Deadly Testimony (Safeguard #2)(75)

“I appreciate the offer, Mr. Diaz. I’m not certain if I’ll be entering protective custody again...” Kyle glanced at Nguyen. “...or if it is safe to return to my apartment. It’s a bachelor’s home but I’m sure we can make do.”

He hadn’t been expecting his sister and nephew so soon. Hadn’t made the more practical arrangements yet.

Sympathy was there in Diaz’s eyes. “Why don’t we take you to see them, Mr. Yeun? We’re planning to move them from the current location to accommodations more suited to an extended stay. The three of you can spend the night on Centurion Corporation grounds and make long-term arrangements tomorrow morning.”

Nguyen nodded in agreement. So much for protective custody. With his part in the trial over, that must be complete, as well.

Diaz was generous, but Kyle was a businessman first and foremost. No offer was without its hidden assumptions. “Thank you, Mr. Diaz. I am grateful to you and your team for the exemplary services provided thus far. But to be brutally honest, I no longer have employment. While I have significant savings set aside and I was willing to sign a contract with your organization to get me through this trial, I will need to take the time to assess my finances and seek out a new position before I know what further services I can afford.”

“Understandable. I think if you do come back with me to the Centurion Corporation facilities, I may have a few ideas to discuss with you regarding those concerns too.” The man leaned forward slightly, enough to make Kyle eye him warily. “All professional considerations aside, my partner has extended the invitation for you and your family to join the Centurions for dinner. She intends to ask you where you found the pair of shoes you bought for Lizzy. I’ve been informed I’m not allowed to come home without you. Please consider it a personal favor.”





Chapter Twenty-Five

“Isn’t it early to be drinking?” Lizzy studied the pair of glasses on the small table in Diaz’s office. They were new, she thought. Like brandy snifters but slightly taller and narrower. A new bottle of Macallan single malt scotch stood next to them. “What’s the occasion? And is Harte here?”

Diaz wasn’t usually into the whisky, whether it was single malt or blended. He kept some on hand for when Harte was in town.

Chuckling, Diaz came around from his desk. “No. Not today. He’s due in soon though. This’ll be out again.”

“Okay,” she said slowly. “Is this out for me? Seems kind of fancy.”

She wasn’t picky about her drinks. Oh, she liked good cocktails if she was drinking but she wasn’t particular about what kind of vodka she was served when a cocktail called for vodka as long as it was decent.

“Not really.” Diaz nodded at her feet. “What about you? You’re dressed up kind of fancy. What’s the occasion?”

She was not going to blush in front of Diaz. Nope. “Nothing. I just wanted to wear the shoes.”

Because the black heels Kyle had chosen for her were her new favorites and she hadn’t gotten to wear them for long. Sure they’d been picked to pair with a cocktail dress, which she’d gone back to the hotel to retrieve, but the shoes went well with business casual too. The effect was a dressy business casual.

“What? Not used to me going for the dressy look once in a while?” She knew it was defensive body language but she allowed herself to cross her arms over her chest anyway.

Wouldn’t hurt for the guys around the office to start acknowledging she had a feminine side.

Diaz held up his hands, backing away from the topic.

“How’s Marc after the surgery?” She’d gotten the update from Victoria that he’d come through and was resting but she needed to catch up on the long-term impact.

“Alive and already bored.” Diaz didn’t waste time with niceties. “Lost a lot of blood though. Took a lot of time to hunt down the bullet fragments in him. Fragments tore him up inside and did a lot of damage. They’re keeping an eye on him now for infection. It’s going to be a long recovery.”

Ah, shit. Their fire team was well and truly a mess.

“Going to need a new person on our fire team, then?” she asked, then bit the inside of her cheek.

Diaz’s stared her. “Yes. Pending some structural changes to the way this division is organized. Been meaning to talk to you about that. Glad you came in this morning.”

“Figured you’d hunt me down if I didn’t.” She owed him an answer. It wasn’t her style to run from it for too long.

“I’ll listen first, then tell you what changes I’m considering.” Diaz motioned to the two armchairs.

Uh-huh. Sure. Don’t drop any bombs to make her doubt her decision. Only leave her insanely curious. Bastard.

She made herself comfortable in one of the chairs. “I joined Centurion Corporation because I wanted to work in the private sector for a team with the same kind of standards I hold myself to. It’s been a good couple of years. I’ve learned a lot.”

Diaz waited.

“Not going to lie, being in one place for too long made me antsy these last few months. I’ve still got to work through this need to be out there and blow off steam. I thought the personal security work was going to be boring. Didn’t want to lose my edge.”

“Valid concern.” Diaz nodded.