Page 64 of Perfect Liar

“Why are you upset? He’s doing his job. And I did warn you about leaving.”

I put my hands on my hips.

“I just wanted to breathe some fresh air for a minute. I wasn’t going to leave.”

He closed in on me and forced me to meet his eyes.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe, and you’ll follow my orders.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“I am not your prisoner.”

His jaw clenched, and his eyes flashed. He was prepared to fight with me and win.

“Aren’t you? We’ve talked about this, Elle.”

“No! And have we really? You?—”

I halted my argument.

I wouldn’t fight with him. I couldn’t bear the idea that if I did, we would be distant physically and emotionally while he was in London. I touched his forearms. And as I traced over the veins, my thoughts changed course, so I tried a gentle demand.

“Take me to the beach, Will. I need to get out for a while.”

His expression relaxed, and he exhaled. A bead of sweat fell from his face and landed on my cheek.

He was thoughtful for a minute, and then he nodded.

“After I make a few calls. I’ll leave for London later.”

He wiped the drop of sweat off my face with his thumb.

“Really? You’ll take me…today?”

Lowering his head, he pressed his salty lips against mine.

“Quite right. I’ll deny you nothing. When you ask me for something reasonable, it’ll be yours.”

Then he grabbed my phone from my back pocket and shouted for Thomas to come over.

I looked at the floor.

“Oh. I listened to the messages. I’m an official suspect now. Josh wanted to know if you?—”

He pulled my chin up.

“—I know. It’s all right, Elle. He called my office. US police demand to interview you. If we give that to them, they’ll likely drop the matter. I’ve had my lawyer contact them and arrange for the Met’s commissioner to conduct the interview here.”

I tried not to panic, but my body vibrated with it.

“But what do I say?”

“You don’t need to worry. My lawyer will direct the commissioner’s questioning.”

“What if they don’t believe me?”

“Elle, you didn’t do anything wrong. You’ll give them the interview, and I’ll get the cop anything else he needs to move this along. We’ll clean it up. You have my word.”