Page 33

“Steve tried talking me out of it, so did my dad, but I needed to live my life without a shadow hanging over me. Not Dad’s, not Steve’s, and not Liv’s. Not yours either, coz don’t think your career change helped any. I don’t need to be used by anyone else.”

Andrew hadn’t meant to get so visceral. He had needed relief the other day, and he’d planned to ask for more, but he had no illusions about how a tryst with Ford would end. Even if Ford’s business was on the level, he’d still use this team-up to get what he wanted from Andrew, and then leave again.

Ford remained serious, though, as he leaned toward him. “It’s not using if we both want and enjoy it. Unless you start liking me too much,” he finished with a grin.

He was impossible—because Andrew already liked him too much.

“Aren’t you two cozier than expected,” came a sharp voice that prompted Andrew to lurch away from Ford.

“Doctor Vallancourt,” he all but squeaked at the sight of her stepping out of the same shadows Ford had materialized from earlier. There had to be a door back there.

“Andrew,” she said, smiling congenially, “I have asked you repeatedly to call me ‘Eliza’.”

The tension faded; apparently, she did like him.

Eliza Vallancourt was a striking woman, with poise and strength of character, greying hair that was neatly bobbed, and fierce blue eyes almost as mesmerizing as Ford’s.

“You, however,” she shifted to Ford with frosty disapproval, “despite my respect for your son, may call meDoctor.”

Andrew snorted.

“I assume you’ll be informing your brother of this. We’ve had several chats since the break-in.”

“Uhh… I might leave out the team-up part. He isn’t a big fan of Ford’s and doesn’t know Dalton is his son. I’m glad you’re so understanding about his background though.”

“Understanding has nothing to do with it. I want to protect my investments, which includes Dalton. If you’re the man to help accomplish that, Mr. Ford,” she returned to him, the table the only barrier between their matching stares, “so be it. It would be unfortunate if you didn’t care about your son’s future here, but I get the impression that won’t be a problem.”

“My firm is on the level,” Ford said, possibly contemplating how to push Vallancourt’s boundaries but thinking better of it, reminded that this was his son’s boss. “And I expect to be handsomely compensated for my time.”

“Ifyou’re successful. Consultation is without pay, Mr. Ford. Bring me a proposal on how to update my security, and we’ll draw a contract. Help catch the thief, and I’ll make the deal more interesting. Andrew,” she concluded and headed out the way she’d come in.

At least they had the job if they could prove they were worth it.

“Does she know you’re the one who put me away?” Ford asked.

“Maybe. I don’t know her that well, but she doesn’t leave much to chance. When Dalton suggested us working together, she probably looked into it. Are you surehehasn’t?”

“He promised he wouldn’t. Said he’d rather wear me down to tell him about my past myself.”

“So, why don’t you? He already knows you’re Artifice.”

“You never proved—”

“We could just tell him—”

“And explain why we lied in the beginning by admittingwhat?Unless you want him to find out about usfuckingaround, as you put it. Or would you really prefer that part ends?”

Andrew felt warm all over just from the power of Ford’s stare. He shouldn’t give in, not again, but he couldn’t stop wondering what that ‘next time’ might be like.

“That magnet is two-hundred times stronger than anything in a 100-mile radius.”

“No way!”

Andrew lurched backward far more swiftly than he had when Vallancourt came in, but before Dalton and Kevin could return fully, he subtly shook his head. He didn’t want it to end.

Ford grinned.

“Dude,” Kevin said good-naturedly when they reached the table, each carrying several documents and pieces of equipment, “the universe has almost made up for creating you,” he pointed at Ford, “by creating him. Kid Cunning is awesome!”