Free Deliberate Deceptions: Hauberk Protection, Book 3 by Leah Braemel

bland look on her. “That’s not what I was referring to.”
    This was not a conversation she wanted to have. With a sigh, and a silent prayer that Troy wouldn’t follow, Lauren reversed her course.
    “Running won’t help. I want an answer and I want it now.”
    “I’ll answer your question once we’re farther away. I don’t want Chad overhearing this conversation.” She pushed on, speeding up if he got too close. The muscles in Lauren’s legs ached, protesting each step she took as the path led back up the side of the hill.
    “You’re not going to lose me if that’s what you’re hoping,” he said finally, not even breathing heavily, goddamn him. “Now tell me, when are you going to tell him the truth?”
    “After we neutralize the threat.” Then she’d lock them both in her room until he agreed to give their marriage another chance. Or he’d convinced her there was no way she deserved one. Which was more likely.
    He slapped at the branch she’d pushed out of her way but threatened to hit him. “Why don’t you just tell him the truth? It’s his life—he should get a choice in how it plays out.”
    “So why didn’t you say something to him in the office when the arrangements were being made? You could have told him last night too, but you didn’t.” If he had, Chad wouldn’t be sleeping at the desk in his bedroom the way he had been when she’d checked on him.
    Troy cursed again. “Let’s get this straight; I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing it for him. Poor bugger’s been through enough without Cooper and you playing mind games on him. He’s had enough of that, don’t you think?”
    She’d had enough mind games to last her a lifetime. Thalia’s. Cooper’s. Was that what she was doing to Chad? Manipulating him? No. Other than keeping him safe, once Harris was found, she’d accept whatever decision he made. For better or worse. She ducked under an overhanging branch. “It’s not a game.”
    He grabbed her and forced her to face him. “You know what I don’t get? You work for an organization that’s sanctioned both by the feds and the U.N. for all you try to claim it’s not associated with any of them. Which means you probably have a safe house or two of your own hidden away. Why not just grab Chad and protect him yourselves?”
    “That’s not our style.”
    “Bullshit.” His gaze hardened. “You’ve been infiltrated, haven’t you? Harris is one of your guys, isn’t he?”
    She turned her back on Troy and started running again. If he wanted to continue the conversation, he’d have to follow her. Which the bastard did, damn it.
    “What? Didn’t like being questioned? Fine, you’ll have to answer Chad’s questions later.”
    “I know.” God help her then.
    “Here’s another question for you: why did you do this? Arrange to be placed in the same facility as him? Weir’s story could have served its purpose—we could have guarded you separate from him. But you guys manipulated us just so you two would be put together. Why is that?”
    “It’s none of your business.”
    “Yeah, lady, it is. Miller is my friend and I don’t like people who playing fucking mind games with my friends.”
    “Guess what, you don’t know everything about me. Or Chad. Or our marriage.”
    “I know more than you think.”
    “You know nothing but what you overheard when I was talking with Thalia.” Half the building had heard that argument.
    “I know you ran away after accusing him publicly of having been responsible for the death of your daughter.”
    She stumbled and had to grab onto a sapling to steady herself. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. You weren’t there.”
    “No, I wasn’t there but I know what you left behind. Chad’s a man with more dignity and honor than most men have these days. A man who was only trying to protect his family the best way he knew how, and you walked away from him when he needed you.”
    “I was there for him while the press