Page 85 of Spy With Me

This wasn’t some grand affair she would look back on withfondness when she found her true love.

Hewasher true love.

“Yeah, we’re going to enjoy it.” Zach said the words butthere was a deep well in his tone. Sorrow. Regret.

Her uncle stepped back. “Fine. But I’d like a word alonewith Zach first.”

“You don’t need to…” Devi began.

Zach released her. “Of course. Devi, I’ll be there in aminute. Go and get yourself settled.”

Well, that was an order. But she did understand. Zach caredabout her uncle. He viewed Ian Taggart as the father figure he never had.

She really wanted to stay for that talk.

Tasha came over and took her hand. “Come on. I’ll help youset up. I’ve been here before. It’s comfy. Nell lets us use this place fromtime to time. It’s way better than having to hide out in a hotel.”

Kenzie moved in behind her. “I’ll go, too.”

Oh, crap. They were going to have a talk.

She looked back, but Zach wasn’t saving her this time.

ChapterFourteen

Big Tag crossed to the bar and poured out another glass. Twofingers of amber liquid that if this Henry guy bought, it was likely locallysourced and hadn’t harmed the environment in any way.

Zach took it.

“Tristan, go away,” Big Tag said flatly.

Tristan groaned but stood. “I don’t get to watch any of thedrama. TJ, hey man, tell me what happened when Kala found out Lucy was Zach’scontact. Like did things explode?”

TJ followed him out. “No, but she did name this rude donkeyafter Kala, and that did not go well. Also, did you know geese are reallymean?”

They disappeared down the hall.

Henry gestured his daughter’s way. “You’re not going to joinin on the girl talk? I suspect they’re about to corner Devi.”

Lucy sighed as she stood and grabbed her bag. “I would makeKala uncomfortable, and I’ve pushed her enough for tonight. We need her readyfor tomorrow, so I’ll forgo the doomed love story portion of the evening. Idon’t get it. No guy is worth all of this. No offense, Zach.”

Well, she was always honest with him. About things thatweren’t her real name or who she was actually working for. “None taken.”

Henry put a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “One day youare going to meet someone who sets you on your ass, daughter, and I’m going tobe here for it. Let’s go call your mom. She should be in the air by now andready to give us a heinous lecture on air travel.”

Lucy groaned and walked out with her dad.

Leaving him alone with Big Tag.

“What the fuck, Zach?” Ian said with a shake of his head.

Oh, that could mean so many things. He was surprised at howheavy he felt. Earlier, he’d been light and almost happy because things felt sofucking right between him and Devi. Earlier he’d thought he still had a fewweeks with her. Things were moving along with whatever Huisman’s plans were,but he thought he had a little time.

He took a sip of the whiskey. He wouldn’t ask for a secondglass because despite Devi’s insistence that they were only having sex, hewanted to remember every second he spent with her. Every touch. Every caress.

Every single thing except the fact that she didn’t love him.

Her words sat on his chest so he couldn’t quite breatheright. And yet he knew it was good. It was good that she didn’t love him sincehe wasn’t going to be able to stick around to protect and love her. She wasbeing smart. She was salvaging her heart in a way he couldn’t.