Hard As Ice (Fortis Series 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Lucas and Sam disconnected their video feed. Evan checked his watch and he turned to face his team.
    “Okay, I have my assistant from DaCosta Solutions on her way here to play her role,” he told them. “Let’s turn on the surveillance for the parlor in my suite. I’ll keep James waiting for about thirty minutes. Let’s see what she does with that free time. Maybe we’ll get lucky, and she’ll make a very informative phone call.”
    He then studied the video feed now available for the living area of his suite to understand the scope of the monitoring.
    “Okay, showtime,” he declared. “Let’s connect later tonight to see if we have any progress.”
     
     
    An hour later, Evan was sitting across from Nia James discussing his father’s death. The best cover stories were always based on the truth.
    “Did he have heart problems?” Nia asked.
    Though she held the wineglass as they spoke, she had only taken two sips. But her posture had gradually relaxed over the last fifteen minutes. Where originally she had been perched at the edge of her seat, both feet planted flat, she now had her legs crossed toward him and leaned against the back cushion. Evan could sense that she was still on guard, but no longer ready to bolt.
    “No, not that we were aware of. Honestly, if he had experienced anything, I don’t think he would have told us. My dad was not one to share the burden.”
    “That must have been hard on your mom,” she surmised.
    “Yeah, I suppose. They were together a long time and he traveled a lot for the business. I think they just fell into a routine.”
    “His sudden death must have been a shock.”
    He nodded, a frown wrinkling his brow. How had they gotten into such an intimate and honest conversation about his life? His father?
    “I’m sure you’ve seen and heard your share of family drama in the auction business,” he replied, shifting direction. “How long have you been doing it?”
    “Almost a year,” she replied. “I was in retail jewelry before that. And I have seen some pretty interesting situations. Death and divorce doesn’t always mix well with money and inheritance.”
    “Yet they go hand in hand,” he murmured.
    “Unless you just avoid them,” she stated with a teasing grin. “Except money, of course.”
    Evan laughed. “Of course.”
    His eyes were drawn to her red-stained lips, and the glossy white of her teeth. She was even prettier when she smiled like that. It was almost wicked. He liked it.
    “Is that what you’re doing?” he probed.
    “What do you mean?” she asked, though she was sharp enough to know exactly what he meant.
    “You’re not wearing a ring, so I have to assume you’re not married. Is that your plan to live forever? Avoid marriage and all its messy complication?”
    She raised a brow, and he felt scolded before she even responded. Though he could tell she was still amused.
    “I’m not sure that’s an appropriate question, Mr. DaCosta. Or a feasible plan.”
    He laughed again.
    “So I’m back to ‘Mr. DaCosta,’ am I? Well, I’ll just have to work my way back to being Evan.”
    Nia narrowed her eyes dramatically, letting him know she was onto his flirty game and was not having any of it. She was clearly used to effectively dealing with even the most subtle advances. Evan was suddenly eager to find out what she’d do when he really turned it on.
    There was a knock at the door.
    “This should be dinner,” he stated, standing up. “Why don’t we eat the table?”
    Two of the hotel waitstaff entered the room to set the table and lay out their meals. Evan watched Nia remove her suit jacket to drape it over the back of the dining chair before she sat down. Underneath, she wore a silk tunic in pale lavender with a draping scoop neck. The feminine color made her skin look soft and silky. He suddenly wished she would undo her hair from the tight ponytail so he could see it flowing around her face and shoulders.
    He cleared his throat,