Then, the chief had entered the coffee shop, and she’d felt herself turn red.

Rather than working, she’d sneaked peeks of him as her memory relived last night. The way he’d held her in place. The low resonant sound of his voice when he called her Goldilocks. How hard she’d come.

He’d been understanding and patient—and adamant about caring for her. Sheesh, she couldn’t even pretend he’d taken advantage of her since having sex had been her idea.

It had been wondrous. Amazing.

And a total disaster.

Why did the man have to be so perceptive? After sex, any other guy would’ve been half-asleep, not noticing how she didn’t answer right away to her fake name.

Why was he so unbendable? It wasn’t as if she’d killed someone; she was just using a name that wasn’t hers.

Of course, she was getting paid in barter and cash, so she was kind of escaping taxes. But, please, the IRS was well equipped to come after her if they wanted to. She sighed. And Bull said there was a limit on how long he’d pay her in cash.

She didn’t need to look up to know that the chief had left. The man exuded power that could be felt all the way across the room. The badge might give him legal standing, but the intimidating authority? Oh, he’d have it without the badge.

Why did she find that so sexy?

She closed her eyes. My girl, who are you and what have you done with super-nerd Audrey?

Unfortunately, a brainy bookworm was who she was—an introvert to the nth degree— possessing a total inability to handle relationships with lovers, friends, and family. Even her mother hadn’t loved her.

Oh honestly, she was whining like a baby. Stop. Now.

It was good that Gabe had walked out before she got in too deep. Because if she did—and God, it would be easy to fall for a man like him—then when he tired of her nerdiness and pulled away, it would really hurt.

She grimaced. It already hurt.

Unable to concentrate, she checked her emails and cringed inside.

Special Agent Dennison had written.

Her fingers almost crossed as she punched the keys to open the email.

—

Audrey,

The investigation of the pharmaceutical research company and their created virus is going well. I believe all those involved will end up destitute and behind bars.

Spyros hasn’t been apprehended. Rumors are flying that one of his targets injured him badly—and escaped. He’s going to want revenge and to repair his damaged reputation. As you feared, until he’s imprisoned, you will be in danger.

—

Audrey’s stomach clenched. She’d learned Spyros had escaped law enforcement agencies, including Interpol, for well over a decade. What if they never caught him?

Her fingers shook as she scrolled the page.

—