Free Wilder Than the Rest: MacLarens of Fire Mountain by Shirleen Davies Page B

door. He opened it to find Penelope.
    “Supper is ready, sir.”
     

Chapter Eight
    Lee Hatcher looked around his room at the elegant San Franciscan Hotel. He’d been given a suite, one of only three in what was considered the most prestigious hotel in the city. He knew Chaz and Eva had rooms in the same hotel and tried once more to quell both the dread and anticipation he felt at knowing he would be near Eva again after more than four years apart.
    He’d seen her a few times since their divorce, or more accurately, since the evening she’d shown up at his hotel room at the urging of Owen Kendall, his partner and close friend—at least until that night. Now, he would not only see Eva, but also be partnered with her until the assignment was over.
    He knew she’d be furious and might quit, or refuse to continue until a replacement could be found. It was a chance he’d have to take. Even though she’d judged him and filed for divorce without allowing him to explain, Lee still loved her. He didn’t know if he could ever take her back, not even if she learned the truth and came begging. He’d learned Eva’s true nature—beneath the exotic beauty, keen mind, and charming exterior was a woman incapable of fully giving her heart or her trust. He doubted he would ever be able to entrust her again with his.
    Lee stopped his musings at the sound of a soft knock on the door. The hotel messenger handed him a note then disappeared. It was from Chaz, informing him of his room number and that he’d be out that night. He wanted to meet Lee for breakfast the following morning at seven o’clock in a small restaurant two blocks from the hotel. He’d scrawled the address at the bottom of the message. Lee smiled, knowing his fellow agent had picked a place Eva wouldn’t patronize.
    He laid the note on his dresser, glad to have a meeting already arranged. Once he met with Chaz, he’d decide what to do next.
    ******
    Penelope had a prepared a wonderful meal. Pierce had overindulged in both food and spirits. It was fortunate he was a man who could hold his liquor.
    “We’ll take our dessert and coffee in the parlor, Penelope. Shall we?” Pierce stood and pulled out Mollie’s chair, then offered his arm.
    “You’re good at this, playing a role, pretending.” Her comment hit a nerve with Pierce.
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “You’re a natural at it.”
    “At what?”
    “Pretending to be someone you’re not.” Her tone wasn’t accusatory, more a statement of fact.
    “Do you want to tell me exactly what you’re talking about?” He let her arm slide from his then took a step back to look at her.
    “Slipping into a role comes easy to you, like putting on a different shirt, or hat. You’re a natural at fitting into unfamiliar situations and making people believe that’s where you belong.”
    “Not any better than you. Your performance at the Benstead’s couldn’t have been better. You had Traxton right where you wanted him.” Pierce clenched his teeth, remembering how he’d felt when he’d seen Traxton’s interest in Mollie.
    “I was doing my job, trying to gain his trust. Nothing more. Certainly not as entertaining as watching you and Virginia Traxton circle each other.” She took another step away from Pierce, turning toward the parlor. “Tell me, how far will you let the pretending go?”
    “As far as it needs to go if I think she has information we need.” His eyes were like knives, razor sharp and penetrating.
    Their sparring had taken an uncomfortable turn and Mollie wished she’d never brought it up.
    “Just forget it.” Mollie walked into the parlor and took a deep breath. She’d done this her whole life, opened her mouth before she’d thought through her words. Most of the time, everything turned out all right. Once in a while, they didn’t. Tonight, she was afraid, was one of those times.
    Pierce didn’t budge, hands on his hips, looking through the open parlor door, and wondering