The Prada Paradox by Julie Kenner

Author:Julie Kenner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pocket Books
Published: 2007-12-04T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

Blake stood firm, determined to stand his ground.

“Maybe he’s right,” Devi said. “Maybe we should be sure. The coin’s pretty gunky, after all. What if it’s not the clue at all? What if it’s been in the water for months and months?”

It was a good argument, and Blake waited, watching Andy’s face. He could tell the other man didn’t like having his authority questioned—he was the one with all the experience in the game—but at the same time, what Devi said made sense. And after a few moments, Andy nodded. “All right. We look around some more and see if we find something else that might be a clue. But no more than half an hour. We can’t afford to waste any of your time.”

He said the last to Devi. She pressed her lips together and nodded agreement. Then Andy turned to Blake. “And I think you can leave now.”

“Drop the argument, Andy,” Blake said. “I’m not going anywhere, and if you keep beating that horse, you’re just wasting more of the time she has to find the antidote.”

“Blake…” That from Devi. “Please go. I don’t like you here. What if—”

“I’m not terribly concerned with what you like and don’t like,” he said, reaching the end of his patience. “Because I like that pretty head on your shoulders. And for that matter, I’m rather fond of the rest of you.” He allowed himself one quick glance over the rest of her, was rewarded with a quick brush of her teeth over her lower lip, a sure sign she knew exactly what he was thinking.

“I’m fond of all your various parts, too,” she said, managing to make the statement sound matter-of-fact and not lascivious. “And that’s why I want you the hell out of here.”

“Too late. I’m already involved.” He held his hands out to his sides. “I’m a lost cause.”

“No.” The word came out barely a whisper, and the tears he saw filling her eyes began to erode his stony determination. “Blake, please. You might still be safe. It’s the middle of the night. Maybe no one knows you’re here. Please. Please go.”

The desperation in her voice cut through his heart, but he wasn’t willing to back down. He had left her once; he wasn’t doing it again.

She stared him down, then sighed. “Fine. Stay until we’re sure about the clue. But after that, you have to leave. Please, Blake. For me.”

It was the pain in her voice that finally got him, and he nodded. “All right,” he said. But the truth was, he kept his fingers crossed. No way was he making that kind of promise. He might leave the area, but he damn sure wasn’t leaving her.

He glanced at her, certain she knew what he was thinking, and thankful she didn’t call him on it.

Andy looked at each of them in turn, his expression grave. “Come on, already. The clock is ticking, and for all we know some overeager security guard is going to find us here. A guard,” he said, “or worse.

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