Page 69 of Mr. Perfect

“I told him the same thing, but Spencer just reiterated how the program isn’t about him. He was adamant that profiting off the program was unethical. When I suggested he could pump the extra revenue back into the program, Spencer got defensive. I backed off. I quickly realized the avenue was closed to me, so I shifted my attention to the eligibility guidelines established for the program. The only thing Spencer could tell me was the parolees selected weren’t convicted of violent offenses.”

Felix rubbed his chin. “That’s all I got out of Spencer when I interviewed him about the program.”

“When?” Jude asked sharply.

“Yesterday.”

“Damn it, Felix. Why didn’t you stay away from Spencer like I asked you to? What did you say to tip him off?”

“Nothing,” Felix said defensively. “I didn’t push for information. I…” Felix slapped his forehead when he recalled how he’d triggered Spencer’s red flag. “I made a remark that we’re only as good as the company we keep.”

“Felix.” Jude’s tone was a mixture of admiration and admonishment.

“We were talking about theSinister in Savannahpodcast, and I told him I couldn’t take all the credit for its success. So, yeah, I used the opportunity to get a dig in, but the remark hadn’t come out of left field.”

“The interviews were the incendiary devices for both explosions that followed them,” Jude said.

Felix’s explosion was literal and obvious, considering the situation they’d found themselves in. He had a feeling Jude’s bomb was more personal. “What blew up in your face?”

Jude took another long drink. This time Felix did get out of his chair and moved closer, taking the seat to Jude’s right instead of sitting across the table. Felix didn’t reach for him, but he was within touching distance.

“My whole world exploded because, of course, I didn’t let it go. That’s not what good reporters do.”

Felix nodded. “We follow the lead until there’s nowhere left to go.” He snorted. “And to think I thought your interview was lazy.”

Jude winced. “You watched it?”

“On Tuesday before you showed up.”

“Wow. And you still sucked my dick?”

Felix smirked. “I followed my instincts.”

“The abbreviated version they aired was lazy as fuck. A fluff piece that didn’t come close to telling the whole story.”

“They never do,” Felix said. He reached over and covered Jude’s hands. “I’m listening.”

“Because you want to out-scoop me.” Jude’s sapphire gaze glittered with mirth. It was brief, but Felix was so relieved to see life sparking in Jude’s eyes again.

“I’d planned to fuck it out of you anyway,” Felix said with a casual shrug. He’d planned no such thing, but he loved the wry smile tugging at Jude’s lips.

“Well, in that case, why should I divulge my secrets now? Bring on your wicked ways.”

“I’ve had second thoughts. A near-death experience can have strange effects on a man.”

Felix nearly swore when he saw Jude flinch. He released Jude’s hand and cupped the back of Jude’s neck, pulling him closer. Felix rested his forehead against Jude’s.

“I want all the secrets airedbeforeI take you to bed,” Felix whispered.

Jude closed his eyes and shook his head. “Don’t give me that kind of hope unless you mean it.”

“Were you telling me the truth about why you moved here?” Felix asked.Please say yes.

Jude nodded. “I would’ve moved to Anchorage, Alaska, if that’s where you were. Then I would’ve been battling attack moose instead of peacocks. I much prefer my odds against Pete and Pearl.”

“They’re not my peacocks.”

“They are. You just don’t realize it yet,” Jude said.