Atomic Beauty by Barb Han Page B

on her small tank, she slipped into the cold water.
    The swim around the island shouldn’t take more than ten minutes and would warm her cold limbs. She’d intentionally parked the boat nearby figuring she might need a quick getaway. By the time she swam to the boathouse, her headache began a light tap in her ears.
    The last thing she could afford would be to drop again in front of Jace. She still hadn’t figured out why he hadn’t killed her when he’d the chance.
    There was another thing bugging her. After Jace had figured her out, why had he kept on pretending not to know who she was? He’d played the part in that hallway so convincingly she’d almost doubted herself.
    Or was this a simple game of cat and mouse? Moves and countermoves?
    Erika broke the surface, climbed the post leading to the boathouse and surveyed the area.
    No sign of Jace.

Chapter Eleven
    Jace had to know Erika would arrive at first light. She pulled her weapon, ready for action, ignoring the blinding pain stiffening her neck as she climbed into the boat house.
    A creek sounded from her right. She spun around and saw a dark figure in the corner exactly Jace’s build.
    She readjusted her aim but said nothing.
    â€œI have something that belongs to you.” He held the necklace into the light on the flat of his palm. His voice was a deep rumble in his chest. Damned if she could stop it from wrapping around her, warming her.
    â€œToss it over here.” She didn’t want to acknowledge her heart’s fluttery reaction at hearing his voice. Or how much she missed the feel of his arms around her.
    â€œI know how important it is. I’m sorry I held on to it for so long, I guess it was my only piece of you.” He tossed the peace offering toward her.
    She caught it effortlessly, ignoring the chills running up her arm. She didn’t want to show her weakness. She didn’t want Jace to see how much getting that necklace back meant to her. And maybe she didn’t want to admit to herself how much it meant that he’d brought it back.
    â€œCatching that condom so quickly was how I confirmed you weren’t in Vancouver for my ability to make good coffee.” He motioned toward her hand. “It was the only crack in your facade.”
    Jace would know better than anyone that officers were trained to notice subtlety in everyone around them and especially with their handlers. Catching nearly imperceptible static on a call or the slightest hesitation meant the difference between life and death. Their skills had been honed in the field and their refined instincts kept them in the game.
    She held the necklace in her fist, keeping her gaze trained on him. “Now what?”
    * * *
    â€œThat’s up to you.” Jesus, she was a sight for sore eyes. He’d wanted to come clean before, to tell her everything. Once he’d realized who she was, who her father had been, he knew she’d bolt. Jace hadn’t appreciated the pile of shit he’d stepped in when he’d accepted the assignment a year ago to terminate Sam Carter. Rogue agents, ruthless killers, millions of dollars at stake. And especially what would happen to the agency if the information leaked. It was a fucking nightmare and all trails led to his boss.
    And Jace was about to see if Murdock was dirty.
    Erika was skittish. Scare her again and she might disappear. He stabbed his fingers through his hair. How much could he tell her?
    He’d been in hiding for a year when she’d waltzed in. So fucking beautiful, he couldn’t turn away. He hadn’t been completely sure of whom she was until the condom. But she hadn’t tried to kill him so he’d danced, too.
    Giving up his password had been meant to gain her trust. They could look at the picture files all fuckin’ day and wouldn’t find anything except the message he’d sent to Murdock. The one that said Jace knew what Jack Nile had done and had