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Still, despite my bravado, nerves twist my insides. Juno won’t easily forget this security breach, or my naive trust in NatalieMiller. I can only imagine the scathing lecture to come.

But that’s a problem for later. Right now, I need to decide how to handle the twisted viper sitting before me.

Natalie’s spine is ramrod straight, her hands curled into white-knuckled fists in her lap.

Waiting for my judgment. Perhaps even praying for mercy despite knowing she deserves none.

But when I look at her, I recall the fire in those brown eyes the first time she kissed me. The soft sounds she made beneath my touch, the way she looked at me, caressed me as though I were something precious.

Lies, all lies.

Yet even now, some traitorous part of me wants to believe them. Wants to trust in the illusion we crafted together.

With effort, I shove those foolish wishes aside. Natalie Moreau never existed. A stranger sits before me now.

“Despite what you may think, Agent Miller, I’m no murderer.” My voice holds steady. “Merely a businesswoman, trying to operate in a town full of people who prefer to keep power for themselves.” I fix Natalie with an icy look. “But I can assure you, your membership here has been permanently revoked. Get on your feet.”

She doesn’t move, so I haul her none-too-gently upright. Juno follows us as I march Natalie out to the reception area, my hand clamped so hard on her arm that it will surely leave bruises, rage simmering in my blood.

In the foyer Liana looks up, alarmed, but schools her features when I give a subtle shake of my head.

“Liana, dear, I believe an item was found in the bathroom earlier? It was something our guest here misplaced.”

Liana’s eyes dart to Natalie, then back to me. “Of course, Ms. de Luca. I have it here.” She retrieves the wire from beneath the desk. I take it from her and press it into Natalie’s hands.

“There you go. No excuses left. I don’t ever want to see you here again. Do you understand me?” My voice drops to a dangerous whisper.

Natalie gives a single jerky nod, face ashen.

I turn and nod to Jeremiah. “Please escort Ms. Miller out. She is no longer welcome in the Ruby Realm.”

Jeremiah’s massive frame dwarfs Natalie’s as he takes her arm and leads her firmly toward the exit. Natalie glances back once, her eyes shimmering with emotion.

In them, I see echoes of the woman IthoughtI knew.

A woman who only ever existed in my imagination, conjured by my foolish longing for something…true.

The heavy door swings shut, sealing Natalie Moreau away forever. The woman who remains in her body is a stranger to me. One I never wish to lay eyes on again.

I blow out a long breath and turn to find Juno regarding me, one eyebrow arched.

Waiting.

“Well?” I challenge, lifting my chin. “Let’s hear it. The admonishments I’m sure you’re dying to unleash.”

Juno considers me a moment, then shakes her head. “Let’s go to your office.”

I nod curtly and lead the way through the dim back hallways. Once enclosed in my office, I turn to face Juno and brace myself for the upcoming lecture. Juno’s never been one to mince words, even with family.

But instead of launching into accusations, Juno collapses onto the leather couch with a tired sigh.

“Pour us both a drink, won’t you? I believe we’ve earned it.”

I blink, startled, but comply. The clink of crystal seems deafening in the heavy silence hanging between us.

When I pass Juno her glass, she raises it in a sardonic salute. “To the FBI. Meddlesome bastards.”

I snort. “I’ll drink to that.” The liquor burns my throat but chases away some of the bone-deep chill left in Natalie’s wake.