He smiled slightly, but then it disappeared. He studied her so intently she was certain he would tell her he knew she was lying, haul her to some Delta family torture chamber, and have them dissect her brain for information.
“Your secrets are safe,” he said.
“Oh … thank you.” She had no clue what to think or feel at this moment. If she didn’t know he was Greer Delta, she’d be intrigued and interested in him. But she did know, and that couldn’t change. The fact that he’d killed Travis couldn’t change.
A sudden flash of doubt filled her. What if the Voice was wrong? What if it wasn’t Greer that had killed Travis? What if the Voice was lying? He had been right about Travis dying and the Navy saying he was AWOL. Was he right about Greer? Her head ached with all the questions and confusion.
He nodded, his lips in a firm line as he studied her. Looking for chinks in her armor, or was there a possibility he was attracted to her? No. She couldn’t let herself feel an attraction to him.
“I’m about ready to pass out and I’ve got a headache. Can you show me where I’ll be sleeping?”
His gaze deepened. He’d agreed she could stay until it was safe. Why did it feel like she was pushing her way into his home and his life? Maybe because she was.
“Sure.”
He nodded and turned, gesturing for her to walk in front of him. He was too much of a gentleman. It fit with what the Voice had said, but it sure didn’t fit with him being a cold-hearted killer. She shivered.
“Cold?” he asked. The concern in his deep voice sent a weird shiver through her. How did she explain she wasn’t cold? She was completely out of her element, an emotional mess, and she wanted to hate his guts. Instead, she was drawn to him and completely confused by who or what he really was.
“No,” she managed.
She walked up the garage steps and into a mudroom with an attached laundry and bathroom. White cabinets with gray and white swirled granite made for a bright, clean look.
He slipped off his boots and took off his cowboy hat, self-consciously brushing at his matted-down hair. It was odd to see him without the hat and in stocking-feet. It made him more approachable but also was too intimate. She looked away quickly. She could not let her mind go down forbidden paths like being intimate with Greer Delta.
“Excuse me,” he murmured.
He walked into the bathroom and shut the door. Emery’s shoulders lowered, and she felt like she could finally let her guard down. The water turned on, so she assumed he was washing his hands from being out doing chores or he was running water so she wouldn’t hear him pee. She laughed out loud at that. As if Greer Delta would care what someone thought of him. He seemed far too tough and comfortable in his own skin.
Did he regret killing her brother?
That thought stopped her laughter. She shivered again and hugged herself. In the home of the growling Greer. She’d done it. She’d penetrated his evil lair. Now how to figure out where this secret weapon was so she could “bug out” like the voice had said and let the real soldiers do their job. She had no idea where to start. Break into his computer? Ask him? Sneak into his room at night and see if he sleep-talked or if she could find his phone, hold it up to his face, and read through all his info? One thing was certain: she wouldn’t arm wrestle it out of him.
The water shut off and the door opened. Her breath rushed out like somebody had punched her. She had to keep reminding herself this wasn’t a man she could trust or like. The problem was he radiated trustworthiness, like the most appealing boy scout you’d ever meet. And he seemed thoughtful and underspoken, which wasn’t a word, but she liked those qualities. Especially as she often rushed ahead and spoke too much.
“Wash up?” he asked.
It was funny how he didn’t waste any words. She stared at him. “You don’t talk much, do you?”
He shook his head.
“That’s nice. I can talk enough for the both of us.”
He smiled at that.
She hurried through the bathroom door so she didn’t do something crazy like touch him. It was bad enough that she’d smiled at him, laughed with him, and thought he was attractive.
Greer Delta was the enemy. She had to remember that.
But for some insane reason, he didn’t feel like the enemy. That scared her as much as anything.
She turned the water on so she could pee without him hearing her. It made her laugh. Oh my, she was either on the verge of a breakdown or had entered an alternate reality.