Midnight Betrayal (Midnight #3)(74)

What if the next time she faced a traumatic event, he couldn’t talk her down? What if she shut him out again? Could he take that? Last night had demonstrated how little he knew about her. She was about as open as a fire safe. His gaze traveled the long corridor. He didn’t even know how much her apartment was worth.

And with his brain backfiring, all that came out of his mouth was a lame explanation. “We have nothing in common.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m a regular guy. I work till three in the morning. I get one day off a week, and I usually spend it doing laundry and working on my car. What did you do for fun as a kid?”

“Before my mother died, we went sailing. I had a pony, and she used to take me to horse shows.” Comprehension dawned in her eyes.

“Is this about money?”

“Not exactly.”

“Is that what you think of me? That I’m superficial and only care about things like sailboats?” Louisa’s face reddened with anger.

“I meant that we’re fundamentally different—”

Her glare cut him off. Uh-oh. He could feel her anger, her hurt, sizzle through the air.

She held her purse against her body like armor, like a shield, protecting her from him. “I don’t need you to be rich. Frankly, I have more than enough money of my own. I work for a living anyway. Do you know why?”

The question felt rhetorical, and Conor kept his mouth shut. He could barely move, but he bet he could still get his motorcycle boot into his mouth if he said a word.

“Because it isn’t enough. I’m not going to deny I like having money. I’ve never appreciated my fortune more than this week. I’m grateful I can afford this very secure building. But money isn’t everything.”

Conor swallowed and croaked, “I just—”

“Seriously, I love to vacation in Europe. I’d love to share my favorite places with you. If your ego can stand it.”

His ego had been given a good bitch slap, and a well-deserved one at that.

“I can’t believe, after a lifetime of dodging men who are interested only in my money, I find the one man who doesn’t want it.”

“I didn’t say—”

But she wasn’t finished. “I’m falling for you, and if that isn’t enough, then there’s nothing I can do.”

Falling for him? Was she implying the L word?

Stunned, Conor took two steps across the foyer. “It’s more than enough. Look, I’m not perfect. I can’t pretend I’m totally comfortable with our basic differences.” He gestured between them. “I wasn’t prepared for this.”

“Oh.” She let the purse drop to her side, but her posture remained tense. “I’m sorry I freaked out.”

She leaned her forehead against his chest for a few seconds, then pushed away. “I need to get to work.”

He opened the door for her. “Will you be all right here alone tonight while I’m at work?”

“It’s a safe building.”

“OK, but don’t let that lower your guard. Don’t let anyone in. Not even someone you know. Especially someone you know.” Conor locked up behind them. “I won’t make it back until about three a.m.”

“You don’t have to come back here if that’s not what you want.”

“It’s what I want.” He took her hand, but the tension in her muscles remained.

Of course, she had just made a major emotional revelation, and he’d totally backpedaled. What was his problem? It wasn’t like him to be such a f*cking coward.

They took the elevator to the ground floor and walked toward the door.

A dark sedan was parked illegally at the curb in front of her building. Detectives Ianelli and Jackson got out of the vehicle.

Jackson stepped in front of them, halting their progress. Kirra growled softly. Maybe the dog wasn’t useless as a protector.

“We need to talk with you both.” Jackson nodded at the building behind them.

Louisa’s breakfast tumbled. “What’s wrong?”

Jackson frowned. “Isa Dumont is missing.”





28


Louisa called April to let her know she’d be late. She didn’t say why.

Back in her apartment, Detective Jackson didn’t waste any time. He’d barely sat down when he started. “Isa Dumont was supposed to be at her parents’ house for dinner last night. She didn’t show up. Knowing everything that has been happening, her parents immediately started looking for her. No one has seen her since she left the university library at seven. Her car was found in the parking lot at nine o’clock.”

“Oh no.” Louisa sank onto a chair. Disappointment from her argument with Conor was swept aside with new grief. Standing next to her, grim-eyed, Conor squeezed her shoulder in a silent message. Tell him.

She clenched her hands in her lap. “I have something to tell you about Blaine Delancey.”

Jackson’s brow rose with interest. Ianelli leaned forward and rested his forearms on his thighs, his black eyes focused on her. He would miss nothing.

Telling her story was no easier than it had been last night. “I always assumed I simply couldn’t tolerate alcohol, but now I know that isn’t the case.”