Unfortunately, since their opponent seemed to have a solid idea of how Kyle and the regular authorities tended to think, she was going to have to do some improvisation without his involvement in the decision-making process.
“I’ll tell you what we’re doing, when I can.” She held out a truffle fry to him. After a moment, he crossed the room to where she was standing and took the offering. “And for when there’s not time to tell you, make sure you understand and then get your agreement, you’re going to have to have some faith and follow my lead. No questions. No hesitation. Deal?”
“Do I have a choice?” His voice was wry now, but his anger had been tucked away. Controlled.
“Not really. You hired me to protect you. To get you to the trial alive and in one piece, that’s going to mean saving you from your own too-stupid-to-live moments.” She wanted to reach out, touch him, give him the reassurance actual tactile contact could give in ways words couldn’t. But this thing between them was so new, she didn’t know if it would be welcome. “If that means I need to figure out a way to help your sister and your nephew too, then I will. But we’re still going to do this my way.”
She thought he might balk. His stubborn streak wouldn’t be a surprise here. It was in his nature to be the leader and expect others to follow. Hell, she was fairly sure it was why Austin and Weaver had had so much trouble with him.
Instead, Kyle took her hand in his and lifted it to press a kiss against the back of her hand. Then he turned her hand over and touched his lips to the pulse point on the inside of her wrist. “You’re in the lead. For now.”
Chapter Seventeen
It always seemed to be different with Lizzy.
Kyle hid a smile as the two of them left the hotel together. Previously she’d made them leave separately, one after the other at varying time intervals. This time, they left as a couple and bid each other goodbye at the street corner while he got in a cab and she walked.
She’d scowled about it, considering it a risk to be separated from him for long but his cab ride took him up to Pike Place Market uneventfully, where he waited by the tourist-filled area watching parents take pictures of their children climbing over the metal pig. Cognizant of her warnings, he stayed under the cover of the market’s permanent roof.
In minutes, she was there, in a different outfit and wearing sunglasses. Her hair was up and tucked under another of her endless supply of cute hats.
Studying her, once she joined him, he couldn’t help but grin. “You enjoy this.”
“What?” Behind her sunglasses, she must be scanning the area. She didn’t simply look out over the streets at the people, he’d learned. She looked up over the balconies and rooftops, into windows if possible, and shadowy areas between buildings.
Places he’d never thought to look for watchers—or shooters—until he’d met her.
“You enjoy the different hats and sunglasses. Even the wigs.” Of course, it made sense to change looks as they were remaining in the city. “It’s amazing how accessories can completely change the way a person looks, but it isn’t just about the practicality. You relish trying new ones.”
She turned her face toward him slowly. Telltale flags of color had risen up on her cheeks. She didn’t say anything.
He grinned even more, delighted, actually. Her lack of commentary meant he was right. She seemed to prefer silence to lying. A preference he appreciated.
“Hats, sunglasses, scarves.” The gift possibilities were endless. “You have excellent taste, in every style I’ve seen so far. How many variations do you have packed away in your backpack?”
She sighed and tugged at his elbow, taking them into the crowded market. In a tucked-away corner between stalls, she handed him a hat and sunglasses while she swapped her own.
Actually, it was very clever. Such items packed small, compact, and required little effort to shake out and wear. It allowed for effective quick changing. At first, he’d felt ridiculous but now it was a precaution with an element of fun to it.
“Mix and match helps with variety.” Lizzy didn’t look at him as she spoke, letting her hand trail along the edge of a vendor table as they wound through the market. “I started with just a couple, but one of my teammates got me hooked on picking up a little something wherever we went.”
“A good idea.” Even though she was going through the motions of browsing, he’d noticed she’d never bought anything. “But you haven’t done that with me. Too familiar with the items here?”
She lived in the Seattle area, after all. Or at least he presumed she did. She hadn’t actually shared much information about herself.
Picking up a trinket, she paused to give the vendor a quick smile. As she set it down and continued to browse, he almost missed her answer. “We’re in the middle of a live contract right now. Even if I don’t mean to, something I pick up is a memory. For me, and for anyone watching me. It’s better not to.”