“I don’t,” Claire retorted, back to herself now that she knew things were okay. “It was Gecko I was concerned about. He’s irreplaceable. I knew Marc could take care of you.”
Ryan threw back his head and laughed. “I’m so flattered. But don’t worry. We never made it inside the building. And Gecko was safely stashed inside my jacket. He’s in A-plus shape—just like me.”
“He’s not nearly as arrogant.”
“True. But he’s not as hot, either.”
“Debatable,” Claire quipped. Then she grew sober. “They were giving Morano a message.”
“Yup. A pretty direct one.”
“The same one they gave Paul Everett, no doubt. The question is, who are ‘they’ and do they plan on making a similar disappearing act happen to Morano?”
“Any signs from the universe?” Ryan teased.
“None,” Claire answered seriously. “I wish I had one. Maybe it would lead us to Paul Everett faster.”
“You’re still convinced he’s alive?”
“Definitely.”
“So am I.” Ryan shrugged out of his parka as he spoke. “This kind of thing smacks of the mob. But where does Lyle Fenton fit in?”
“I don’t know. But he plays a major part in this convoluted puzzle. The negative energy surrounding him is so strong, I could barely pick up on anything else with him in the room.” A pause. “Are you sure that you and Marc are okay?”
“Never better. Marc’s a pro when it comes to this stuff. He got us out of there like a black ops mission.”
Another pause. “I know Marc’s used to seeing arson and every other kind of violence there is. But you’re not. You’re shaken. That’s to be expected, Ryan—even for someone as cocky and egotistical as you.”
Ryan started to laugh. “Is that your way of saying you care, Claire-voyant?”
“Yes, you obnoxious pain in the ass, it is.”
A split second of silence. Ryan wasn’t laughing anymore.
“Thanks,” he finally said, with no trace of banter. “I appreciate your worrying about me. But I’m fine. Honest. A little weirded out, but fine. Nothing a hot shower and a good night’s sleep won’t fix.”
“Then I’ll let you get both. Tell Marc to do the same. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Claire?” Ryan interrupted.
“Yes?”
This pause was a long one. “See you tomorrow.”
He disconnected the call, staring at his BlackBerry for a moment, eyebrows knit.
“Oh, for God’s sake, when are you going to stop being an asshole and do something about it?” Marc’s question sliced the silence.
“What?” Ryan’s head snapped up. He’d almost forgotten Marc was in the room, he’d been so preoccupied.
“You heard me. But if you need it spelled out, fine. You want Claire. You’ve wanted her since the day you met her. So stop doing this moronic dance and go for it. If it works out, great. If it doesn’t, you can go back to killing each other.”
Ryan shot Marc a look. “I don’t need lessons in hooking up with women from you.”
“Clearly, you do.” Marc stripped off his jacket and sweater and grabbed the gym bag that had his change of clothes. “I’m going in the shower. I’ll use up the hot water. That way, you can get the cold shower you so desperately need.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN