From Sanctum with Love (Masters and Mercenaries #10)(52)

Her mouth turned down. “They’re not all that way. Some of those developers work hard. Some of them use that money to pull their families out of poverty. You can’t always judge a book by its cover, you know.”

Definitely protective. But definitely not honest. “I don’t know. I only know what I see in the media.”

“The media often paints people in a bad light,” she said primly. “It depends on what they think will sell. They’re all about making money these days. No one seems interested in real journalism.”

“How’s the job going?”

According to her paperwork, she was a receptionist at a dental office. He, of course, knew her status as a freelance reporter. He had to wonder about that. He thought Big Tag and Case were too quick to think she was a Collective plant. Their own tragedy might be clouding their judgment in this case.

“Great. It’s really nice. Keeps me busy.” She leaned forward, her eyes on the pan. “I think the work you do is extraordinary. It’s important to help people. Not many people get that. It’s a calling, I think. People like doctors and therapists and the ones who put themselves on the line to get to the truth. Sorry, I’m still waking up. I’m probably not making a ton of sense. I just wanted you to know I admire you.”

And she felt guilty about lying to him. He would also bet she felt a kinship with him. It was there in the way she held herself as though she wanted to tell him her secret, thought he perhaps would understand. He added the egg mixture now that the spinach had gotten nice and soft and the ham was warm. “It’s important to help people in more ways than one. We all do our part. I’m sure you’re very good at helping people who are scared. A lot of people hate going to the dentist. You give them the proper facts and then they’re not so scared.”

She nodded. “Yes. Information is very powerful. I’m glad you get that.”

“Information can transform the world.” He was definitely getting to her. She was dying to tell someone. He wondered if she’d told Sarah, but he would bet she hadn’t.

“It can be very important. Sometimes people aren’t what they seem and it takes someone willing to stand up and tell the truth to make justice work the way it should.”

“What are we really talking about, Mia?”

She bit her bottom lip, but a light came into her eyes. He knew that light. It was determination, pure and simple. She’d made a decision. She was going to spill.

“Hey, brother. I thought I’d find you here.” His brother strode in, a smile on his face like he hadn’t been out partying like a rock star into the wee hours of the morning. Hell no. Not Jared Johns. He was practically glowing.

He was fairly certain his brother used some serious moisturizer. And Kai wanted to punch him in his cosmetically perfect face. He’d almost had Mia talking and now she was shut down. It was right there in the stiffness of her body, the way her arms crossed over her chest as though she needed protection.

“Aren’t you supposed to be at McKay-Taggart this morning?” He’d made a schedule for his brother, one that kept him busy most of the time and out of Kai’s hair. He’d also thought about the fact that if Jared bugged Ian too much, Big Tag might take care of his problem.

Jared gestured back toward the living room. “Your friend came looking for you so he gave me a ride here. I’m trying to get into character so I’m avoiding limos like the plague. According to Big Tag, they’re for douchebags.”

So Ian was already f*cking with Jared. That was inevitable. He glanced back and Case Taggart was standing in the doorway, his massive body filling the space.

“I went to your office to find out if Kori’s all right,” Case said, his eyes going to Mia. “Hello, Mia. I’m surprised to find you here. Shouldn’t you be at work?”

She slid off her barstool. “I was getting ready to go. Kai, it turns out I don’t have time for breakfast. Thanks, anyway. I have a train to catch.”

Case didn’t move. “Or I could take you. I’ll drop you off wherever you like.”

Mia stopped, as though wary. “Really?”

Case nodded. “Of course. I’m sorry. We got off on the wrong foot. I’ve been sharp with you and I apologize.”

“You’ve been a complete *,” she argued.

“Then let me make it up to you. Let me give you a ride to work.” Where he would likely follow her to see where she went because Mia didn’t work at the place she said she did. It looked like Case was taking a play from his brothers’ book. Charm. It was so much easier to catch flies with honey or a smile and the promise of pleasure.

Mia softened, her eyes lighting a bit. “If it’s not out of your way.”

“Not at all.” Case was working. Kai was certain she could have said she needed to go to Oklahoma and Case would have claimed he was going that way, too.

Thank god. One less thing for him to deal with. Where the hell was Kori? If she’d slipped out, he was going to spank her.

He flipped the omelet and then slid it on the plate.

“It’s raining men in here today,” Sarah said with a smile as she looked over at Jared. “Can I get you some coffee?”

There was no way to miss how Jared’s eyes slid over Sarah’s curves. “I’ll take anything you have, honey. And I like it strong.”