip Owen.
Lily and I stayed together nearly every single moment.
She’s not lying to you, and don’t ever fucking accuse her of lying—or of any other crime—again.
If you do that shit in front of me, it will be a fatal mistake. ”
But Gage surged toward him. “That’s the second time you’ve threatened—”
“You think I don’t have pull at the FBI, dumbass?
” Still a polite tone, but savage words.
“I had dinner with the deputy director last week. You do not want to screw around with me. Get on my bad side, and it will be the worst mistake you’ll ever make.
” His fingers slid lightly over her bruised wrist. “Come on, sweets, let’s get you to bed. ”
Gage was gaping at him. Atlas hadn’t threatened the Fed’s life. He’d threatened to take away his job, his power. A far more effective threat to someone like Gage.
She didn’t want to stay in that bedroom another moment.
What she hadn’t told Gage…she could see rage there.
Feel it. The person searching her room had grown increasingly angry—and all of that rage had been directed at her.
There had been no need to smash the small, ceramic pieces on her bookshelves.
The little dragons had just been fun pieces that she’d picked up because she liked the whimsy of them.
She’d had some of those little book dragons for years.
But…
The intruder had smashed them. Just as he’d slashed the artwork on her walls. He’d gone right to the heart of the house—her most intimate spot—and he’d destroyed everything he saw.
What a sonofabitch.
Not a clinical term but…
“How long have the two of you been involved?” Gage asked. He’d followed them through the house and onto the porch.
Her gaze swept the exterior scene. A local news van had just parked. Desmond paced impatiently near the limo. She didn’t see Carl. Wait, was he behind the limo’s steering wheel? Yes, yes, he was.
Carl and Desmond were ready for a getaway. Good, so was she.
“How long?” Gage pressed.
Since they weren’t involved and Atlas had just done that whole spiel about Gage not accusing her of being a liar, Lily figured she’d just keep quiet and, uh, not lie.
“Lily began emailing me quite some time ago.” Atlas’s calm and cool voice.
“I’m sure I can dig up the first note if you want a specific date, but, frankly, you’re just annoying me so I don’t feel like going to the effort.
” Atlas threaded his fingers with hers as they walked down the sidewalk and toward the limo, but he paused and turned back toward the Fed.
“We were victims tonight. In light of this break-in, my Lily was a victim twice. I would think that someone who cares about her would be showing a bit more kindness under the circumstances. Perhaps some sympathy. And not just acting like a jealous prick because she found someone better to fuck.”
What?
“Your loss,” Atlas continued seeming to be utterly unconcerned with Gage. “But I’m not a dumbass like you so I won’t make your mistakes. Have to admit, it was not exactly a pleasure meeting you, and, unfortunately, I’m sure our paths will cross again.”
Yes, okay, done. She dragged him toward the limo. Double timed it because she was a bit worried about what he might say next.
“Is he being a pain in the ass?” Desmond asked softly when she passed him.
“Major,” she responded.
“Want me to eliminate him?”
Wait, what? It took her a beat to realize he was talking about Gage, not Atlas. He was offering to eliminate Gage. “He’s a Fed. And no one is eliminating anyone.”
Desmond shrugged. “Tell me if you change your mind.”
“I am not changing my mind.” She pushed Atlas’s broad back to get him in the limo. The blonde newscaster from Channel Five had just hopped out of her van and was torpedoing toward them.
Lily hurried in the limo after Atlas. Desmond slammed the door behind them, then assumed a protective position outside the vehicle. And, Carl, bless him, took off.
Her breath heaved in and out. In and out. And her hand extended toward Atlas. “I believe you have something that belongs to me?” She needed that diary back.
But, instead of handing it to her, he settled a bit more comfortably against the leather seat. Then he smiled. Those dimples were a flashing red light. Danger. Danger.
Her heart thudded hard in her chest.
And he asked, “What is it worth to you?”
Desmond Yoruba watched the limo drive away. Lily Gallo made him want to smile. She’d looked so horrified by his offer. Not exactly what he and Atlas had expected when they’d begun digging into the woman’s life.
Desmond had thought she’d be colder. More controlled. Lethal. And, she probably was lethal, but the woman clearly did not have a full killer instinct. At least, not yet. Maybe that would change after she spent more time with Atlas. Atlas had a way of pulling out a person’s dark side.
“You gonna lie for your boss?”
Ah, that would be the prick Fed. Desmond turned toward him, quirking a brow.
“FBI Special Agent Gage Emerick,” he said, introducing himself and offering his hand.
Desmond knew the name. He was sure that Atlas had recognized it, too.
After all, they’d come across the man when they did Lily’s initial background report, though he was sure that Atlas had played it cool and probably acted as if he knew nothing about the guy.
