He stood a few inches away, one hand hooked over her door. “We only have three days to plan and execute a high stakes recovery.”
“I’m aware of our timeline.”
“Then you understand it would be best for you to stay here. With your son.”
“What? No. I have other cases that need my attention besides this one.”
“You can coordinate them from here.”
“It’s not that easy—”
“Our maintenance manager has a daughter similar in age to Brodie. They can hang out while you work.”
“He has school.”
“Nowadays, we have the ability to do remote everything.”
“We’re not staying here.”
He leaned in closer. “Afraid you’ll be tempted again?”
“Hardly. The mystery is gone.” She forced indifference into her features when she scanned his body from head to toe. “I’ve seen everything you have to offer.”
“Ah, but you’ve only sampled two—or was it three—items from the menu.” The back of his finger smoothed down a stray lock of her hair. “You didn’t stay long enough for dessert last time.”
She shuffled back until her calves hit the door frame. “I’m not bringing my son into this den of thieves.”
“Recovery artists.”
“You can pretty it up all you want, but we both know you’re nothing but thieves for hire.” Liv nearly flinched at her own words, but this…man and his gall.
He stiffened. “We’re also the ones who are going to save the FBI’s ass because you don’t have the stomach to do what needs to be done.”
“It’s called breaking the law, Zeke. Something I’m sworn to protect.”
“A little blackmail is okay, though. It’s only mildly offensive to your sensibilities.”
“What’s offensive to my sensibilities is you betraying my trust and deciding where my son will sleep.”
Something like regret flashed through his eyes before they hardened into resolve. “I took a page out of your book and gave my team the information they needed to make an informed decision. I’d say I’m sorry, but it would be a lie, because given the same set of circumstances, I’d do the same thing again.”
Backed into her own net, she stewed in silence.
“As for Brodie, what boy wouldn’t enjoy staying here for a few days?”
Liv scanned the heavily wooded property. A place a curious child could explore for hours. Unfortunately, her son had pulled the plug on all outdoor activity.
In a low, calmer voice, he said, “Find out why the doll is so important to the CI and report back here tomorrow.”
“And if I don’t?”
“You can explain to Ash why he has to find himself a new job.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Oh, I would.” He waved toward her bag. “What your files on us evidently didn’t uncover was that Ash walked out on the family business three years ago and left me to deal with the aftermath. I owe him nothing.”
Liv digested this bit of family intrigue, which explained the undercurrent of tension between the two brothers at the FBI office. Realizing any further discussion would only lead to more harsh, unproductive words, she slid into the driver’s seat. She nodded at the hand he still had locked on her door. “Do you mind?”
He splayed his hand and stepped back, allowing her to shut the door.
As she backed out of her parking spot, he said, “Don’t forget your kid and suitcase tomorrow.”