Page 85 of Three Steps Behind

“What’s tomorrow?”

“Get showered, into comfy PJs, and settled in, then we’ll chat.”

She nodded and strode to her apartment and did as she knew best, hoping Dalton bought it.

The realization he was listening to her every move creeped the heck out of her.

Aubry paced the floor, creaks in the boards signaling each movement. How long did it take to shower and pretend to climb into bed?

His watch read 2300. She’d been gone forty-five minutes. Should he go in? Was she okay? Was she refusing to come back? She was stubborn enough to do it.

He was about to march over, acting like the neighbor out of flour or eggs or whatever it was neighbors asked for.

Knock. Knock. Knock. Silence. Knock. Knock. Knock.

Finally. He sighed with relief and opened the door to find Bristol in a pair of PJs. She looked adorable and so different without the expensive high heels, slim-fitting dresses, and striking red lipstick she typically wore. She looked natural and even more beautiful.

She frowned. “What are you staring at? You told me to get into PJs.”

“I did. Come on in. Can I get you anything?”

“Something hot to drink would be great.”

“I’ve got coffee, but it’ll probably keep you up, and I’m sure you need your sleep.”

“I can drink coffee and be asleep within minutes. Caffeine doesn’t affect me that way.”

“Okay, coffee it is.”

He made two cups as he briefed her fast and tight on tomorrow’s plan and the pending appearance of his boss, Baxter, then carried them over to the couch where she’d taken a seat, making herself feel at home. He liked that she could fit into any environment. Liked her assertiveness, her bold confidence. He just wished he wasn’t a special agent and she a con.

“Coffee for you?” She arched a brow as he settled into an armchair. “Won’t it keep you up tonight?”

“That’s the plan.”

“Come again?”

“I want to know how closely Dalton is watching you. I have a feeling a car will be showing up outside any minute.”

Her gazed darted to the curtained window. “You think he’s onto me?”

“No. Net yet, anyway. As difficult as it must be, just continue to be yourself with him.”

A sly smile crossed her lips and a near chuckle pursed them. She never was herself, was she? Not her true self, and it made his heart ache. What had that been like as a child? Clearly the need to wear a mask, to hide herself from the people around her, lingered.

But despite the obviously poor examples her parents had set, Bristol had chosen the same life, though she had different limits. Her parents conned people who couldn’t afford it. While Bristol only conned those who could—those who would probably never miss the money and always those who’d amassed it in one illegal manner or another. She targeted criminals, sort of like how her siblings went after criminals, though their moral compass pointed north from all he’d learned.

“What about your siblings?” he asked.

She stiffened. “What about them?”

“Do they know you’re out? Do they know about Dalton?”

“They don’t know if I’m dead or alive,” she said, her jaw tight.

He shifted in his seat, studying her. “Why not?”

“That’s a ship that sailed long ago.”