Assassin Deception Read Online Free PDF Page B

unable to locate her until she had permitted it. Not many had eluded James for any length of time. Dirk had been a marvelous teacher, brilliant really.
    Chloe had spent many nights listening to his ‘special’ stories of how to avoid detection of others, skilled others. His lectures were thorough and fascinating—his rendition of bedtime stories. She had hung onto and remembered every word, then put her abilities to good use.
    “I had recently lost my job and decided it wasn’t a field I wanted to be in after all. It just wasn’t challenging enough, I was bored. I went wandering to different places, trying to reconnect with myself,” Chloe said innocently.
    James was studying her shrewdly. It was subtle, almost undetectable, but her eye flickered quickly before she could control it. James was too much the professional not to see it for what it was. She knew he could tell she was lying.
    “You’re in some kind of trouble!” he declared, looking horrified. “Damn it! I knew I should have kept a man on you at all times. Are you in danger?” He sat straighter in his chair, alarmed, his dinner forgotten.
    “It’s nothing, really,” Chloe protested immediately. She reached over to clasp his hand, trying to soothe his outrage.
    * * * *
    Dirk could see the tension build within his father. He knew where his father’s anger would be directed. It was he who had suggested they give Chloe some space.
    “I knew I should have brought you back sooner, kicking and screaming if need be. So much for giving a loved one some space.” James retorted the last sarcastically, while glaring at Dirk.
    “Calm down, Dad. Give her a chance,” Dirk said patiently.
    “You mean give her some space! ” James again thundered sarcastically.
    “James, it was nothing really, just a little harassing note. I really was bored with my job and took it as a sign to travel for a while,” Chloe soothed.
    “What kind of harassing note?” Dirk said, instantly on the defensive. The woman in front of him was family, like a baby sister. No one harassed his baby sister.
    “It was meaningless. I threw it away and forgot all about it,” Chloe said, somewhat evasively and a touch too bubbly.
    Dirk could see her sudden agitation. She wasn’t fooling him; she had been afraid. His protective streak fired up and already he was planning on what men to have handy to secure the home for the evening. He would send a few others out first thing to gather information. Right after dinner he would sequester Chloe away in a room and demand she remember what the note said. His powers of persuasion could not be denied. He would be relentless.
    Looking around at the others, he could see now was neither the time nor the place. Chloe had just returned home. He could see Candy’s eagerness on getting better acquainted with her, as were the other women and his son-in-law. Damien was scowling and hovering closer to her protectively, guarding her. Glancing at his father, he could tell the man was agitated. It would not do to upset everyone needlessly.
    “So did you find yourself?” Dirk asked her somewhat cheekily, trying to lighten the atmosphere, taking control of the conversation and redirecting it.
    Beneath his calm persona, he was planning. His mind was working at a furious rate. She was going to tell him everything. It wouldn’t take much. After all, she was only a helpless female and used to obeying his commands, following his orders without the slightest hesitation. It wouldn’t take long to get to the bottom of this.
    * * * *
    Chloe sat stubbornly, a deep scowl on her face. She crossed her arms over her chest, a chest that was heaving in frustration. Her look was dark. Dirk ran a cool hand over his face in agitation.
    “Let’s try this once more,” Dirk began.
    “Dirk, I’m tired,” Chloe whined.
    “Then work with me,” Dirk demanded through gritted teeth. Damn! When had she gotten so infuriatingly like a woman! Dirk regarded her intensely, then sighed.