“For what?”she asked, bewildered, as though they hadn’t discussed this seconds ago.
He rose and approached her.
Once he was standing mere inches from her, she stood her ground and blocked his exit.His fingers tingled with the urge to run them along her hips.Wetting his lips, he stamped down the desire to press them against hers.That would have to wait.
He’d managed to show restraint for the past few days.Giving in now would seal his fate.He’d never leave.
“Excuse me,” he rumbled in a baritone that was unfamiliar to him.
Her chin quivered for a moment.Sadness consumed her eyes, and his heart pinched.He hated this feeling.It did him no good.Regret, guilt, or even remorse were useless to a killer like himself.He had to do what needed to be done.
Right now, that was leaving her to return to her normal life.They both had to put this behind them.
Turning away, she stepped back.
Swallowing his emotions, he disappeared into the bathroom to collect his final items.
He had to do it.He had to move on.There was nothing left for him here.
Except Sydney.
She wasn’t his.This woman should resume her normal routine.She would get over this killer fantasy she had.
Or she wouldn’t.
Did he want to be responsible for her doing something stupid on her own because he couldn’t swallow his pride long enough to give her a few pointers?
Dropping his deodorant into the bag, he shook his head.This wasn’t his problem.She wasn’t his responsibility.His hands rested on the edge of the sink.Sydney was an adult.She should know murder wasn’t the right manner in which to live.He did it.She shouldn’t.
The two of them needed to put the past few days behind them.They were nice, but their time together had come to a close.It couldn’t be avoided.All good things ended.A person in his line of work didn’t get to enjoy the comforts of having someone like Sydney around.
Finkhad to bea loner.He had to be solitary for his safety and hers.Bringing her into the fold would get her hurt.Or worse.He couldn’t carry that on his conscience.Didn’t she understand?Not every job would go the way Grant’s had.It’d been a happy accident.One that would be unlikely to repeat itself.
Vrr.Vrr.
Stiffening his spine, he turned toward the bedroom.
Vrr.Vrr.
The burner phone vibrated on the dresser.
Sydney appeared in the hallway outside the bathroom.
Vrr.Vrr.
“You should get that.”
20
Sydney
Sydneywouldn’tcry.Therewas no reason to.So he shot her down.It wasn’t the first time she’d been rejected by a guy.He wasn’t interested in showing her how to be a killer.Fine.She’d figured it out on her own.
She’d always have the memory of her initial experience.With him.For that, she should be grateful.Some people never got the chance to experience their true calling.It was a gift.
No tears.
She was tougher than that.Being abandoned wasn’t new to her.She’d survive.Thrive.She’d done it before and would do it again.
