Deadly Testimony (Safeguard #2)(34)

“A good vantage point is crucial.” She muttered as they walked. Her volume had dropped even lower and her gaze swept across the street and up the buildings. “The choice isn’t just about effectively eliminating your target.”

“No?” He took the opportunity to lean his head close as they walked. His lips brushed her hair but she didn’t seem to notice. Or if she did, she was allowing it to pass. He’d prefer the latter rather than the former even if the former was more of a challenge. For some reason, being close to her was a heady thing, irresistible.

“It’s not like on television or in the movies where the barrel of the gun is right up against the edge of a roof or windowsill. We’re looking for cover when we choose a position, with enough depth for us to shoot from. Preferably one with a broad view of the area we’re targeting.” She leaned her head against his upper arm then and it struck him how petite she was.

Oh, he’d been around her for over twenty-four hours by this point but her sheer presence was larger than life.

“So a rooftop isn’t the first choice. Understood.”

“Well, not here, in any case.” She used her free hand to point out a few buildings with particularly interesting architecture as they walked. Just another pair of tourists. “There are too many taller buildings around them. We like areas with a lot of potential spots to choose from because it makes it harder to figure out which one we’re actually shooting from, but we don’t like to choose anything where there are other nearby points from higher ground.”

“Too exposed?” It seemed like a reasonable guess.

She paused, fixing her hair as she used her reflection in another storefront window as a mirror. “If there’s another shooter nearby, the one with the higher ground tends to come out of the situation alive.”

No need to guess about the fate of the other.

After a moment, she took his hand again and they continued to the corner. As they crossed the street, she remained silent, tense. They walked at the same steady pace but there was a vibrating sort of excitement to her touch now.

“Here we go.” He bent his arm so that her hand rested in the crook on the inside of his elbow.

Her fingers squeezed his arm lightly in response.

As they entered the building, Kyle let his expression settle into a lazy, mildly friendly smile. It was generally a good idea to be on good terms with security. It made getting to business meetings smoother.

A disgruntled security person could make the visitor badge and check-in process draw out until there was no hope of reaching a meeting on time.

“Mr. Yeun, it’s been a while.” An older man stood up from his seat behind the small security desk.

“Too long. I’m glad to be working on a new project.” Kyle widened his smile and reached for his wallet, pulling out his driver’s license.

“Oh, no need, Mr. Yeun. I’ve got you in the system. Will you be here all day?” The man busily snagged a label from the miniature printer and assembled a temporary badge.

“No, this is just a quick visit before we have an official project kickoff. I was in the area on other business and decided to stop in.”

The security guard’s gaze took in Lizzy and returned to Kyle. The older man gave him a wink. “Ah, well then, why don’t I put together a visitor badge for the lady as long as you promise to be her escort.”

Kyle solemnly placed his right hand over his chest. “You have my word.”

The guard laughed. “I trust you, but, miss, you should watch out for this guy. He’s a tough catch.”

Kyle raised an eyebrow. He didn’t refute the commentary. It was a familiar type of bantering. Minutes later, they were through the security gate and headed for the elevator.

“I’m guessing I’m not the first lady you’ve had with you when you’ve ducked in for a quick meeting?” Lizzy’s tone was teasing, in line with her role as his date.

For the day.

It was who he was and not anything he’d ever hidden. He had many companions and never committed to one. A day, an evening, mutually enjoyed but with no strings attached. It was how he preferred his liaisons and he had no regrets. And yet, her question was one he was loath to respond to, even as a joke.

Finally, he murmured quietly, “Work always takes priority. If someone wants to spend time with me, it is a required understanding that occasionally these things happen. However, this is distinctly different and I am following your lead. You are a completely new experience for me in any number of ways.”

He cocked his head at an angle and watched for her reaction. For her part, she glanced away before he could spot the telltale blush he was coming to hope for.

As they approached the elevator, Lizzy recovered and applied slight pressure to his arm as she spoke at normal conversation volume, “If you don’t mind, I’m trying to hit my step goal on my fitness tracker. Could we take the stairs? Please?”





Chapter Twelve

It didn’t take long to climb the flight of stairs up to the fourth floor, but Lizzy took them farther up to the top of the building. By the time they’d finished the quiet climb, Kyle’s thighs were burning and he resolved to add stairs at least once a week to his workouts.

The contrast between the developed third floor and this one hit him first when air rushed past as they opened the heavy fire door from the stairwell.