Dark and Deadly 00 - Secrets Exposed by Lisa Renée Jones Read Free Book Online Page B

averted her gaze. “I was thinking I would do some field investigating tomorrow. We don’t have time for someone else to do it. I’ll hit the streets bright and early.”
    “ We’ll hit the streets,” he said, drawing her gaze. “You aren’t going without me. This is a murder investigation, remember?”
    “I don’t need a bodyguard,” she said with irritation lacing her words. “I make my living protecting others.”
    He held up a finger. “Did you ever go out into the field alone while you were investigating a violent crime?”
    She fidgeted in her chair. “Well . . .”
    “Exactly. I’ll pick you up in the morning. Write down your address for me. It’s that or I’m hiring a buddy of mine to do the field work.”
    “We don’t have time for someone else to get up and running.”
    Mark’s tone was confident. “Royce Walker doesn’t need time to get up and running.”
    “Royce Walker, as in the state security liaison?”
    Mark grinned. “Yep, the one and only.”
    “I still think I can do a better job in less time.”
    He shrugged. “Then you will have to put up with me tagging along.”
    Lindsey grimaced but wrote down her address and phone number. “If you get lost, call me.”
    He gave her a ‘you’re-kidding’ look. “I won’t get lost.”
    “Of course not. Not Mark Reeves,” she mocked.
    Mark ignored her. “Nine o’clock.”
    She nodded her agreement. “Lose the suit,” she said pointing to his jacket.
    Mark stood up and started to take off his jacket.
    “Stop!” Lindsey shouted. “What are you doing?”
    “You said lose the suit,” he said, playfully dumbfounded.
    “You knew what I meant,” she insisted. “Don’t wear a suit for the field work.”
    He frowned. “You sure? I’ll be happy to lose it now.” Amusement danced in his eyes.
    She harrumphed. He rubbed his hand on his jaw. “What does that mean?”
    Her brows went up. “Nothing,” She paused a second. “Not really. I just didn’t see you having a sense of humor, that’s all.”
    He wasn’t sure he liked that. In fact, he knew he didn’t. He sat back down. “Let’s back up here. Your early assessment didn’t seem very flattering. Do you mind telling me exactly what you thought of me?”
    She studied his sexy brown eyes, wondering what parts of her first impression she should share. “You know they call you a cobra in the courtroom. I thought they were right.”
    “I see.” His words were long and drawn out. “A cobra.”
    He picked up the Williams file and started flipping through it, not one bit pleased. He’d put his life on hold to help a woman who thought he was a damn snake.
    Lindsey frowned. “Mark?”
    “Yes?” he said, without looking up from the file.
    She reached out and touched his arm. Heat shot up his arm. His eyes lifted to hers. He was losing his freaking mind. No woman impacted him like this. He looked at her lips. Kissing her was on his mind.
    “I was only teasing you about the cobra stuff, just because of the reputation you have. I admire you for your achievements. I told my father he was wrong about you.”
    He wasn’t sure what to do with this new information. She’d talked to Edward about him. “I turned down your offer. Why would you defend me?”
    She gave him a rueful smile. “Believe it or not, aside from the Hudson mess, I have always been a good judge of character. Just because you ticked me off doesn’t mean you’re a bad person. That’s just one of the many differences between my father and me. He can’t separate the two. Besides,” she added, “if there’s a cobra around, I want him on my side.” She playfully poked his arm.
    He smiled. Then, before he could respond, she added, suddenly serious, “I do appreciate you coming back, even if it isn’t exactly on the terms I had hoped for.”
    “So,” Mark said in a slow, playful voice. “How much do you appreciate it?”
    She eyed him. “What?”
    “How much do you appreciate me being here?” He