Page 66 of Storm Warning

“Leave him behind.” Andre wrapped his hand around hers. “I can’t think of anything more satisfying than leaving him in the dust.” He also didn’t want to put Riley in the position of having to interrogate another intruder. Not yet, anyway.

She stared at him, unasked questions in her eyes.

Elias looked at him with eyes that saw too much.

If he’d been on his own, Andre would have rounded up the watcher and asked him a few questions. Was it so wrong of him to want to protect his woman?

That decision, however, wasn’t the best one for him or Riley. They needed information. The most efficient way to get it was to capture the watcher and interrogate him. If Riley wasn’t up to asking the questions, he could ask them. Interrogation was oneof his skills, although he didn’t use it often. Might be time to dust it off.

Andre squeezed Riley’s hand. “On second thought, I don’t want this guy following us. We don’t know what type of weapons he’s carrying on his person or in his vehicle.” He glanced at Riley. “If you’re not up for another interrogation, Elias and I are trained to do it, too.”

“I’ve got this. Bring him to me.”

“Where?”

“Garage. I don’t want him inside Rod’s cabin.”

“You’ve got it.” He kissed her and motioned for Elias to follow him. They walked out the back door.

CHAPTER TWELVE

RILEY STARED ATthe closed door for a beat, then turned to her team leader. “Andre almost made a mistake.”

“Give him credit for owning up to it and correcting his decision. That’s a sign of a powerful man.”

Hurt wound around her heart. “He doesn’t trust me to do the job.”

“Wrong. His first instinct is to protect you.”

“I can do the job.”

“So can he. Andre knows you’re trained to interrogate our visitor. Your ability to do the job isn’t what that brief exchange was about.”

“Then enlighten me.”

Iona’s lips curved. “You don’t see it, do you?”

“See what?” Yes, she sounded cranky. She also had the right to feel that way, like anyone else.

“Andre loves you.”

Riley froze, and the world stood still. “What did you say?”

Her team leader laughed. “You heard me, Riley. That man loves you. Why else would he try so hard to protect you from a task that he knows bothers you?”

Was Iona correct? Did Andre love her? Butterflies swooped and swirled in her stomach. Oh, man. She couldn’t think of anything better than for the man of her dreams to fall for her.

“The more important question is how you feel about him.” Iona gently shoulder-checked Riley. “So, inquiring minds want to know, Riley Sloan. Tell all to Iona.”

Iona and the rest of Artemis would wear her down. They didn’t keep secrets from each other. Besides, she wouldn’t be able to hide her feelings for Andre much longer. They were too overwhelming to conceal. “I’m crazy in love with him.”

The other woman pumped her fist. “Yes! I knew it, and now the rest of Artemis owes me dinner at my favorite restaurant. Thank you, Riley.”

Realization dawned on her. “You bet on me?”

“We bet on when you would realize you loved Andre.” Iona grinned. “I guessed today’s date.”

“This is embarrassing.”