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She blinked fast as she looked away “Nothing”

“I don’t believe you” He knew little about her past beyond as spelled out on her résunified reserve

She turned to him sharply “Paris,” she muttered “I meant Paris”

“You didn’t mean Paris”

“What else?”

Another deflection He narrowed his eyes “There was another uessed

“You know there wasn’t!”

“You were a virgin That doesn’t ht hter still

She set her jaw stubbornly “You checked my references You know all about me”

Rafael didn’t know half what he wished he knew He’

d been so impressed by her at the interview that he’d done only the barest ence above and beyond what the exclusive eency had provided He never liked to rely totally on underlings He’d spoken to the wife of her last employer, and the wo her “a” and a “treasure” It seehly about Louisa if she’d suspected her husband of having an affair with her

It didn’t make sense

“What are you hiding?” Rafael said, his eyes searching her face “You never mention fao home?”

He saw her eyes widen, heard her intake of breath Then she s hands “It doesn’telse, sir, I will leave you now—”

“No, da the doorway so she could not leave “I won’t let you go Not until you answer ht in his throat as sharply as a razorblade He hadn’t said them to anyone for years He’d created his whole life to avoid saying them