Page 111 of A Shot at Love
“Have they found anything?”
“Nothing of use other than confirmation about the account Bannerman found with Tiege’s wife’s name attached to it. If there is anything it’s buried so deep we may never find it. Tiege was assigned to the cybercrimes division for ten years before he was made SAC. He knew how to cover his virtual tracks well.”
“Can’t you ask Theo for help?”
He stared across the length of the sofa at her, his eyes half closed, his brows almost kissing. She’d give anything to know what he was thinking with a look like that.
“Unfortunately, I can’t. Not officially. And if I did it unofficially and he found something, I wouldn’t be able to use it since it wasn’t legally discovered. Lawyers love that phrase: fruit from the poisoned tree.”
“I thought privilege like that didn’t follow you once you were dead?”
“Typically, it doesn’t. But discovery from a non-agency source is grounds for survivors to contest. Possibly sue. The bureau doesn’t need that kind of headache.”
“Rock, meet hard place,” Gemma said.
One corner of Ky’s mouth kicked up. “My life for the past three years.”
He finished his beer, placed the glass back on the table, then scrubbed his hands down his face and yawned.
“Anyway. It’ll work itself out in time.” He turned to look directly at her again. “I didn’t come here to discuss all that with you.”
“Oh?” She tried to ignore the little stab to her heart. She’d hoped he was here because he missed her, realized he couldn’t live without her…loved her.
Wishful thinking.
“Do you want another beer?”
She rose, but Ky’s hand shot out to grab her arm.
“No.”
The touch sent an electrical frisson through her body. His long, strong fingers wound around her forearm, holding her in place. Gemma didn’t know whether to sit back down or stay rooted to her spot.
Ky solved the problem when he gently tugged on her arm and brought her down next to him.
He slid his hand down her arm to lace their fingers together. Utter warmth spread through her from head to toes.
“Gemma.”
Had her name ever sounded so sweet on any other man’s lips?
“We need to talk.”
Oh, God! Here it comes: the letdown, the brush off.
Historically, Gemma had been the one who always told the man she was with it was time to move on, that things were over between them. It was one of the ways she’d always been able to keep control of the relationship. She’d start it. And she’d end it. Her heart would remain unscathed.
But she couldn’t bear to hear the words come through Ky’s lips. It would break her in two.
“No, we don’t, Ky. It’s okay. I know what you’re going to say, and it’s okay. Really.”
The corrugated lines in his forehead deepened as he regarded her. “What do you think I’m going to say?”
Pride, ego, and self-preservation bounded through her. She wouldn’t let him see her come apart. Couldn’t let him know her real feelings. She needed to dig deep for that lifelong cord of control that she’d never needed more than she did right now.
“Gemma?”
She sighed and placed her free hand over his, patted it, like she would a child who needed reassurance. “Like I said, it’s okay. You don’t have to say it. We’re both grownups.”
“Just what is it you don’t think I need to say?”
“Ky.” She shrugged.
“No. Really, Gemma. I need you to tell me, because I sure as heck don’t know what you mean.”
“Oh, all right.” She tugged her hand from his, intending to stand and move away from him, but he wouldn’t let it go. In fact, when she pulled, he squeezed harder.
She took a deep breath and looked over his shoulder at the lamp next to the couch. She couldn’t look directly at him without coming undone.
“Look at me, Gemma.”
From any other man’s lips, that command would have sent her back shooting up straight as a pin. That she did exactly what he told her to in an instant was an indication of how much power he had over her.
“Baby, look at me.” His voice softened with the endearment and, God help her, tears threatened to drop.
