to her stomach. She covered her face and sighed, a million terrible thoughts flying through her brain. Maybe.
That was the most terrible thought of all. She squeezed her eyes tightly closed.
“Anna,” he said softly.
She opened her eyes and met his gaze, not sure what to say, what to do. But as the silence stretched out, she realized what she had to say. The unvarnished truth. “Yes, I did it to manipulate you and your team, to hide my cover. And yes, I did it to affect you personally, so that I could have you the way I wanted you. So yes, manipulation for everyone. Those aren’t very good reasons. So, I’m sorry. But part of it was my job, part of it was Max, and a lot of it was my wounded pride.”
He paused for a moment, then said, low and vehemently, “I don’t think anyone really knows you, Anna. Me included. I had no idea you were…”
“A broken, egocentric bitch?”
He chuckled, meeting her gaze patiently, without judgment. His response humbled her, and she was getting a little hope back. “No.”
“Then what?”
“Badarse. I had no idea you were so badarse.” He leaned forward. “If Max saw you today like I saw you, there would be no doubt in his mind that you, his baby sister, can hold her own and kick some major arse. The way you’ve been figuring all this out is brilliant. I’m blown away daily by you.”
“Are you buttering me up for a but?” She was past hoping here.
There was a strained pause, then he said, “No buts, Anna. Maybe we both have some mistaken perceptions and things to learn about each other, yeah?” The corner of his mouth lifted a little.
She managed a small smile in return. She gazed at him, wanting so much to touch him, but she forced another smile instead. She wrestled with a dozen emotions as he reached across the table and clasped her hands. And she had to believe that one small gesture meant something.
She touched his arm. “If you had given me a chance to tell you back at the riverbank, I would have said that I understand what we do and why we do it. It’s us or them and we’re working for the greater good. At least, for us it’s the greater good.” She sighed. “What I’m trying to say is I think you’re amazing. What you do is dark, fierce, and ruthless. If I hadn’t been attracted to you before, I would have been then. The way you move, fight, like a dancer is beautiful in its own way. The lives we lead are stark and dangerous and have no room for error. Thanks for saving my life.”
“So, next time don’t jump to conclusions,” he said with a smile.
“Yeah, tough guy.”
There was no more time for this conversation as musical bells tinkled out ten chimes. It was time to go.
They rose and headed toward the building. Once inside, they located the Klimmer painting, but there was no way to get close to it with guards milling about. Finally, Anna feigned a fall, clutching her knee as Dodger, using the concern of everyone in the gallery to give him a moment to look, checked behind the painting.
When he shook his head, she was surprised, but resolute. It had to be here. She was confident no one else had figured this out yet.
The guard asked her if she wanted him to call an ambulance, but she smiled and waved him off. “Please. Just help me to the bench. I’m already feeling much better.”
The bench was next to a tall support column. He helped her to walk and she sat down. Dodger came over and sat down next to her. “I’m going to get something to drink. Do you want anything?”
She shook her head. He left. God, she was exhausted. She leaned against the column, and something moved at her shoulder. She looked at the brick pillar and realized that was a foundation.
Once everyone was back to their own business and had forgotten about her, she reached over and pried off the stone.
Tucked inside was the iPad.
She slipped the iPad into her pocket and rose as Dodger sauntered toward her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw those three Czech guys.
Too late, she thought as she reached Dodger. When they looked in their direction, she grabbed him around the neck and kissed him, effectively hiding her face. She loved the way his mouth went soft and pliant beneath