Page 49 of Protecting You
Callan took Alyssa’s hand and tucked it in his elbow. “We’d prefer to stay together.”
“I’m afraid that’s not going to work.” Ghazi managed a regretful tone. “Alyssa and I have some business to discuss.”
Callan scowled. “I’m not a corporate spy, man. I’m not here to learn all your secrets.”
“It’s all right.” Alyssa jumped in, just like a good fiancée should. “You go ahead and have a look around while Charles and I talk. You can join us after.” She focused on Ghazi. “Right?”
“Certainly.” He didn’t look away from Callan. “I only ask that you remain on the far side of the room while Alyssa works, so as not to accidentally see something you ought not to see.” He smiled, adding, “Of course I don't suspect you of anything.”
Callan had the strongest impression that he did, in fact, suspect Callan of something.
“I guess that’s okay”—turning to Alyssa—“as long as you’re sure you’ll be okay without me for a little bit.”
“Of course. Go on.” She sounded cool and confident.
“Not that I’d have a clue what you were doing.” Callan gave her a warm smile, then looked at Ghazi again. “I work with hardware. All that software stuff is”—he passed his hand a few inches above his scalp—“way over my head.”
Alyssa rose to her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “See you in a few.” She turned to Ghazi. “Lead the way.”
Ghazi gestured toward the staircase, and the two walked to the second floor, side by side.
Callan stared after her a few beats too long. Had she really just kissed him? Like it was nothing?
She would have made a great agent. She was good at pretending.
Even so, the thought of her stepping into dangerous situations made him feel ill.
The fact that she was inthisdangerous situation made him want to follow her and not let her out of his sight.
“This way, Mr. Thompson.”
He smiled at the guard playing the part of housekeeper—seemed everybody was playing a fictional role here. “This place is amazing. Have you worked here long? Did you like, come with the building, or did Mr. Sanders hire you? You must love it.”
He’d keep up a steady stream of ridiculous conversation. His goal was to act like he had no clue anything unusual was going on.
To convince Ghazi and his people that he wasn’t a threat.
Right up until the moment when he took them down.
CHAPTERELEVEN
On the second floor,Charlesled Alyssa to an office. The room was wider than it was deep with floor-to-ceiling windows along the back wall interrupted only by glass French doors in the center that led out to a narrow balcony overlooking a rear garden.
Bookshelves lined the wall to her right adjacent to the windows.
On one side of the room, an antique desk faced the door, a leather rolling chair behind it. The desk held three screens, angled toward the chair, which would block the view of whomever worked there from the rest of the room. Perhaps that was why the two nearby chairs were situated in front of the windows to the side of the desk instead of across from it.
On the opposite wall, a redbrick fireplace rose to the ceiling with built-in shelves on either side. A cozy-looking couch and two club chairs were arranged in a little seating area in front of it. There were a couple of tufted footrests and side tables that held vintage lamps. She could picture a tabby cat curled on the rag rug in front of the hearth, flames dancing merrily inside.
Under different circumstances, this library would be the perfect place to relax and read a book.
Sadly, Alyssa wouldn’t be doing much relaxing.
There was nothing personal, though. No photographs, though that made sense. This was a rental house, after all. But also, no open books. No pens or notepads. She imagined it looked exactly as it had when the decorator had drawn it up.
“This is a lovely space.”
“Indeed. I hoped you’d like it.” Charles closed the door. “The computer equipment is ready for you. I wasn’t sure what you’d need.” He gave her a self-effacing smile. “I should have asked. We had a few things lying around, and I sent my driver to the computer store to get what I didn’t already have. So the iMac is brand new. I hope we haven’t missed anything.”
