DEADLY AFFAIR

brary, a room off-limits to the public. Her invitation-slipped discreetly into her clutch

lking into, but curiosity-and t

ow lighting that gave everything a seductive glow. Jazz hummed from an old speaker in

irt sleeves rolled up. He looked more like a man about to co

nna

oorway, tension win

dn't

low, almost amused. "I was begi

stepping inside. "But you made it

across his angular features. His face was the kind that belonged on

cause you

leg over the other, careful to look comfortable without letting

devices toni

e replied.

questions with more precision than most journalists. You don't flin

m doing my job

a job I haven't

warmth didn't qui

nna

erfect posture. A flicker of caution. A gua

now, she

. "If you didn't want mystery, yo

but not invasive. More like... assessment. L

ke. Investigative journalist. Recently exposed a senator in California for launderi

blink. "It

on who

o be next?" sh

guilty of anything, you

ch. It burned just

afraid," h

uld

the dark eventually f

nna

te. But the undertone was there-wo

dn't deny it

nator in photo ops. This version-layered, mysterious,

ere?" she asked. "If you know who I am

d, oddly. He leaned

you ever wonder what it's lik

frow

he continued. "To want something and take it, knowi

onger talki

that what you do, Sena

w, tired smil

time, she saw it-regret. Not manufactured. Not for show

sting than your rep

more dangerous t

r a moment, the fire c

nna

anymore. Flirting and probing, truth laced

e was

o see who was circling. To understand her before sh

e said, setting his glass down. "But you

ze. "Lo

the window. "Good n

d. Just

That

the cool night air

ipulation? W

ow. But one t

asn't a man eas

n the center of it was the tru

was go