Free I Spy a Naughty Game by Jo Davis Page A

appeared so normal, unassuming. He was physically attractive in an “everyman” sort of way, with sandy hair and strong features. He was nobody’s idea of an archvillain who wanted to assist terrorists in blowing up the world.
    You had Lex Luthor, the Joker, and the Green Goblin.
    And then you had this guy—Corporate Psycho Ken.
    He met her stare, one brow lifting. “Something on your mind, Agent Foster?”
    Her name on his lips gave her a nasty start. She hadn’t thought Dietz the type of man to take much note of the worker bees, beyond making certain they did their job. Obviously she was wrong. Errors in judgment like that one could get her killed.
    “Yes. Since I may not get another chance, I’d like to know what motivates an intelligent, successful man like you, a man who had it all, to do this. Why betray your country?”
    “Why else? Money, Agent Foster. Tens of millions, mine for the pillaging. I have the means and the contacts, so why not?”
    He’d kill her this instant if he knew she’d read the file on those contacts, much less the assignment she’d agreed to undertake. She pushed the thought aside and concentrated on the nuances of his speech, his expression.
    For a split second, something very much like remorse resonated in his words, flashed in his eyes. A killer with a conscience? Well, most bad guys were human at the core. Weren’t they?
    “I think there’s more to your reasons than money,” she said, taking a stab in the dark. “Something more personal.”
    His laugh was cold. “Do tell. I’d love to hear your theory on the intricate workings of the criminal mind. Should be quite informative.”
    “I’m not an expert on what makes you guys tick. That’s your field,” she said pointedly. “It just seems like there are any number of ways—easier ways—to illegally earn a vast fortune. Ways that, while distasteful and even morally degrading, don’t involve betraying the American people and compromising their safety to the point of annihilation. Am I wrong?”
    “No, you’re correct in your generalization.” His grudging admiration, and something more heated that shone in his eyes, gave her the shivers. And not in a good way.
    “Then my thinking is that something of this magnitude has roots in vengeance as much as money. Not against the country per se but the individuals being hurt by your act.”
    “You’re a very smart lady,” he said softly. Reaching out, he stroked one finger down her cheek. “How smart, I wonder?”
    “What do you mean?” She barely kept herself from flinching away from his touch. Something told her that would be the worst mistake she could make.
    “I wonder if you can apply your intelligence to this new situation and cut your losses. No doubt you’ve realized the probability of my letting you live is pathetically low as it stands, unless you give me an excellent reason to keep you around. Now that we’re clear on this, perhaps you’ll seriously consider the wisdom of joining my team.”
    She revised her earlier opinion. He was unlike most criminals in every way save one—his monumental ego. He truly believed she was so malleable and afraid that she’d readily betray the American people to save her own skin.
    She was frightened, no doubt about it. But she was made of stronger stuff than this worm had reckoned, and she’d play his game as long as she must, no matter how reprehensible. She’d hold out until she was rescued or killed, preferably the former.
    “I don’t know. It depends,” she said evenly.
    “On what?”
    “Do you have dental benefits?”
    He stared at her a moment before laughing, and this time the sound was several degrees warmer than before. “I like you, Agent Foster.”
    “Emma.” She allowed him a small smile. Little did he know she was thinking of how he’d squeal when Blaze ripped his balls off and force-fed them to him.
    “Wonderful . . . Emma. That attitude will get you far in my organization. Possibly even save