The Soldier Spies (Men at War 3)

Surprising himself, he lowered his head and kissed her hair.

“It’s humiliating, having to tell you,” Gisella said.

“Why?” he said. “You were forced to be with him.”

“Not that much,” Gisella said.

“You fell in love with him?” he asked.

“Something like that was impossible,” she said.

“Are you still in love with him?” he asked, with a valiant effort to sound dispassionate.

Gisella pushed herself off him and looked down at him.

“Would you believe me if I told you ‘no’?”

“Yes,” he said.

“Then ‘no.’”

“I’m glad,” he said.

She threw herself into his arms again.

“What the hell is it all about?” she asked plaintively.

“It’s one of two things, I think,” he said. “He—they—either want something from your father, or they want to get him, maybe both of you, out of Germany.”

“I have been asking Father to come up with some connection with Eric,” Gisella said. “But he simply doesn’t remember him.”

“I’ll have to have a go at that,” he said.

“With my father?”

“Yes.”

“He pretends he doesn’t know about Peis,” Gisella said. “I don’t know how he’d react if you showed up at the house.”

“We’re going to have to find out,” he said.

“I suppose,” she said.

They lapsed into silence.

Two minutes later, Müller said,“You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”

“That’s an elaborate compliment,” Gisella said. “When men pay elaborate compliments, they generally want someth

ing.”

He felt his face flush.

“Does that mean you want to make love?” Gisella asked.

“It didn’t,” he said, taken back, hurt. “But yes, I do,” he added defiantly.

“Good,” she said, pushing herself erect and looking down at him again. “I was afraid you would go to sleep on me.” She saw the look on his face. “Why are you so surprised?”