Page 17 of The Dark Side

He put a finger back on his lips, passing off the remote and her cell phone to one of his people.

Five little trinkets were tossed on the table: a pen, a USB, and three dime-sized metal discs.

"What the—"

Adrik held a hand up. The soldiers tossed the listening devices in a bag and walked out. He locked the door before he turned back around to her.

"What are those?" she screamed over the loud music.

He took the remote up and turned it off.

"Listening devices. The cops bugged you."

The audacity of police officers coming into her house while at work or during the interview blew her mind. She felt betrayed and dirty. She sat at the kitchen table with her head in her hands, trying to make sense of all this.

Adrik pulled off his sweatshirt, which pulled his undershirt just enough to show her his compact abs and tattoos. She darted her eyes away, feeling the heat in her cheeks. He sat down with a small, secretive smile as if he knew what he had done.

Jolie couldn't understand him. He acted all businesslike the two times she met him, and now, here in her apartment, he was a young college guy hanging out. She didn't like the difference and didn't know which one he was.

Jolie slapped her hand on the table. "Why are you here?"

Adrik didn't know if he should be honest or lie. Because the truth was, he didn't understand why he was here. "Why didn't you tell the cops?"

"Because you threatened my life."

He narrowed his dark brows. "No, I didn't."

"Well," she said, balking, "you would've. I saved us both some time."

Adrik glanced over her shoulder. It was the first time he noticed the alarming amount of panda things on her counter. He looked around, and everywhere, there was a black-and-white bear looking back at him. He spotted the collection of stuffed animals next to her bed, piled in a way that seemed like trophies, instead of play items for little girls.

"My friend's coming over," Jolie rushed out.

"You don't have any friends," he told her, straightening, meeting her gaze again.

"My boyfriend—"

He chuckled, finding her more amusing as the minutes went on.

Jolie felt the insult and retaliated with, "Does your wife know you're here?"

His brows rose in surprise. He hadn't worn his ring in months. Either the FBI agent made her aware, or with the computer on the couch, she found his secret from there.

It meant she was interested enough to find out, which meant Adrik wasn't wrong in assuming she was attracted to him, as much as she tried to hide it.

"We're separated."

"Oh." Jolie shifted in her seat. The information gave her more hope than she wanted it to. Jolie stood. "I'm gonna ask you to leave."

Adrik snatched her hand as she passed for the door. A gentle touch that felt smooth against her skin. But it was unwelcome, and she yanked her arm away.

"You got anything to drink?" Adrik stood and stepped around her, reaching for a cabinet.

"I don't drink."

Adrik stalled and leaned against the counter. "You don't drink," he repeated, the sentence coming off odd on his lips.

"I have milk." She didn't wait for a response, stepping by him to reach into the cabinet. She grabbed two glasses and got the milk from the fridge. After she poured it, she handed it to him. Then she held her own before she put ample distance between them, staying in the living room because the kitchen was not nearly big enough to stop her from smelling his intoxicating cologne.