Page 8 of Protecting You
“I haven’t found it yet, and when I do, I certainly won’t be telling you.”
Callan laughed, though he felt no humor. He shifted close to whisper, “It’s national security, darling.”
She ducked away and shot a glare.
They reached Hereford Street and turned.
“When we get to your place, you can tell me all about him.”
“I don’t know what you think is going to happen…”
Callan kissed the top of her head. “He’s a terrorist.”
“And there’s zero chance you’re wrong? You’re that confident?”
“Correct.”
She bristled. If she were a porcupine, he’d be headed to the ER.
“Fine. I’ll just return his money and?—”
“It’s too late.”
“You don’t know that.”
“We’ll see. My guess is it’s too late for that. We’re just going to have to wing it.”
“I’m not exactly awing-itkind of woman.”
“You’ll learn.”
They crossed Commonwealth Avenue. Halfway down the block, Alyssa climbed the steps in front of an old brownstone.
He waited until she’d unlocked the exterior door, then followed her into the lobby. Small, octagonal black-and-white tiles stretched across the floor beneath gleaming woodwork and freshly painted cream-colored walls.
It wasn’t fancy, certainly not compared with the five-star restaurant where they’d just eaten, but it was out of his price range.
It was also too quiet. He assumed there was at least one listening device.
He followed her up the winding staircase.
“I have an idea.” His voice was bright and enthusiastic. “Let’s get out of the city for a couple of days. Take a weekend away.”
At the landing between the floors, she turned to glare. “I have a job to do.”
He nodded forward, telling her to keep going. “You can bring your laptop, darling. I can share you, a little.”
“No.” Though the staircase wound upward three more flights, she stopped on the second story and headed to the apartment straight ahead. She pulled out her keys to unlock the door.
A thump came from inside.
He gripped her arm. “Do you have a roommate?”
She shook her head, eyes wide.
He urged her back toward the stairway. “Up,” he hissed. “Go up.”
Without watching to make sure she did, he focused on the apartment. He was about to go in when a man barreled out, straight into Callan.
