Read Online Blind Faith by Rebecca Zanetti - Free Book Online Page B

leaving town.”
    “No.” She ate more of the pasta, wondering how far Nate would go. “I’ll get the information for you,
    but the commander is probably waiting for you, and I can’t leave DC yet.”
    “Why not?”
    She shrugged. “I have business.”
    “Committing fraud to fund the commander and your mother?” Nate tossed his napkin down.
    “Yes.”
    His gaze narrowed. The seconds ticked by, and Audrey struggled to remain still and unaffected as he
    studied her. She ate slowly, no longer tasting the delicious meal.
    Finally, he cocked his head to the side. “You just lied.”
    “No, I didn’t.” Although her one little word skirted the truth, didn’t it? “You’ve lost your touch.”
    “Think so?” he whispered, pushing back from the table.
    Intrigue skittered down her back. “Yes.” She placed her napkin over the nearly empty bowl.
    “Interesting.” For such a large man, Nate moved with surprising grace around the table, where he
    dropped to his haunches and reached for the zipper on her boot. “I didn’t get a chance to study your leg
    when it was around my hip in the hotel room. Let’s take a moment here.”
    “No.” The word exploded from her, and she tried to scoot back in the chair. “Let go.”
    His grip remained strong and sure. “I want to see the damage I caused.” While the words remained
    steady, his eyes swirled with a fatalistic regret.
    “You didn’t know I was at the compound when you detonated the explosives,” she said softly, placing
    her hand over his and leaning toward him. He’d changed, and not just physically. The old Nate was full of
    fun and hope for the future. This one? Raw determination with no hope. The reality of that hurt something
    deep inside her.
    She’d sacrificed for him to find a life, and how dare he give up? “We’ll find the codes to save you.”
    He lifted a shoulder. “I promised my brothers I’d get the code to save them, and I will.”
    The words he left out said a lot more than the ones he’d used. She held him tighter. “What about you?”
    His gaze fastened on their hands. “Let me see, Audrey.”
    “That wasn’t an answer.” She lifted his chin with her free hand, stubble scratching her palm. “You’re
    not a coward. Stop acting like giving up is okay—I demand more from you than that.”
    “That’s all you’re getting.” He jerked his head to the side as if her touch burned him.
    Hurt and anger shoved her back in the chair. “Fine. You want answers? Ask the questions, but let my
    fucking leg go.”
    One dark eyebrow rose. “You’ve got quite the mouth on you now, don’t you?”
    “You have no idea.” She needed space. On his haunches, he met her gaze evenly while trapping her in
    place. Her nipples peaked in interest. “Let’s go into the living room.”
    “No.” He remained in place. “Tell you what. I’ll ask questions, and if you tell the truth, I won’t move. If
    you lie to me again, I’m going to remove an article of your clothing, starting with this boot.”
    Alarm and fury threatened to choke her, so she forced a sarcastic smile. “I didn’t know you were into
    sex games, soldier.”
    His smile beat hers in sarcasm, hands down. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me. Wanna learn?”
    Man, she’d love to meet his bluff. Except, Nate didn’t bluff. “If I scream, those men watching me will
    come running.”
    “You try to scream, and I’ll be on you before one sound escapes.” A tension of a different sort cascaded
    from him, all but dampening her panties. Sexual need filled the tiny apartment, leavening the very oxygen.
    What in the world was wrong with her? “You’re an ass.”
    “I’m glad we understand each other.” He reached for the zipper of her leather boot. “Question number
    one. Where’s the commander’s new base?”
    “Thirty miles outside of Dillwyn.” Her free foot twitched with the need to kick him in the face.
    “Kick me, and we’ll do this naked,” he said, eyes