“Got it.”
Moving in fast-forward, I get changed and ready in less than sixty seconds. When I return to the living room, Lila rises from the couch and pads over to me.
Her gaze locks onto the FBI lettering on the center of my chest. “Is that a bulletproof vest?”
“Yes.”
Wearing protection is standard protocol when apprehending a violent criminal.
She grabs onto my forearms and peers up at me with pleading eyes. “Be careful, okay?”
“I will. I always am.” Attempting to ease her fear, I offer a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry about me.”
“I’ll try.” She cocks her head, scanning me head to toe, her expression turning playful. “By the way, you look hot in that.”
“You can take it off me later.”
Smirking, she releases me. “That sounds acceptable.”
“I could flirt with you all damn day, Lila. But I really need to hurry. My boss is pissed.”
She waves her hand toward the door. “Go on.”
I duck into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water for the road. “Keep the door locked and stay inside where you’re safe. I’ll be?—“
She interrupts, her fear having returned. “What about Kenzie?”
I freeze two steps from the front door. “What about her?”
Lila races to my side, grabbing my hand. “Well, the bulletproof vest and all your warnings have me worried. If you’re concerned aboutme, then it stands to reason she isn’t safe at our place either.”
Fuck.
As much as I’d like to answer with a resounding,who the fuck cares about Kenzie, I won’t. “I’ll call her on the way and tell her where to go.”
Lila puts her fists on her curvy hips. “Really, Reed?”
“Poor word choice. I’ll tell her to go somewhere safe or stay at home with the doors and windows locked.”
Her posture relaxes somewhat. “Thanks. I’m not ready to speak to her yet. We can deal with her about the other thing another time. I don’t want her to get hurt, though.”
“Agreed.” I caress Lila’s arm and kiss her on the forehead. “I have to leave now. Stay here where you’re safe. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
And then I’m gone.
TWENTY-NINE
This is what I get for snooping
LILA
Well,well, well.Here I am. Alone for an undetermined amount of time at Reed’s fancy-schmancy condo in downtown Tampa. All by my lonesome inside the personal sanctuary of the man I’ve been an itty-bitty obsessed with since I was old enough to know I had afunny feeling down therewhenever I looked at him. Yep. Only me and the home of the man who just told me he’s in love with me.
That’s where I find myself. Me and my idle hands.
Whatever shall I do to pass the time?
I know what you’re thinking.
