The One Who Got Away (Wilde Ways #12) - Cynthia Eden Page 0,70

worried. Quite the opposite, in fact. “What do you think Antony will do? When you found out his secrets, you were so angry that you ran away.”

“I didn’t run because I was angry.”

“No? You weren’t angry? Ah, my mistake.”

Smart-ass. “Fine. I was angry. He’d lied to me, but I ran for another reason.”

“Care to enlighten me?”

“Not particularly.” She peered out the passenger window. “Your music selection sucks, by the way. Can we play something else?”

He laughed. A real, actually amused sound. Then the laughter faded. “I didn’t count on what happened between the two of you.”

She fought to keep her cool. Her stomach was doing somersaults, but she would not let Dex know. Just as she hadn’t let him know how intimidated she’d been to meet him the first time their paths had crossed…

Years ago. When she’d had her stint at the FBI Academy, and he’d offered her a job one dark and rainy night.

“I have to admit, I’ve admired the way you’ve handled the situations when our paths crossed. Your acting skills have been top-notch. Bravo.”

It wasn’t acting. It had been shock. The first time she’d seen Dex at Shark Gaming and Design, her jaw had nearly hit the floor. But she’d realized he must have been at the location in some kind of undercover capacity. He’d been there with a cop, a man she trusted. It had quickly been apparent that Dex hadn’t been there with ill intent. She’d gotten down to business and ignored the uncertainty that filled her. She’d protected Shark. Protected Antony and his partner Sebastian.

And then…

Then she’d learned the truth about Antony—and Dex had been waiting in a limo for them both after they’d slipped from the police station. Revealing that she’d known Dex—no matter how briefly—hadn’t seemed like the best plan at the time. Mostly because—

“What are you afraid of, Ella?” Dex’s voice was all silky smooth.

“Antony told me that you like to be two steps ahead of everyone else.”

“I prefer more than two.”

“You did it all deliberately, didn’t you?” The man had been playing a seriously long game.

“Did what? You’ll need to be more specific. I have my hands in lots of pies at the moment.”

She twisted her hands in her lap. “I told you no when you offered me a job initially.”

“Um, you mean the job with me? When I found your young, energetic self being all bored and stifled at the FBI Academy and I offered you a wonderful, alternative career choice for your life?”

She’d quickly realized the FBI wasn’t the place for her. Then one night when she’d been out letting off some steam with her friends, he’d approached her as she waited outside of a crowded restaurant and rain had fallen lightly down on them.

You’re not made for stuffy suits and endless meetings about criminal profiles. He’d slipped her a white business card that had a phone number written across it. I can give you adventure. Excitement. You can travel the world, and, oh, yes, save lives in the process.

What a winning pitch. She’d been curious. She’d dialed the number on the card. Called him. Gotten more intel and done more research. Ella had learned enough to realize that she was dealing with the CIA. Dex had wanted to send her for specialized training. Had wanted her to try a small mission under the supervision of veteran agents…

“I always wondered why you approached me back then.” Pieces of the puzzle had clicked into place for her. “It was because of Jacob, wasn’t it?” As soon as she’d realized that he’d been working for Dex, too, everything had made sense.

“I recruited him after he left the military. I always complete my due diligence, and I looked into his family. You were a link that could potentially be used against him. He seemed to have been extra close to you while growing up. I had to make sure you weren’t a threat.”

“I’m not.”

“That remains to be seen.”

“I’m not!”

“Threats come in many shapes and sizes.” He shrugged one shoulder as he drove. “When I looked into your life, I liked what I saw. Realized that you could be more beneficial working for me than withering at the FBI, so I offered you a job.” His gaze slid to her, then back to the dark road. “By the way, you’re one of only five people to ever turn me down.”

“Five, huh? Sounds like an exclusive club.”

“It is.”

Her lips pressed together. She had so many suspicions whirling through her mind. She’d had those

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