Page 9 of 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Forty-Two

“He’s right,” Ryan said as Damien nodded in silentagreement.

“Yes,” Francesca said. “I’m afraid he is.”

“That’s why I’m not walking away. It’s why you’re stuck withme and not Leah. But we will find out who’s behind this,” he said. “I promise.”

“I’m all for that,” Francesca said. “But I don’t see how.”

“That’s where the fun part comes in,” he said with a smirk.“You and I will be getting to know each other pretty wellover the next few days. Because we’re going to dig into your life. We’re goingto dig deep. And we’re going to figure out what it is that somebody thinks youknow.”

Chapter Three

“Try not to kill each other,” Ryan says as we lingerin the entryway by my front door. Matthew and Aaron left over an hour ago, andDamien left after kissing me lightly on the cheek and telling me not to worry.I said I’d try, but I’m making no promises.

“Just make sure you remember what an excellent client I am.And how much I’m willing to put up with,” I add, glancing over my shouldertoward Simon, who’s on the other side of the room leaning against the archwaythat separates the entry from the casual living area. “Think about that whenyou send my next bill.”

He chuckles. “I’ll keep it in mind. Seriously, though, I’vealready told Simon I expect daily reports, and I want to hear from you, aswell, and not just to bitch.”

I raise a brow. “But I have so muchto complain about.”

“He’s good, Frannie.”

“I believe you. I was joking.”

“I get that you two may rub each other the wrong waypersonally, but he’s on this assignment because both Damien and I trust that hecan keep you safe. And he’s right. He’s the best choice for the job. Promise.”

I smile. The one that flashes with real emotion. Not the oneI’ve practiced for photo ops. “I know. I agreed, right? And seriously, thanks.Tell Jamie congrats for me. She’s really taking off.”

Pride shines in his eyes as his own smile lights his face.“She really is. She was starting to believe she’d never land a starring role ina major movie, and now it’s about to start shooting.”

“But you never doubted.”

“No,” he agrees. “I never did. I have good instincts thatway.” He puts a hand on my shoulder. “Simon has good instincts, too. I wantyour word you’ll trust him.”

“I’m paying for those instincts, aren’t I? Of course, I’lltrust them.”

“Frannie…”

“Yes,” I say, without the crassness of cash mucking up mywords. “I will let the man do his job and keep me alive. But if he fails, I’mcoming back to haunt all of you.”

His cheek dimples with his smile. “I’ll keep that in mind.And Frannie, for God’s sake, if you think of something that might help, justtell him. Don’t overthink it. If he changes his mind and tells you that youneed to leave the con tomorrow, you do it. Remember, we’ll have a team there,backing him up. You’re covered, okay?”

“You’re just chattering to run up my hourly bill,” I tease,giving him a quick hug. “Now go.”

This time, he really does, and when I turn around afterclosing the door behind him, Simon is nowhere to be seen. Great. The moment I’m alone, my bodyguarddisappears.

I frown, fully intending to give Simon grief fordisappearing after fighting so hard to be the point guy. But then he stepsthrough the arch and walks toward me, looking for all the world like he ownsthe damn room.

“Where were you five seconds ago?”

“You were talking with Ryan. I made myself scarce. I thoughtyou might need a final moment to complain about me,” he adds, the corner of hislip twitching.

“You thought right,” I say, fighting my own laughter. Ihesitate, then clear my throat. “Listen, I get that we rub each other the wrongway. I’m not sure if it’s our personalities or the situation, but it’s thetruth. Even so, there is one thing we agree on—we don’t want me dead. Me forobvious reasons, and you because I’m sure you’d get ribbed at work if I end upa corpse.”

“Yes, the hazing would be unbearable. That’s definitely my primary motivation.”

I ignore him. “So let’s just latch on to our mutual desireto keep me breathing and go from there.”

He’s standing beside the round table that dominates themiddle of the entryway, and he takes four long steps toward me, which puts himclose enough that I can practically hear his heartbeat, and the proximity isdisconcerting.