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Breathless, she pulled away and looked up at him. Heat and something deliciously wicked burned in his beautiful eyes, and despite the fact that it was the most inappropriate time to have these thoughts, she wanted nothing more than to find a private place and act on that promise in his eyes.
But reality zoomed back, and she had no choice but to let it take over. They had a job to do.
Gathering her wits, she said, “How could Iris know about the explosion?”
“I don’t know,” he said grimly. “We’re going to find out.”
She pulled farther away from him and reined in her emotions. Later, she would take apart that kiss and that promise. Right now, she wanted answers. Someone had almost killed her husband. That someone had taken too much from her already. They could have nothing else.
“Okay. Let’s get back to our questions.”
Hawke nodded. “She thinks she scored some points.”
“She did, but she’s not winning this game. We are.”
A sexy smile curved his mouth. “That’s my Livvy.”
She smoothed down her hair and adjusted the shoulder of her dress that he had pulled down. “How do I look?”
The smile went wider, but his eyes heated up even more. “Thoroughly kissed.”
“Maybe I should go clean up.”
“No. Let her see who we are. Let her see that no matter what, she’ll never destroy what we have.”
She wanted to ask him exactly what they did have, but now was not the time.
“Any new strategy?”
Hawke shook his head. “Just get her talking. Her ego will bring her down.”
“Okay. Let’s do this.”
Hawke pressed his earbud and said, “A/V back on. Reengage interview.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The lights came on in the next room, giving them the view they expected. Iris still sat in her chair, hands still cuffed to the sides. But a new, very wicked smile was on her face. Hawke was right. She knew she had scored some points and was exceedingly proud of herself. No way was she going to win this. No way in hell.
The window slid up, and the interview began again.
“Who do you work for, Iris?” Hawke asked.
“What? Just like that? Can’t we go back and revisit that little boom that almost tore you to pieces?” Her grin went wider as she added, “One Mississippi, two Mississippi… etcetera. Isn’t that how you Americans count seconds? Seven to be exact, wasn’t it?”
Olivia searched for an explanation. Iris knew the bomb had gone off seven seconds sooner than it should have. How did she know this? How had someone manipulated not only the timer but also her video feed? Who were these people?
“You seem very proud of this, Iris,” Hawke said. “Were you responsible for the timing difference?”
“I do wish I could take credit for it. It would be so fitting to say I was finally able to destroy the man who corrupted my daughter, but alas, no, it wasn’t me.”
The taunts didn’t land with Olivia as Iris had wanted. Having her mother disapprove of her marriage to Hawke was surefire proof that it was the best thing she’d ever done.
“Then who was responsible?”
“Underlings, of course. I admit I used to enjoy the wet work, but after a while, it can become tedious.”
“Whose underlings?”