Bed of Lies. Paula Roe

she asked, surprised.

      “Look, it’s not personal.”

      At her blatant skepticism, his expression twisted in annoyance. “Gino’s investments took a big hit in the financial crisis, the casino’s been hemorrhaging cash and the gaming commission probe scared a lot of people off. I need to sell quickly and quietly so I can get back to my job. Now, unless you have a spare couple of million hanging around, that rules you out.”

      Her initial surprise quickly transformed into irritation. “So nothing matters except protecting your reputation?”

      “Do not—” he narrowed his eyes “—presume to judge me, Beth. We still don’t know why you’re involved here.”

      “Well, it’s obviously just a massive coincidence.”

      His silence and flat expression told her what he thought of that. “I can offer you a good price for your lease.”

      She blinked. He wanted her gone that badly he was willing to buy her out? “I don’t want to leave. I want my house.”

      The elevator doors opened then and he walked out without a word.

      Wow. Talk about shutting her down. She watched his long legs eat up the distance, taking him farther away with each stride until he paused and turned.

      “Coming?”

      His voice echoed in the great concrete cavern. A thousand different retorts, all considered then discarded, formed as she stalked toward him.

      Her phone rang then, but he suddenly grabbed her arm.

      She hissed, twisting in his warm grip. “What do you—”

      “Shh. Something’s not right.”

      “But—”

      “Move. Now.”

      Her eyes went in the direction of his nod, to the fire stairs nestled in a concrete alcove, then widened.

      And all hell broke loose.