“Could have been a hundred and fifty, though, maybe. If you’d learned to play to your weaknesses as well as you play to your strengths.” I hold up a hand, cutting her off before she can protest again. “This isn’t just my opinion. Blaire and Neville both agreed you have a hard time letting your guard down—or even faking vulnerability convincingly. And that’s a liability for higher-level operative work as well as coordinating large operations and people with different personalities and communication styles. You’re drawing unnecessary attention to yourself and creating interpersonal problems with this ‘little girl, big attitude’ thing.”
Her eyes are slits now.
Slits that smoke at the edges as she whispers, “Call me a little girl again. I dare you.”
I resist the urge to reach for the doorknob behind me—to be sure I’m ready to run if necessary. “I’m not saying these things to piss you off, Alexandra. I’m trying to help you. Not only help but also offer you a chance to prove Blaire and Neville wrong.”
She remains still and dangerously quiet.
I remain poised to flee for my life.
I’ve seen video of Zan in combat training. She’s a double black belt in Krav Maga. Her body is a loaded weapon, and I’m presently defenseless against her.
Because I refuse to lay a hand on her.
No matter what. Not even to defend myself.
I have never struck a member of my family—or family-by-marriage—and I don’t intend to start now. I’d like to believe Zan feels the same way, but I’ve learned that what I’d like to believe and what I should believe aren’t always the same thing.
My father taught me that when he abandoned our family when I was just a boy. I wanted to believe he was coming back; that one morning, I’d wake up, and Dad would be crouched by my bed with a big smile on his face, asking if I want to go for one of our sunrise bike rides around the castle grounds. But he never did.
My father stayed away, and I grew up knowing the only promises I can count on are the ones I make myself.
And I’ve promised myself I won’t hurt Zan.
Not even if she hurts me first.
Thankfully, however, she doesn’t lash out, and when she says, “All right, tell me more,” her voice is soft and controlled.
I take a deep breath and spill it all—every detail of my master plan to prove our bosses wrong, bring down Stefano DeLuca, and put Zan in the perfect position to be promoted this spring.
When I’m finished, I expect a barrage of questions.
Challenges to my strategy.
Holes poked in my hope balloon that I’ll have to patch up before the air leaks out.
Instead, she says, “Aren’t you throwing yourself a party in early January? In Baden-Bergen?”
“Yes, but we’ll be back in Gallantia long before the sixth.”
Her brows lift. “We’re taking down a crime ring in ten days? Just the two of us?”
“Absolutely.” I bob a shoulder. “Unless we finish early and want to pop home sooner. But Bali is lovely this time of year. We should enjoy some R and R on the beach afterward if we have time. I could teach you how to surf.”
“Thanks, but I’ll need to get back to Zurich by then,” she says, followed by a curt nod. “Fine. I’m in. On one condition.”
“What’s that?” I brace myself for a potentially deal-breaking demand.
So far, this has been easier than expected. Zan’s being almost…reasonable, which isn’t something I’ve seen much of in my personal experience with her.
“We keep our families out of it,” she says. “They don’t see us leave together, and we make sure my sisters never find out we spent time alone in an island paradise. If they do, they’ll jump to the wrong conclusions, and I’ll never be able to convince them I didn’t bang you on the beach.” She rolls her eyes. “And I don’t even want to imagine the fallout from that.”
“Done,” I agree. “Believe me, I don’t want my brothers to find out, either. They’d strangle me on your behalf. They’re very protective of your sisters and, by extension, you and wouldn’t want you to fall in with a…”
I trail off, but there’s no point in leaving the obvious unsaid. I am who I am, and up to this point, that hasn’t been a man who’s had successful long-term encounters with the fairer sex.
“Well, by a relationship failure,” I add sheepishly. “Like, um…me.”
She smiles. “They have absolutely nothing to worry about. I’m not looking for a relationship.” She claps me on the shoulder as she reaches past me for the door. “And I find you repulsive. No offense.”
She’s halfway across the room before I process the insult.
When I do, I bite back the challenge on the tip of my tongue.
I would bet my right hand Zan enjoyed our kiss, but that’s neither here nor there. I’m not out to prove Zan wants to jump my bones or to confess I’d love to jump hers.