“Going back to the library?”
“I assume so. Any word on Zajac’s travel?”
“Still holding to his time patterns according to the last briefing. That was … four hours ago. What are you going to do when it’s time to go to work?”
“Duct tape her to a chair and lock her in a room so she can’t get in any trouble.” He chuckled a bit. “Don’t tell Anubis.”
“Why would I tell him?”
“Long story.”
“Okay, just so you know, I don’t advocate duct tape for any reason when it comes to personal restraints. Might I suggest telling her it could kill not only her but also you if she made a move?”
“Won’t work. She doesn’t care about mortality. She’s all about justice right now.” Blake had no doubt about that. She was after the truth, and anything less than that was unacceptable.
“I get that. Seems to be pervasive in this family.”
“Agreed. I need to watch her for the next three weeks, do my job, and then I’ll disappear.”
Jewell made a noise of agreement, then said, “Okay, well, do me a favor and keep her busy for about an hour. She prevented me from doing some work yesterday that I’d like to take care of.”
“You got it. Could you have my luggage sent to her hotel room?” He needed a change of clothes and a shower, but that could wait until they were done for the day. He rolled down his sleeves and ran the cufflinks through the holes at the wrists.
“Better yet, let me book you into a safer hotel with multiple exits and a stairwell that hasn’t been condemned twice. I’ll send the information to your phone and have both of your possessions taken to the room.”
“Thank you.” The water turned off. “Time for me to go silent.”
“I copy. Take care of yourself, B. If you get hurt on my watch, Joseph will skin me alive.”
Blake smiled but didn’t answer. He finished getting ready, using the sink in the room to prep for the day. When she emerged, her hair damp and her blouse tucked neatly into her skirt, she gave him a slow, assessing look. “You know, you’d be a lot easier to tolerate if you admitted you’re impressed by me.”
“Impressed?” he echoed. He was, but why in the hell would he need to admit it?
“Yes. By my brilliance, my resourcefulness, my sheer determination to topple an empire with nothing but a laptop and a stack of old government documents.” She slid her notes into a satchel and slung it over her shoulder. “You can say it. I won’t hold it against you.”
He arched a brow. “You’re reckless, stubborn, and impossible to reason with.”
“So … you are impressed, then.” Her lips curved, wicked and satisfied.
He shook his head, but there was no hiding the low chuckle that slipped out.
Elise pointed at him with mock triumph. “Ha! I knew it.”
Moving toward the door, Blake paused just long enough to meet her gaze. “Don’t mistake tolerance for admiration, Elise. I don’t have to like your methods to keep you breathing.”
Her eyes sparkled, unfazed. “Oh, you like me. You just don’t want to admit it yet.”
With that, she swept past him into the hallway before he could reply, her perfume lingering in the air like a challenge. Blake followed, not sure he was ready for what the day had in store for him. And he wouldn’t argue with her about liking her. There was an undeniable attraction. Her dark hair, green eyes,easy smile, fantastic figure, and cutting wit were bait for a trap he couldn’t and wouldn’t walk through. She was a reporter; he was an assassin. Yeah, that would never work out. The best thing was not to start it in the first place.
They stepped out into the cool morning, the city already stirring awake. Vendors rolled up metal shutters, delivery vans rattled down narrow streets, and the smell of strong coffee and fresh bread drifted from corner cafés.
Elise inhaled, her stride purposeful. “If you’re going to stalk me all day, you can at least buy me breakfast.”
That would take up some time, and he was all about helping his Aunt Jewell out. Blake kept pace beside her, scanning doorways, windows, and alleys. “Fine.” He began searching for a suitable place to stop.
She arched a brow. “No argument? No lecture about security and exposure?”
Blake stopped and turned to her. “Okay. Elise, you’re eating whether you like it or not. You don’t have a choice in the matter, I’m making the selection of the café, and I want hot, strong coffee and something with a ton of sugar.” He handed her a fold of forints, the currency used in Budapest.