That was Atlas’s way, always keeping his secrets close.
Gage Emerick had been Lily’s last lover. Over a year ago. Then, almost overnight, Lily had seemingly severed all contact with the man.
What did you do to piss off Lily Gallo?
“You’re Desmond Yoruba, aren’t you?” Gage asked as he wiggled his fingers.
Ah. So Gage had been doing his research, too. Not exactly surprising. Desmond took the offered hand, found the grip a little too weak, and let the man go. “Guilty.”
Gage frowned at him. “At least you didn’t try to break my hand the way Atlas did. The dude clearly has something to prove.”
No, Atlas had probably just been pissed. Maybe jealous, too. Jealousy would be new for Atlas. His friend might not know how to handle the emotion. “He doesn’t like people touching things that belong to him.”
Gage backed up a step. “So…wait, are you talking about Lily? Me and Lily? I haven’t touched her in—”
“You touched her here today. I saw you. So did he. We both also saw how you looked at her. You should be careful. You really don’t want Atlas as an enemy.”
“More threats. Noted.” A muscle flexed along Gage’s jaw. “Atlas Bennett was abducted. Maybe I’m trying to help him and Lily? How about we all consider that option? I’m with the Behavior Analysis Unit, and I am good at my job. I know killers.”
Give yourself a cookie. I know them, too.
Because I was turned into one when I was just a kid.
Information he did not share with most people.
“Are you as good as Lily?” Desmond asked instead.
The question was a deliberate taunt. “Do you know them as well as she does? Because I’m pretty sure she’s an expert.
” Then, because he could sense some blood in the water, he added, “Is that why you and Lily were so close, for so long? Because she was helping you to know killers?”
“I’m not the bad guy here.” Faint lines bracketed Gage’s mouth. “I care about Lily. I want to keep her safe.” He pointed back toward the house. “Someone out there clearly wants to hurt her.”
It did appear that Lily had attracted too much of the perp’s attention.
“Your boss was abducted when you were supposed to be keeping him safe. So you can see where I’m concerned. I’m worried that maybe you and Atlas Bennett aren’t up to the task of protecting Lily.”
Desmond narrowed his eyes. “I can do my job.”
“Really? Then where were you when Atlas was taken?”
Oh, such a prick.
“If you were doing your job, just how did Atlas get taken?”
Desmond just stared at him.
“Did he ditch his protective detail?” Gage pressed.
“Give you orders to stand down? If so, why would he do something like that?” Gage’s hand returned to his side.
Rested near his holster. “Because you’re supposed to be the best out there when it comes to security. At least, that’s the word I picked up.”
Who’d given him that word? And when?
“In order for your boss to get taken, you must have been told to stand down. Ordered to give him space. Otherwise, hell, it just looks like you’re guilty. Like you left your boss vulnerable so that he could be killed.”
Desmond raised his eyebrows. “You’re accusing me of being involved?”
“Are you involved?”
Desmond laughed. “You are not very good at mind games. No wonder Lily grew tired of you.” Shaking his head, he turned away.
But the Fed curled a hand around his shoulder.
“Lily is good at mind games. Never forget that. And you didn’t answer my question. Not any of them, actually.”
He glanced back at Gage Emerick. Staring the Fed dead in the eyes, Desmond replied, “I was not involved in the abduction. I was told that Atlas did not need security yesterday evening. He had other plans.”
“Plans…that involved Lily?”
He had no comment for that one.
Gage leaned closer. “Does Atlas typically have security with him, everywhere he goes?”
“You have the wrong impression of him. Atlas goes where he wants, and he does what he wants.”
“Jeez. Sounds like the man is a security nightmare.”
You have no idea. And you don’t want to know about my nightmares. “He pays well.”
“Well enough to cover up something like say…a murder?”
Desmond laughed. In the guy’s face. Again, the Fed was just not good enough at mind games. “Don’t know the meaning of being subtle, do you, Agent Emerick? FYI, I signed a nondisclosure agreement the day I accepted my job with Atlas. He requires an NDA from everyone in his inner circle.”
“Has Lily signed one of those already?”
Not yet, but he had a feeling she would be signing one very soon.
One of the uniformed cops called for Gage. He hesitated. “I will be in charge of this investigation.”
“I’m sure the locals will love to know that. A break-in doesn’t seem to be high enough priority for a Fed, but you do you.”
“I’m not just talking about the break-in. I’m talking about the serial killer hunting in Dallas. I will apprehend him. See you again soon.” With that, he turned on his heel and marched toward the waiting cops.
Desmond watched him go. Oh, yes, that man would be a problem.
It was good that Atlas excelled when it came to eliminating problems.