Page 44 of When He Defends

“But I can help! I’m better than Emerson when it comes to killers! I can figure them out!” He locked his legs. “Tell me about the new case you’re working.”

Unease slid through Gray. “Who said I had a new case?”

“I—” Nathaniel backed away. “I have my sources. And I know that something big is happening for your team.”

Gray smiled at him. “You can’t help on this particular case. I’m afraid that Emerson is irreplaceable to me.”

“I can do anything she can!”

“Doubtful. Don’t think people are really gonna buy you as my blushing bride.”

Nathaniel’s eyes got very big. Then very small. “What?”

“Oh, didn’t I tell you the good news? Sorry, probably didn’t have time with you busting in and being all life-or-death dramatic. Emerson is going to be my wife. And it’s time for you to get the hell out.”

“She’s not reallyyour wife. It’s a cover.” Nathaniel talked fast.

“No shit, Sherlock.” Gray followed on the guy’s heels. He’d decided the prick needed a personal escort out of the building. He’d also wanted a word alone with Emerson’s ex.Who the fucktold you about the new case?He’d just ordered the team in for the 0600 briefing not even forty minutes ago.

“Emerson has never done undercover work.”

They were heading down the stairwell. Their steps seemed to echo around them.

“I’m aware.” The top of Nathaniel’s head showed his thinning hair. That would explain why he kept his hair slicked back.

“She will crumble under pressure,” Nathaniel warned ominously.

“She will not.”But you will crumble beneath my fist.

They reached the landing.

“Emerson should be in the halls of academia.” Nathaniel reached for the door handle. “She won’t be able to maintain a false persona for long. She’s no chameleon. Social situations have always been awkward for her. That’s why she has few lasting relationships. Only surface friendships. It’s why she watches instead of speaks first.” He hurried outside.

Gray followed, his steps slower.

And Nathaniel kept right on talking. “She’s constantly trying to understand criminals because she thinks there is something wrong with her, deep down, and if she can unravel their deviant behavior, then Emerson believes she can understand herself.”

Enough.“Hey, asshole.”

Nathaniel spun around.

“I don’t need you to tell me anything about Emerson. I understand her perfectly. And, honestly, dude, say less. Because you know jack shit.”

Nathaniel glowered. A nearby light fell clearly on his angry features. “I think I know her intimately.”

“Two minutes? Nah. Not really. You don’t. You barely know her at all after two minutes.”

Nathaniel sucked in a breath. “It’s not my fault that she’s frigid.”

Gray’s hands fisted at his sides. “Weird. To be frigid, she sure burns me alive every time I touch her.”

Nathaniel lunged forward but seemed to catch himself at the last moment. Maybe because he realized Gray could—and would—lay him out in an instant.

“Are we going to have a problem, Agent Stone?” Nathaniel asked. “Because I thought we could both be professional.”

“Fuck professional. And, yeah, we are going to have a problem. Wedohave one, actually.” Then, because he was pretty sure he knew just where Nathaniel had gotten his inside information, Gray fired, “Senator Marlowe.”

Nathaniel’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “What about her?”