Page 30 of Undercover Infidel

“Maybe that’s the problem,” Lex said quietly.

My eyes met hers, but she quickly looked away.

“I think there’s something else going on,” she added. “How close are the two of you?”

Tag shrugged. “We’re friends.”

Lex raised a brow.

“With occasional benefits,” he said under his breath.

My mouth gaped. We’d been best friends all our lives, and he hadn’t admitted as much to me.

“Maybe she’s protecting you,” Lex suggested. Once again, her eyes met mine only briefly.

Tag checked his watch and stood. “I need to see her. Talk to her in person. Typhon can damn well tell me where she is, or…”

“Or what?” I asked.

“I’m finished.”

My eyes met Gus’.

“I’ll come with you,” he said, following Tag when he stood.

“Keep me posted,” I said as they prepared to leave.

Lex stood too. “Tag? If Nightingale doesn’t want to see you, respect her wishes.”

I saw his struggle, recognized it from my own.

“Roger that,” he finally said before the two men walked out.

Lex sat back down and turned toward her computer, but she didn’t touch the keyboard. I pulled my chaircloser to hers, leaned forward, and rested my elbows on my knees.

“I’m sorry.”

She glanced over at me. “Is that a blanket apology, or is it for something specific?”

“Both?” I said, winking.

“What was it Mrs. Thorne said? ‘Lord Blackmoor is such a charmer’?”

“Lex, I?—”

“Don’t. Let me speak first.”

“Go ahead.”

“I understand why you’re hesitant to bring other people into the Labyrinth investigation, particularly given what happened with Fallon Wallace.”

As hard as I tried not to, I still cringed.

“But what if I said I didn’t want you to confer with Tag or Gus or Ash?”

“It would be impossible for me not to.”

“Dr. McLaren was never my best friend, but I did—do—admire her in the same way I’m sure you do your friends. To suggest I not confer with a woman who taught me everything I know seems really unfair, Con.”