Eye for an Eye, an (Heroes of Quantico Book #2): A Novel by Irene Hannon Page B

the area, Emily was convinced Evelyn would spot them before the FBI did.
    “They’ll be around for a few days, I think.”
    “I should hope so, after what that crazy man did to you. How are you feeling today, dear?”
    “Better.” That wasn’t a lie. She hadn’t needed any pain medication yet, and her sleep hadn’t been interrupted by nightmares, as she’d feared.
    “Good. You enjoy that pot roast and call me if you need anything.” “I will. Thank you, Evelyn.”
    She waved a hand in a dismissive gesture. “Just following the Good Book. Do unto others and all that. Why are we here if we can’t help each other? See you later.”
    As Evelyn trotted off, Emily closed the door, secured the lock, and tucked the phone under her arm. It rang again en route to the kitchen, and she shook her head. Good thing she hadn’t tried to sleep in, she reflected as she greeted the caller.
    “Emily, it’s Mark. Did I wake you?”
    The sound of his voice, warm and a bit husky, set off a flutter in the pit of her stomach. “No. How did the briefing go?”
    “Nothing much to report.” Frustration nipped at his words.
    “But we’re still checking out leads, and the lab results aren’t back yet. How are you doing?”
    “Better than yesterday. I spoke with my secretary, and she’ll be faxing the contact information for my Hope House clients in the next half hour.”
    “Good. Coop and I will check them out this afternoon. Feel like some company for dinner tonight?”
    Emily looked at the plate in her hand and decided it would keep until tomorrow. “Sure. Business or pleasure?”
    “A little of both.”
    At least he was honest.
    “I’d like that.”
    “Great. What should I bring? Pizza, Chinese, Mexican, Italian . . . you name it.”
    “You pick. But if it’s pizza, could you ask them to leave off—”
    “The mushrooms. And add extra green peppers.”
    His response caught her off guard. “How in the world did you remember that?”
    “It must have been stuck somewhere in my subconscious.”
    “That’s a scary thought. What else is stuck there?”
    She could hear the smile in his voice when he responded. “I have no idea. I guess we’ll find out.”
    His flirty inflection sent a tingle zipping along her nerve endings—and prompted her to wander over to the thermostat and turn up her air-conditioning. She tried for a light, teasing tone when she replied. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
    “As I recall, you don’t harbor any deep, dark secrets or questionable vices that you need to worry about.”
    “If I did, I have a feeling you guys would know about them by now. I must admit, having your life scrutinized is kind of weird.
    And a little scary.”
    “It shouldn’t be, unless you have something to hide.”
    “Nothing the feds would be interested in.”
    “Hmm. That’s an intriguing comeback. Maybe I’ll have to brush up on my interviewing skills before tonight. What happened to that uncomplicated girl I used to know?”
    “Life.”
    “I hear you. I suppose most people our age have their share of baggage. We’ll have to continue this discussion in person.”
    “Or not.” It would be safer to keep the conversation light and simple, Emily decided.
    He chuckled. “How does seven sound?”
    “Fine. I’ll see you then.”
    As the connection went dead, Emily returned the phone to its stand and slid Evelyn’s offering into the fridge. It would be way too easy to let Mark Sanders ease back into her life, she realized. During that long-ago summer, they’d clicked on some elemental level. And despite the passage of years, despite the baggage he’d referenced, despite their different lifestyles, they’d clicked again.
    But she was older now. And wiser. Love wasn’t about whispered promises and stolen kisses or the magic of Wren Lake.
    It was about risk and courage and loss. It offered incredible highs—and crushing lows. And every moment of togetherness and sharing and intimacy served only to throw