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“I’M GOING TO LEAVE you,” Theo said as he cleaned up the breakfast dishes.
I was pleased to see that he’d accepted his domestic role without complaint, providing all the food and keeping the kitchen clean to boot. I wasn’t any kind of wifey, and even the thought of heating up meals that came from a can was too much for me. If Theo refused to play the part, I would have gone without food or eaten on my own when he wasn’t around.
But he seemed perfectly happy to cook an egg for breakfast, open a can of spaghetti for lunch, and microwave a TV dinner every night. We’d been holed up in the safehouse for two days and had ample time to play house.
The CIA reported back to me on the SIM card we’d taken from Jay’s phone. There was nothing on it. Whether he actually meant to call me, or if he was just giving me something to make me go away, I couldn’t be sure. We kept the phone charged and in plain sight in case there was a break, but so far, nothing.
I looked up, surprised to hear the words. It almost sounded like he was breaking up with me, and the parallels to a romantic relationship made me angry. Aside from a few encounters when one of us was in the shower and a few philosophical conversations late at night, there wasn’t anything remotely intimate about the time we spent together. At least that’s what I told myself.
It was easier to hate Theo than to think I was falling for him. I’d made that mistake once with Ryan and I promised myself that if I ever fell in love again, the dude would be an accountant or a librarian. He would have some safe and stable job, and I would never have to worry about him being in the line of fire. That, or I would just remain celibate for the rest of my life. Apart from sleeping with marks, I didn’t need a man to make me feel whole. I had myself, and that’s all that really mattered.
“I’d like to point out that I am not injecting you with any foreign substance or in any way forcing you to remain behind,” Theo continued, making it seem like he was doing me a favor. “I’ll be back in a few hours, and I’ll explain everything then.”
“You got some new intel?” I asked, ignoring his declaration of superiority.
“I do,” he replied. “And I will explain everything. I’m asking you nicely to allow me to go out on my own.”
I sighed. When he put it like that, it would seem horribly unreasonable for me to argue. I nodded my acceptance of his proposal, pretending to busy myself by cleaning my gun. I could have sworn he smiled before walking out the door and cursed him under my breath. That man was getting under my skin, and I didn’t like it. I didn’t need any new friends, and the thought of actually trusting him was too horrible to contemplate. Trust led to sorrow, and I didn’t know if I could survive another major loss.
I heard the car engine start and felt the rumble of the tires as the vehicle pulled away. To keep myself busy, I did a basic workout. I didn’t want to go outside to jog and risk some nosy neighbor spotting me. Instead, I did jumping jacks and yoga in the middle of the living room, focusing my energy.
After an hour of hard work, I concluded with a good twenty minutes of meditation. It helped to clear my mind and calm the anxiety that Theo’s behavior had caused. He seemed determined to break through the wall I’d carefully erected around my heart. With his gentle questions and agreeable nature, he was slowly chipping away at the very things that kept me safe. By focusing on my breathing and allowing my mind to clear, I realized that no matter how close he got, I would be okay.
I took a shower and changed into sweatpants before going into the bedroom to make the bed. When my back was turned, I heard a different car pull up to the front porch. Suspecting that it was merely Theo, I reached for my gun anyway. A girl couldn’t be too careful, and I wasn’t going to be caught off guard.
I heard the front door open, and from the tread of the shoes on the floor, I was positive it was Theo. Identifying people by their movements wasn’t something taught at the academy; it came from years of experience in the field. People moved differently when they were trying to be quiet, and the person in the living room acted like he belonged. I could also tell a general size and weight from the protests of the floorboards, and they matched with what I knew about my partner.
So when the door to the bedroom opened and Theo appeared beside me, I wasn’t surprised. I lowered the gun back to the bedside table and turned to face him. About to demand the update that he’d promised me, I noticed that he was carrying a large cardboard box. He set it down on the bed and stood back, pleased with himself.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Open it,” he demanded.
I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. I hadn’t asked for a gift, and I didn’t particularly want the responsibility that came with accepting generosity. But I couldn’t help being moved by his goofy smile. He was like an overgrown kid in that moment, delivering something that he was sure I would appreciate.
