Page 210 of Bad Attitude
“Because he loves you.”
My heart forgets how to beat for several long seconds, then starts again at a speed designed to catch up for what it missed. I watch three cars drive by before I can find my words, and refute Kurt’s seriously flawed logic. “Whether or not he does—”
“—he does—”
“—doesn’t change the fact that I told him I never wanted to see him again.”
“Did he accept that?”
I pause. I’m not entirely sure. “Maybe? I don’t know.”
“Good,” Kurt says. “Smart man.”
“Could you stop fucking saying that?”I’mthe injured party here. Why doesn’t Kurt supportme? “It sounds as if you like him or something.”
“I’ll admit, he’s been growing on me for a while.”
Me too, damn it. “Yeah? Well, he’s a lying sack of shit that drugged me, kidnapped me, and—”
“Did he now?” Kurt sounds amused. “That’s not very FBI of him. Did he read you your Miranda rights?”
“…No…”
“Drugging without consent is assault. Kidnapping is a felony too. Your Declan is either a very naughty boy or seriously infatuated with you. Which do you think it is?”
I bite at my lip.
He’s both. Very much both. “Hardly the point.” Very much the point.
“Well, anyway, it doesn’t sound like you’ve done anything I didn’t expect you to do.”
“What?” I’m saying that word way too much. But it’s been a long day, and it’s only mid-afternoon. “Can you please explain?”
“Let me ask you one question, first. Where’s the hardware wallet?”
“In my pocket.”
“Uh-huh. Which means the diamonds are in your other pocket?Bothbags?”
“Yes…” I have a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. “How did you know?”
“He gave them to you, didn’t he? He didn’t need to, did he?” It’s Kurt’s turn to speak slowly. “Because he loves you, Genesis.”
Shit.
“Forget Declan,” I mutter.As if I could.“Where are you? I want these things off my hands.”
“I’m on my way back. I’ll be in LA in a couple of hours. Why don’t you go home, get some rest, think things over? I’ll see you tomorrow at the unit.”
“Yeah, real smart. What if Declan is on his way to the FBI office in LA right now?”
“I’m willing to wager any stakes you like that he isn’t.”
I wish I had even half his confidence.
“Fine, whatever.” I sigh. “Oh… I might’ve panicked Tasha. I think she’s pouring gasoline over the unit as we speak.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll talk to her. Don’t lose that black box, please.”
