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“So we can talk. And maybe get to know each other better.”

He’d used a lot of women in the past on jobs to get information or give him cover. But this felt wrong, even if it was necessary. He inwardly cringed at having to do it, disregarded his personal feelings, and held the door open wider to let her pass.

“What’s going on with Spike?” He hoped to uncover more of the plot and get her to confess to being the ringleader.

She took her time looking around the tiny apartment, then stared into his bedroom at the unmade bed. “Looks like you had a restless sleep.”

“I slept like a baby,” he corrected her, thinking he’d slept like a very satisfied man with the woman he loved by his side.

It didn’t even shock him that he thought that about Lyric. His feelings for her had been growing for a long time. But finally being able to talk to her and be withher over the last few days, and especially last night, solidified it for him. He didn’t just care about her. He didn’t just want her. He loved her.

It was a new and strange feeling for someone like him who pretended to be something and someone else all the time. But he liked having this living thing inside him that wouldn’t let him ignore it.

“Alone?” Maria asked, interest and something else in her eyes. Jealousy?

They didn’t have that kind of relationship. They’d barely spoken up until now. But he’d caught her eyeing him now and again.

“Alone,” he confirmed.

Her gaze swept over him. “A man like you doesn’t have to sleep alone.”

He didn’t know exactly what she meant by that, except that she thought he could find a woman anytime he wanted. Maybe, but he’d never been that kind of guy. For good reason. His job hit number one on that list every damn time. It came above all else, including his loneliness.

“Sometimes I prefer it.” Not anymore, though. He’d take Lyric in his bed any day of the week. Every day would be amazing. “So why are you askingmeabout Spike? He did the job for you last night. How’d it go?”

“You don’t know?” She tried to seem casual, but he felt the intensity coming off her.

He folded his arms over his chest hiding the pain that shot through his shoulder when he pulled the stitches. “No.”

“It went to shit.” She didn’t deny Spike was working for her.

He slowly unfolded his arms. “Did the husband getcold feet? That guy didn’t seem to have the balls to go through with it.”

She huffed. “Someone talked. The FBI showed up and took Spike, the husband, and the brother-in-law into custody.”

“For real? How do you know?” It hadn’t hit the news yet.

“I have my sources.”

He wanted to know if those sources were in law enforcement. “The brother-in-law’s a hothead. I bet he spouted off about it to the wrong person. I warned Spike about that guy.”

“It’s the second time the FBI interfered and I lost a man.”

Bingo. Thank you, Maria, for that very nice confession. “Youlost a man?” He gave her a sly grin. “I knew you were running the show. You’re smart, even if Lobo doesn’t give you enough credit for it.”

She preened at the praise.

“You know those guys want Lobo, the badass, running things, but behind the scenes you’re working all of them.”

She grinned and did that hair-flip thing again. “A man with a brain. I knew I liked you.”

“I assume Spike won’t rat you out.”

“If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll keep his mouth shut.”

He prodded her some more. “But he’s facing some serious charges. What if he gives you up in some deal?”

“He won’t. I take care of my people. His new lawyer will be there to see him today.”