I opened the box to find it full of folded blue silk. Reaching for the fabric, I held it up to inspect it. Two straps fell loose, identifying it as a very expensive gown, fit for a state dinner or some other equally exclusive event.
“I picked it up in town,” Theo said. “We’re going to a gala tonight. Vinny’s going to be there, and we’re attending as an affluent couple from London. How’s your British accent?”
“Fine,” I quipped, not giving him the pleasure of hearing me try it out. I could do accents from a variety of different locations throughout the globe, but I didn’t need to prove myself. My American accent would do until the event, when I would seamlessly transition to full cover.
“Try it on,” Theo suggested.
I almost wanted to deny him the pleasure, but the gown spoke to me. “Get out,” I snapped, pushing him toward the door.
“A thank you might be warranted,” he replied, walking backward into the hall.
“Thank you,” I allowed, shutting the door between us.
I turned to the dress, sliding the baggy sweatpants off and replacing them with the delicate folds. I examined myself in the full-length mirror that was attached to the back of the door. As always, I looked good enough to kill. An undeniable thrill raced through me as I stepped out into the living room to show myself off. I actually wanted Theo to appreciate how good I looked, and I would have been disappointed if he failed to compliment me.
I didn’t have to worry.
“You look beautiful,” he said.
My heart squeezed at his choice of words. He hadn’t said “hot” or “amazing,” or any number of other things that would indicate an interest in getting me naked. Instead, he opted for a high-class compliment that made me feel like he actually cared.
“Wear your hair down,” he continued.
“I work better with it up,” I informed him.
“I like it down,” he argued.
“What are you going to wear?” I asked, shifting the focus from me to him because he made me uncomfortable.
“Right,” he exclaimed, moving past me to pick up another box from where he’d stashed it on the kitchen island.
I perched on the edge of the couch, not wanting to wrinkle the dress. It was the kind of thing designed for slow dancing, and for making a statement when I entered a room. Not the kind of thing you lounged around on a crummy couch in.
Theo didn’t take too long to get changed. And he surprised me once again with his choice of an exquisite, tailored suit. “When did you have the time to get that made?” I demanded.
“I called it in yesterday,” he informed me. “Do you like it?”
I had to admit, his appearance was stunning. Not only did he look like a million bucks, but he managed to show off his well-developed form at the same time. His clean shave from the morning displayed his rock-hard chin, proving that he was more man than most women could handle. And he was all mine, at least for the time being.
“Shall we?” he asked, offering me an elbow.
I considered blowing past him and marching straight out to the car, but something about his posture held me back. We were supposed to be husband and wife, and I couldn’t ignore that kernel of actual affection between us. Far from ignoring it, I knew I would have to nurture it in order to play our part. So I wrapped my hands around his elbow and allowed him to lead me to the car.
Out in the driveway, I was stunned to find a sleek blue Ferrari. The seats were so low and the body so aerodynamic it was sure to draw the eye. But that was the point. Our cover was a rich couple, and what better way to nail the illusion home than with an extravagant sports car?
“Where’d you get this?” I asked.
The cars I was used to boosting had nowhere near the resale value and no discernable security features. If Theo stole this bad boy, there was likely to be an entire troop of police officers on the lookout.
“Compliments of MI6,” Theo said, opening the door to the passenger side.
“I’m driving,” I said.
“No sweetheart,” he replied easily. “You’re not listed on the insurance.”
“Hm,” I grunted, sliding in and pulling the dress with me so that my “husband” could shut the door.
He seemed pleased with himself as he took a seat beside me, pressing the keyless ignition and revving the motor. I watched him tease the engine with his foot on the pedal before releasing the parking brake and flying backward out of the driveway.
“You’re a speed demon!” I laughed. “I never would have guessed.”
“If you put anyone behind this wheel, I’d wager they would do the same,” Theo said, sounding rowdy and proper all at the same time. It was a distinctly British accomplishment and one that I intended to mirror at the gala. Of course, women were expected to be far more cultured, but I could pepper in a few choice words if I was careful.
I relaxed into the seat back for just a moment, realizing that I was actually enjoying myself. It had been far too long. I operated on coffee and adrenaline in my relentless pursuit of revenge. I nursed a broken heart to keep me safe from more emotional pain. But for just one moment, going at warp speed in the flashy little car, I felt free.
