impression that she was curious about him or the life he led. But as the silence lengthened between them, it was obvious he wasn’t going to offer any more information.
It was none of her business, anyway. She took a sip of wine. Curiosity was a natural response to have toward an ex-husband, a man she hadn’t seen in over seven years, who was now protecting her, she reminded herself. For a brief moment she had forgotten about the listening device planted in her office, forgotten about the photographs, the person or persons stalking her. She was relieved for that respite, however brief.
She was curious, but not interested in Mike. And what woman wouldn’t be? He was fascinating, he lived an intriguing life. But he’d only be in her life long enough to catch whoever was stalking her, she reminded herself.
She closed her eyes and leaned her throbbing head against the leather-covered booth. “Oh, Michael. How am I going to tell my clients that their confidential information has all been compromised. It takes months to build trust between doctor and patient. With some clients, they’ll never trust me again. Or any other therapist, for that matter.”
“You’ve been through a lot, Brianna.” Mike’s voice was warm and gentle. “Try not to think about it right now.”
“Remember that young woman who came in while you were in the waiting room?”
“Hmm. The one dressed up for Halloween?”
Brianna opened one eye and shot him a chastising look. “I’m terribly worried about her, Michael. I’m not sure if I helped her today. She just might…”
His blue eyes filled with sympathy. “Is she suicidal?”
Brianna nodded. She propped her elbows on the table. How she wished she could tell Mike that the teenager had admitted that she was pregnant and the father of her unborn baby—her slimeball boyfriend—was back in town. Not only had he introduced Kristi to drugs when she was thirteen, but he had the morals of an alley cat. Kristi thought he would marry her when he found out about the baby. When he had proved unfaithful before, less than three months ago, she had slashed her wrists. Who knew what the boyfriend would do when he found out about the baby?
“If you want to talk…”
“Thanks” was all she trusted herself to say. She’d forgotten what an easy listener he was. Whenever she’d had a problem, whether it was with her father, her indecision about a career or what kind of car to buy, Mike would patiently listen until she was all talked out. How she’d missed that.
She caught herself. Surprised to find her hand wrapped in his, she drew back. She couldn’t tell Mike that Kristi was going to tell her boyfriend about the baby. She bit her lip. “I know it’s not professional to get involved with one’s clients, but there’s something about this young woman. I really think I could help her.”
“She’s lucky to have you in her life.” His voice warmed again, flowed over her. Brianna glanced into Mike’s caring expression. For a moment, she felt genuinely relieved that he had accepted her case. Nora had been right. Mike believed he could help her and his confidence was catching. Yes, she was beginning to believe he could keep her safe. And she wouldn’t fight the secure feeling he gave her. But after all, this was his job.
More than likely, his charm was part of that service, too. The bond that was forming between them was merely the security in knowing she was in expert hands. Nothing more.
She never spoke of her clients to anyone outside the office, and she felt a bit embarrassed. Glancing at her watch to break the tension, she was surprised to see how late it was. “I should be going—”
“I’ve got a call to make. This will only take a minute.” Mike reached for the black leather case beside him and clicked open the lid. “I’m going to check on one of my partners, Liam O’Shea. He’ll be running the sweep on your apartment.”
Surprised, she looked up. “You’re not going to do it?”
“Liam is the team expert on eavesdropping detection.” Mike reached for her hand. “Don’t worry. He’ll be discreet.”
His hand cupped over hers felt warm, protective and strong. A sudden memory of how those hands had felt touching her skin, how those fingers felt teasing her, seducing her, brought with it a stab of incredible yearning.
She pulled her hand away and rubbed the stem of her wineglass. When their eyes met, she thought she saw a flash of remembrance in his face. But she must be imagining it, for in the next moment he removed a boxlike phone from its case and punched in a series of numbers. She sipped her wine again and forced herself to relax.
“Hello, Bailey?” Mike said. “Page Liam this time and have him call me on the bubble machine in about an hour. I’ll be at the Crib.”
His eyes leveled on her as he hung up the receiver and tucked the phone back inside the case.
Surprised, she asked, “Bubble machine at the Crib?”
He flashed a smile. “The bubble machine is our satellite phone. And the Crib is the name of our safe house in Brooklyn. TALON-6 owns it.”
“Why can’t I stay in my apartment?”
“Until Liam runs a thorough check on your home, car and office, I want you safe with me.”
She clutched at his arm. “I can’t, Michael. I’ll stay at a hotel.”
“Very well, but you won’t have the same security. We’ll get adjoining rooms.”
She glared at him. “Let’s get one thing straight. I’m extremely appreciative for what you’re doing, but I’m perfectly capable of staying by myself.”
His features settled into an unemotional mask. “When I said you’d stay with me, I didn’t mean that literally. The Crib is a secure building where our clients, those in need of top-security protection, stay. Celebrities, politicians, people in the witness-protection program, that sort of thing. You’ll be safe, comfortable, and you can relax and catch up on some needed sleep.”
“This is not where you live, right?”
He flashed a grin, a dimple deepening in his left cheek. “True, I do keep a small apartment there, but there’s plenty of room for both of us. You’ll have your own suite and you won’t know I’m there, if that’s what you want.”
She arched an eyebrow as her gaze met his. “I’ll consider going on one condition. If I don’t like it, I leave for a hotel. Okay?”
“Okay.” He gave her another devastating grin that melted her insides. “You’re the boss in this business relationship,” he added.
“I’m the boss,” she repeated. But when she looked deeply into those familiar blue eyes, she felt as if she was sitting in the front seat of an out-of-control roller coaster, holding on for the ride of her life.
ON THE WAY to the Crib, they stopped at Brianna’s apartment only long enough for her to pack an overnight bag, pick up the mail and replace the recording tape from her answering machine. Mike had suggested she not listen to her messages until she was safely ensconced in her new quarters at the Crib.
It was after four o’clock by the time their cab pulled up in front of an elegant Greek
