I lift my chin. “I came across an ad for a revenge job, and I took it.” I shrug. “I knew I’d be good at it, and I was.”
I leave out some finer details, like how the adrenaline-inducing danger surrounding my work is the only thing that penetrates the nonfeeling parts of me. That’s not a great conversational piece. Admittedly, Alex has gotten me to open up more in the first five minutes of talking to him than I have to just about anyone else.
That realization is curious, and a little alarming—and somewhat thrilling in its own way. This is different. I haven’t experienced different in a while.
His gaze holds mine, resolute. “You might be the most decisive person I’ve ever met.”
“What can I say? Vengeance is my ethos. It suits me.”
“So ultimately, it is about the money.”
I nod in affirmation. “Sometimes, it’s just that simple.”
“And what did our friend Ericson do to earn a spot on your list?”
“I don’t discuss clients or targets,” I say. “It’s unfortunate enough that you know who he is.”
“Come on,” he prods. “Who am I going to tell? I’m in a lab all day and talk to molecules and cells.”
I stay firm. “Absolutely not. You don’t want to get involved in this, Alex.”
His mouth tips into an endearing grin.
“What?” I ask.
“I like how you said my name. Sounds like we’re friends.”
I reach for my mug. “You need to guard yourself better.” I drain the rest of the now-cold cappuccino. “Or else you’ll keep winding up in supply closets.”
He watches me while he drinks the rest of his coffee. The waitress offers us a refill and I shake my head. “Just the check. Thanks.”
“You don’t have to cover me,” Alex says.
“It’s the least I can do,” I say, reaching into my tote. “I mean, after I drugged you and all.” I pause while holding my billfold. “Although you did botch my job…”
“For that, I’m sorry I got in the way,” he says, but that little grin conveys he’s not sorry in the least.
I pay the tab and put my credit card away in my bag. “It was…interesting to meet you, Dr. Alex Chambers. Have a nice life, and try not to end up on my list.”
“Wait—” He goes to reach for my wrist, but holds his hand up at the last moment. “Sorry. Reflex. But I’m a quick learner. No touching.”
Halted, I stare down at him. Waiting.
“When can I see you again?” he asks.
I bite the corner of my lip. Does this guy have a death wish, or is he just that bored with his life? “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“Alex…” I sigh. “Look, you’re a clever guy. And honestly, I’m tempted to offer you some kind of monetary compensation for that application you developed. It’s definitely a program that interests me. But—”
“But you’re not interested in making new friends.”
“I don’t do friends. Like you, I work a very solitary job. I happen to like it that way.”
He considers this a moment, then: “But I know who you are, Blakely. I know what you do. I’m a loose end…just dangling out here in the wild.”
I sit back down. “Are you trying to blackmail me? Just for the record, that’s a terrible way to try to make a friend.” Even so, I’m curious to find out just what he thinks he has on me.