Page 40 of Speak of the Devil (New Hope 3)

I tighten my grip on her wrist. “Mel. Please. Gina takes him to the park on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. All you have to do is drop it by.”

She scoots away, removing herself from my grasp. “I’ll see what I can do.”

I don’t believe her, so I say, “If you wanted to be smart about things, you wouldn’t assign me or anyone else to Marcia Louis. There’s someone else…”

“Someone else?”

“Competition…someone she’s interested in. Someone she pointed out to me. A business associate, I think.”

Melanie eyes me skeptically. “She pointed him out? Just like that?”

“I think he’s a better target.”

He’s poison. He’s a heartless bastard.

Her lips press to one another, forming a hard line. “I’m sure you’re wrong about that. If a better target existed, that would have been your assignment. Adam wouldn’t make such a mistake.”

I nod. If she only knew what Adam was really capable of.

Chapter Fourteen

Elliot

It’s a shame that I have to watch my back. I don’t know who to trust, but I can’t say this is anything new. Also, liars really should deal in cash. That’s what springs to mind when I spot the familiar slope of her shoulders. Someone should probably tell her that, and I see no reason why that person shouldn’t be me.

She’s seated at a table, this time several rows over from mine. I was busy combing through the latest version of a contract, so I didn’t notice when she came in, but I don’t think she’s been there long.

I pick up the contract, stand, and walk over to her table. “I have a question,” I say, sliding into the seat opposite her. “I hope you won’t mind.”

She cocks her head. At first, I don’t think she remembers me. But then I see something falter in her expression, and I’m certain she does. “I’m not sure I have the answer…”

“Are you meeting someone?”

“That’s your question?”

“That’s one of them.”

She leans forward, and then, without warning, she reaches out and touches the corner of my eye. “What happened?”

“I lost a fight.”

“That’s too bad,” she says. I think she’s waiting for me to elaborate, but I don’t.

“He’s good. My second favorite.” I mention with a nod toward the piano. “You play?”

“No.”

“So, that’s it?” She gestures at my face. “You lost a fight.”

I manage a shrug.

“Wait…so…you’ve taken up a seat at my table, and now you’re not even going to bore me with the details?”

“I’m afraid it’s a very long story.”

She glances at the small watch on her wrist. “I’ve got nineteen minutes.”

“I’m afraid that won’t be enough time. Maybe you’d like to join me for a proper dinner? Tomorrow night?”