“Some, but not too bad.”

She bit her lip, pondering her next question. Per Dietz’s orders, she wasn’t supposed to ask, or do anything to jog his memory. Now she wondered.

“Jude… tell me about the nightmares. About the killing,” she said softly.

He went still under her. “Why?”

“Because I care about you.” She paused, caressing his chest. “Do you think they’re based in fact? Maybe you were, like, working for the government or something.” Oh, that was pushing it. Dietz would be furious.

“I don’t know what to believe,” he said tersely. “And I don’t want to talk about this.”

Well, that went about like she’d expected.

“Fair enough. I’m sorry. Why don’t you take a nap?” she suggested.

“Will you stay?”

“I have work to do, but yes. For a while.”

“All right. Lily?”

“All right. Lily?”

“Hmm?”

“I’m glad you came into my life,” he said. “I just thought you should know.”

Did the guilt never end? “Thank you. I-I’m glad, too.”

He hugged her close, but in moments, his breathing evened out into sleep. The drug still doing its work. When she was sure he was out, she left his embrace, went to the bathroom, and washed up. God, she could smell his cum and wanted to rub it all over herself. Wallow in it like a cat. Instead, she finished and began to dress.

She refused to think of what had just transpired between them. The depth of emotion, of their connection. It was all for nothing, meant nothing in the end.

She’d best not forget that.

Leaving him, she fetched the thumb drive from her closet and went down to the office. She closed the door and sat at her desk, wiggling the mouse to wake up her computer.

Inserting the drive, she waited for the box to pop up containing the file and got busy. Or tried.

The program was a maze to her. To an agent experienced in breaking code, however, this one would be child’s play.

Did she dare call someone to help with this? If so, whom could she trust?

There were a couple of agents she’d trust with her life. The problem was, she wasn’t willing to risk theirs. Nor could she take a gamble on saving the worm to her computer’s hard drive, or making copies.

Dietz’s pompous comment that he knew everything rang in her head. He’d threatened Liam, and she knew he wasn’t spouting bullshit.

So she examined the file from one end to the other, played with the code every which way, but she wasn’t good enough to crack it. Even so, instinct warned her against letting go of this copy.

Disheartened, she shut down the program and pocketed the thumb drive again. Friday, when Dietz called to tell her where to make the drop, she’d be “out of pocket.” Put him off a little longer while she continued to try to reach Michael. She’d go to dinner with Jude and his fancy friends, try to unwind. Forget all of this, for a time.

Pretend that here she’d found a life and a man of her own to love.

“This is why I haven’t gone out,” Jude grouched, fussing with his tie. “How am I supposed to get through an evening in a fine restaurant when I can’t even dress myself?”

Christ, he sounded like a snot- nosed little kid. But he couldn’t help it-he was scared shitless.

“That’s the whole point, remember?” Lily reminded him, swatting his hands away. “Getting out and proving to yourself that you have the option if you want.”

“I’d rather stay here. Liam’s cuisine is better than any four- star establishment, which is why I hired him in the first place.”

“This was your idea.”

“No, it was Devon ’s. But I agreed.” Dammit.

“What do he and his wife look like? Are they attractive?”

He knew she was only trying to distract him from being nervous, and he loved her for it. Still, he decided to play along.

“They’re striking. Like Brad and Angelina, only she’s a redhead. Devon has that blond, spiky, just-rolled-out-of-bed look and carries it off like a Hollywood leading man. Geneva is about an inch taller than he is, even without heels. A true Amazon beauty.”

“They sound lovely,” she said, patting his tie. “Are they nice?”

“They’re… magnetic. They’ll draw you in before you quite know what’s happening. If their sexual allure doesn’t have you dripping wet by the time we arrive back at their place, then you’re made of solid ice. No hope for you.”

He hadn’t meant to say anything, but he felt he should warn her now. In case she wasn’t game for an adventure.

She leaned in, nuzzled his jaw. “Don’t you know by now I’m game for anything?”

“Good.” He grinned. “Maybe we can skip dinner?”

“Not a chance. I’m starving.”

“Liam can make-”

“Let’s go before you wimp out.” She grabbed his arm.

“Wimp? I’ve got your wimp right here in size ten extra long.”

That earned a laugh as she dragged him downstairs. Liam saw them off at the front door, his tone a bit down.

“You guys have fun.”

“Hey, you should bask in your time off,” Jude said, turning toward him. “It’s not like you get a night away from the stove very often.”

“I guess.”

That wasn’t convincing at all. Frowning, Jude reached out, touched his shoulder, then skimmed upward and cupped his face. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I’m just being stupid. Not used to being alone and it’s kind of weird, that’s all.” His friend’s voice brightened, too cheerful to be sincere. “I’m good. Get out of here so I can put my feet up and hog the cable.”

Jude almost relented. Nearly said to forget it, they’d stay home. But the nagging doubt passed and he let it go. Liam could handle one night to himself.

“Next time, it’s a date with you, me, and Lily,” he said. “Deal?”

“You bet,” he said, without much enthusiasm.

“Great. Don’t wait up.”

Out front, Jude held the door while Lily climbed into the limo, then got in after her. Settling close, he held out his hand for her to take and gave his driver directions to pick up the other couple.

As the car pulled away, Jude told himself the finger of dread trailing down his spine was nothing.

Nothing but his imagination.

Lily watched the city lights roll past, taking mental inventory. The second pill was in her purse, ready for the opportune moment. Her cell phone was off, had been all day, preventing Dietz from reaching her. He could get in touch personally if he wanted, but he’d wait. Chew her ass out when she least expected it.

She tried to forget her agenda for a while, concentrate on pretending to be normal. A woman on the town with three dynamic people.

When the limo stopped and the other couple climbed in, Lily saw Jude was spot- on. Devon and Geneva were stunning; these two belonged on the red carpet at the Oscars.

“Jude!” the blond god exclaimed, pumping his hand with enthusiasm. “God, it’s been ages!”

“It has. Too long,” he answered, smiling.

“Hello, Jude.” Geneva greeted him with a hug and a kiss on the cheek before turning curious, friendly eyes on Lily. “You must be Lily. It’s wonderful to meet the woman who’s captured Jude’s affections.”

“Nice to meet you, too,” she said warmly. Lily glanced at the men, who were engaged in brisk conversation, catching up. “But I doubt it’s possible to capture a free spirit.”

“He is that. But he’s also loyal. Once he lets you in, he’ll do anything for you.”

Lily nodded. “He certainly seems devoted to Liam and projects like the shelter.”

A wistful look crossed the other woman’s face. “Yes. He’s an incredible man, but I have a feeling you’re only just scraping the surface of learning how much.”

Geneva ’s gaze went right through her, as though she saw the secrets Lily worked so hard to hide. The conflict tearing her apart.