Her Hidden Truth

The .38 now boring a hole in his right temple was loaded. He’d watched Kat check it just minutes ago. Not to mention that there were four more people downstairs who would like nothing better than to blow his head off simply for the sport of it.

He’d just have to wing it.

He focused on Kat’s reflection in the mirror. Her respiration was controlled. That was good. Her expression calm. Also good. But her finger was snugged just a little too tightly around that trigger for comfort.

That was not good.

“What gives, Kitty Kat?” he asked softly, the huskiness in his voice a very real, undeniable result of being alone with her for more than ten seconds, present circumstances not withstanding. “You tired of me already?”

The muzzle pressed even more firmly into his skull. “Who the hell are you and what did you do with the real Vince Ferrelli?”

He didn’t dare move a muscle. In fact, holding his breath seemed like the smart thing to do about now. Her gaze never deviated from her target, not even a fleeting glance in the mirror so that he might read her intent in those big green eyes. He had to assume the worst—that her real memory was somehow scrambled with the implanted one—but hope for the best. He’d been an optimist his whole life, why change now?

“I left him behind. He’s dead.”

Vince didn’t miss the little catch in her breathing when he said the “dead” word. A muscle contracted in his jaw. If this didn’t work—if she was seriously damaged—he was screwed. And Lucas and Casey were going to be extremely disappointed that he hadn’t made it past the first twenty-four hours.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” she demanded tautly, a little something besides anger in her voice. A hint of vulnerability, maybe?

Vince stared at her in the mirror, willing her to look at him with every ounce of determination he possessed, while he told her the truth that had burned in the back of his brain for four endless years. “Because he took you for granted. He didn’t understand that he was screwing up the best thing he’d ever had.” Hesitation slowed him. He’d just been brutally honest and the Kat he’d once known might never know it. “That man no longer exists,” he tacked on for good measure. “I guess you’re stuck with me now.”