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The only problem is, being away from civilization provides yet another risk.
“Cole?” I keep my attention on the other side of the tinted windows as we cross the Willamette River and merge onto the I-85. “Where are we going?”
“It isn’t far. And we won’t be alone. There will be witnesses to ensure your safety.”
His attempt at reassurance doesn’t hit its mark. I’m not going to let him lull me into a false sense of security.
“I remember at one point you said I could choose the time and location.”
“Yes. I did.” The flirtation leaves his voice. “But the situation has changed. Things are more complicated now.”
“They are?” I turn to him, his eyes immediately meeting mine as I frown in feigned confusion. “How so?”
He keeps staring at me, keeps attempting to read what I try to hide. The taunting expression has vanished and what greets me now is nothingness. No seduction. No arrogance. He’s reined it all in.
“We’ve had our fun, Anissa. Now it’s time to get down to business.”
My brows raise at the change in gears. “You mean you’re ready to tell me about your father’s escape?”
His detox from humor doesn’t shift. Nothing but hard severity stares back at me. “I’m going to be up-front and explain, with all honesty, that I have no valuable information to give you in relation to that matter. I wasn’t included in his plans.”
Bullshit.
Bull. Shit.
I don’t fucking believe him. I never will. Not on this.
I keep my frustration under wraps, unwilling to divert from my plan. Cool, calm, charismatic. That’s the way it’s gotta be. I’m determined to match his demeanor every step of the way. He can set the tone, but it won’t stop me from laying the trap.
“Then why am I here?” I ask.
He takes another drink and returns to swirling the liquid inside the glass. “Because we both want the same thing.”
My mind works overtime while I attempt to work out his meaning.
Is he thinking what I think he’s thinking? Does he believe his flirtation is enough to seduce an FBI agent?
Oh, hell no.
“If you’re talking about—” I shudder at the mere thought.
If he has the misconception that my panties are melting because of his bad-boy reputation, he’s going to get a rude awakening. I’d prefer to commando roll from this moving vehicle and aim for the tires of the next oncoming truck than have sex with him.
“No, I’m not talking about fucking.” A half-hearted grin breaks his seriousness. “But if it’s at the forefront of your mind, maybe we should get it out of the way.”
I scoff.
Well, it’s more of a sputter.
He is not going to get the better of me. I’m not going to break character. “What do we both want, Cole?”
Cool, calm, charismatic.
Those three words will be imprinted on my brain before the end of the night.
His grin kicks up again, the flicker slight before it fades to nothingness. He breaks the potent fix of our stare and focuses out the window, detaching from the conversation.
Usually, he’s fully engaged. Yet, tonight he seems distracted.
He’s such an accomplished actor I’m not sure what to believe.
He keeps building the tension to the point where it crackles in the space between us before a sudden detox. There’s always so much push and pull. A tedious game of tug-of-war I keep succumbing to.
He lets out a huff of exhaustion. “Neither one of us wants to see another abduction.”
It takes all my control not to drop the civil act and loudly voice a call of bullshit right in his deceptive face. With this man, I swear I could call it over and over, but it wouldn’t stop the lies falling from his lips. Everything he says is fiction. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t aware of reality anymore.
“Are you referring to the women you knew nothing about a few hours ago?” I contemplate taking the drink he offered. Safety be damned. I’m going to need it to get through a meal if I’m already struggling in the limo ride.
“Yes. I’ve since been informed.”
For a moment, I hear static. There’s no traffic. Not even the subtle crunch of asphalt. Only a
“You want to help?” My question holds a hint of incredulity, the friendly charade temporarily faltering. I can’t help mentally inching toward his trap. I know it’s there. He’s baiting me, and it’s tempting to take a hearty bite.
“You judge me too harshly,” he mutters. “I’m not the man you think I am.”
Doubtful.
Very doubtful.
“I didn’t know anything about the abductions until you mentioned it.” He fixes me with narrowed eyes. “Apparently, I’ve been more distracted than I thought.”
“Now all of a sudden you’re informed?”
“That’s right.” He nods. “My sources have given me substantial information that I’m happy to pass on. But now that I think about it, I’m not sure it will do you any good seeing as though you’re on leave.” He delivers the provocation with a straight face, even though I’m sure he’s delighting in my situation.
“How many days until you can return to the office, Ms. Fox?”
“I’m sure you already know, Mr. Torian.”
His breathy chuckle brushes my senses, tattooing my ears. But it’s the allure of intel that sends my pulse higher.
I focus on settling my eagerness and strive to hear the deception. The manipulation. I try so fucking hard to work out his next trick, when all I want is a clue to help those women.
“You’re right.” He finishes the liquid in his glass. “It seems I’ve spent more time being informed about you than anything else.”
“Should I be flattered?”
He shrugs. “I’m confused to be honest. Who would’ve thought an aggressive FBI agent would be so entertaining?”
“Maybe it’s your inability to break me that holds the allure. You’ve probably never met a woman you couldn’t walk over.”
“Anything can be broken. But I didn’t agree to tonight to continue our fun-filled arguments. I’m here for my own reasons.”
“Which are?”
Those deep eyes slowly turn back to the window, and for a moment, I wonder if he’s striving for sympathy.
“I don’t appreciate being labelled a sex trafficker. I don’t appreciate that word being used in conjunction with my family at all. I need the judgment to stop.”
The statement is more bait.
More taunting, tempting, teasing bait.
I can’t bite.
I couldn’t care less about his reputation. It’s the convincing reasoning that holds my interest. If he would’ve claimed to care about the welfare of those women, I would’ve known he was lying.
Now, I’m not so sure.
“I’m capable of many things, Cole, but I don’t think changing your reputation is one of them.”
“You wouldn’t have to. If I share this insight with you, an arrest will be made. I only need you to withhold any ties it has to my family.”
I can’t do that.
I won’t.
But I’m willing to lie to get what I want.
“Okay…” Hope grows wings inside my chest, the gentle flutters increasing the need for oxygen. “Go ahead. I’m listening.”
“Not in here. We need to discuss this somewhere neutral and out of listening distance from anyone likely to eavesdrop.”
Seclusion. That’s what he’s aiming for. “Are you saying your own driver can’t be trusted?”
“It’s not him I’m worried about. I don’t believe you’re careless enough to meet me without backup, and you should know I’m the same. We need somewhere we can both feel comfortable to speak openly.”
His assumption about my carelessness is incorrect. I’ve gone above and beyond stupidity by meeting Cole without informing anyone. I wasn’t going to shoot an e-mail to Taggert. And I didn’t want Easton to know I broke my promise.