A wave of depression swept over him, and he moved his finger into position. Suz would be angry if she found out about this, but how would she? And once they reconciled, he’d never touch this site again.

Guaranteed.

As for the bigger dilemma that had dominated his life for months—maybe it wasn’t as bad as he thought. After all, glitch or no glitch, his contact wouldn’t use the Ivy Hill grounds forever. One of these days, the operation would move somewhere else. Illegal activities always did. Staying in one place too long, no matter how convenient, upped the risk.

If he could wait this out, everything would be fine. Once his contact had no more use for his services, he or she and their organization would disappear—and no one would ever know about the small role a certain security officer had played during their tenure at the school.

At least that’s what he hoped would happen before anyone else got hurt.

Except perhaps the unlucky student his contact had asked about.

Cate Sheppard.

10

AS USUAL, ZEKE WAS WAITING FOR HER.

Cate hefted the loaded backpack that seemed to be standard school gear for teens these days into a more comfortable position and entered the library.

Only a few students occupied the tables in the center of the room on this Tuesday afternoon, most wearing earbuds as they worked. None paid any attention to her.

Neither did Zeke. Behind the glass walls of the study cube, he remained focused on the papers in front of him, giving her a few moments to appraise him unobserved.

Eight years ago, he’d been the handsomest man she’d ever met.

That hadn’t changed.

If anything, age had enhanced his dark good looks. Even the fading scar on his temple couldn’t detract from his magnetism. And other than his slight limp, he appeared to be in excellent physical condition.

From everything she’d observed since their unexpected reunion, his strong work ethic and commitment to justice appeared solid as ever too.

Yet he was also different.

The restlessness that had always been a part of him appeared to have mellowed, and the deep sadness that had sometimes added another layer of darkness to his ebony eyes had faded. Nor did he seem as plagued by the personal demons he’d never shared with her but that had always shadowed his smiles.

Were those demons related to the debt he’d referenced during their last meeting?

She expelled an annoyed breath.

It hadn’t been fair for him to throw out that tantalizing nugget, then retreat.

Not that she cared about what was going on with his psyche, of course. Those days were past.

Cate tightened her grip on the strap of the backpack as she watched the man who’d blithely tossed aside the love she’d offered him.