Lie by Night: An Out of Darkness novel (Entangled Ignite) by Cathy Marlowe Page B

more effectively if he tried. Emma forced a smile.
    “Your place is beautiful.” She gestured to the spacious combined sitting and dining room. The chintz patterns and hand-carved molding reminded her of a simpler, more genteel time. A time when crazy men didn’t drag women in and out of speeding cars.
    “Why thank you, mademoiselle .” The plump woman beamed with delight.
    “My wife and I are hoping you have a room. A private one with a private bath would be ideal.” He reclaimed Emma’s hand, squeezing gently.
    She glared at him. Preferring not to continue the what game, she saved her protest for later.
    “You are in luck. We have the honeymoon suite. Not only is there a full bath, but also a fine Jacuzzi. Perfect for young love.” The woman winked at him.
    Was there a woman in the world who didn’t flirt with the man?
    “Perfect, indeed.” He signed the register and handed over some Euros from his endless supply of cash.
    The woman handed him the key. “It’s the only room on the third floor.”
    Tired of being dragged around, Emma started for the stairs, this time pulling Cole behind her. “Come along, hubby. The Jacuzzi sounds glorious.”
    By the time they climbed two flights of stairs, anger had returned full force. If the stomp of their feet was any indication, a fight—and a big one—was about to break out once the door to the honeymoon suite closed.
    Cole opened the door and blocked Emma’s path when she would have brushed past him. Treading stealthily ahead of her, he checked the bathroom and bedroom. He returned to the main room to close and lock the door before making sure the window was secure as well.
    For a moment, he rested his hands on the window sill while she examined the room. Rich, dark paneling showcased an inviting love seat and captains’ chairs seated in front of a stone fireplace. The door to the right opened onto a spacious bathroom. A marble Jacuzzi held the place of honor beneath a skylight. Under other circumstances, she’d have been thrilled to stay here—just not right now.
    She watched Cole inhale deeply and turn to face her.
    Warily—determinedly—they faced off in the middle of the room. Emma prepared for battle.
    …
    Cole stared at her. When he’d chosen this place, he’d looked forward to her reaction to the decadent bath. Now, he no longer cared. He simply waited to see how she’d tackle the disagreement simmering between them.
    She attacked, but under the semblance of calm.
    “My brother is not in league with Alistair Forrester.” Composure quickly gave way to passion. “He’s not his partner, not his friend, not his lackey.” She pointed at him. “You’re an idiot to believe anything Cherise says.”
    “I would be an idiot to believe everything Cherise says, but the best lies have an element of truth. When you took off, I was trying to determine what bits of truth she had to offer.”
    “Because you’re trained to detect truth from lies.” Emma shoved her hands in her pockets, watching him carefully—examining him as if she could discern what truth he had to offer.
    It annoyed the hell out of him. He wasn’t the liar in the room. He might not have shared everything he knew, but he hadn’t lied. “Apparently, I am an idiot. I suspected there was more to your story, but treason? I didn’t see that coming. That’s not an accusation you just pull out of the air. Why would you say that?”
    She remained stubbornly silent. Despite his anger and frustration, the fear in her eyes tugged on his heart. “Look, I’ll do what I can to help you, to help Jacob, but I need the truth. Do you suspect Jacob of treason?”
    Red suffused her cheeks. “I have never, will never, suspect Jacob of treason.” She placed a barely discernible emphasis on Jacob .
    Just enough that Cole could not believe the implication. “Is it Cherise you suspect?”
    “Yes.”
    This sounded like the truth, but there’d been the slightest hesitation. He felt the tic in his jaw