Hard to Trust Read Online Free PDF

putting you under arrest, which we both know means they're dropping you into the nearest landfill."
    Her eyes narrowed. "Did they speak Russian?" She shook her head and sighed. "Of course they didn't speak Russian. Why do you think they're after…"
    She didn't finish her thought, and he couldn't help but wonder who else might be after her. This wasn't the time to dwell on nuances. He'd figure that out sooner or later.
    "I'm making an educated guess based on the way they trashed your place. It wasn't a run-of-the-mill burglary."
    "My place is trashed?" she asked and seemed surprised by that information. "Wait a minute. Who are you, and why the hell do you know where I live?"
    "I've been contracted to keep you safe." A little white lie sometimes went a long way. "I peeked in the window of your townhome. They were looking for something. The trashing was thorough. They sent you a clear message."
    "I heard somebody downstairs while I was taking a bath. I skipped out through the bedroom window." She shook her head as if disgusted in revealing so much to him.
    "Someone's breaking into your house and you didn't call the police? Why?" He held up his hand to stop her ready excuse. "Never mind. I already know the answer to that. You're CIA. You don't do mundane things like call the police."
    She huffed out a sigh. "Like you'd call the police if it were your place."
    "Touché."
    "Are you sure you're not one of them trying to lure me into trusting you?"
    "Number one, would I admit that to you in the first place? Number two, who says I'm trying to lure you into anything?" He grasped her arm. "Come with me, and I'll explain everything. We don't have time to argue."
    To his shock, she didn't resist. She didn't exactly comply either, but he'd take what he could get for the time being.
    But they were too late—the guys spotted her and gunned it in their direction. He shoved her into the car as bullets started to fly.
    Man, he hated when that happened.
     
    *  *  *
     
    Tessa was about to go stark raving mad. Why did she ask him if the men spoke Russian? She had no idea why that popped into her brain. Was PTSD giving her flashbacks she had no control of?
    Whoever had broken into her house had been skilled. And now she was trapped in a car with somebody who was driving like a bat out of hell. She grabbed the dashboard as he squealed around the corner. He still hadn't told her his name.
    "Geez, where did you learn to drive?"
    "In Europe, where there's no real speed limits." He grinned and took the next corner on two wheels.
    "Well, there are here. Just how many tickets do you have?"
    "None. But then again, I have friends in high places." He stomped on the gas and charged through a red light.
    Should she call her boss and ask for a safe house or something? She shook her head. No doubt after the fiasco in Afghanistan they'd think she'd gone over that very slippery slope into Crazyland.
    Bad idea. No. Colossally bad idea. Hank didn't care for her much, so coming to him with problems wouldn't be met with a positive outcome. And pressing up through the chain of command wouldn't go well either. Alex was the golden child, and no doubt his loss was somehow blamed on her weaknesses.
    Why should she trust Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome? Maybe because the other guys after her had trashed her place. Allegedly. So far he'd done nothing but flirt with her.
    She couldn't deny some facts. He knew her name, and he seemed to know her habits, and that could only mean one thingno doubt about it, he meant to kill her, despite the smile on his face.
    "Who sent you and why?"
    "I'm an extraction specialist."
    What was he talking about? "Are you part of the government? A SEAL? Special Forces?"
    "No. I'm a for-hire contractor."
    "Well, you're not too sly if what just happened is any indication."
    He blew out a breath. "Stop busting my balls and listen. Your life is in danger, and I've been sent to rescue you."
    She couldn't help but laugh. "I can do my own rescuing,