Eye for an Eye, an (Heroes of Quantico Book #2): A Novel by Irene Hannon

say there’s much trust now?”
    She conceded his point with a shrug. “Not a lot. But there’ll be less if I identify him as a client.”
    He’d forgotten about her stubborn streak. And the way she could dig in her heels when it came to her principles, no matter the cost to herself.
    “I understand your concern. But there are extenuating circumstances.” He laid a gentle hand on her bandaged arm. “This was too close for comfort, Emily. If you are a target, he may not miss the next time.”
    She frowned and reached up to massage her temples. “Can I sleep on it?”
    After a brief hesitation, Mark nodded. “Okay. I’ll be by in the morning.” He scrutinized her and pushed the call button himself.
    “You waited too long to ask for the pain pills.”
    “They put me to sleep.”
    “Sleep is good. You’ll feel better when you wake up.”
    “What can I do for you, Dr. Lawson?” The nurse’s voice came over the intercom.
    “I think I can use that pain medication now.”
    “I’ll be right in.”
    As Mark moved the call button aside, he gave Emily a sympathetic look. “Nights are always the worst for pain.”
    She dredged up a smile. “The voice of recent experience.”
    “Unfortunately.”
    “Have you been shot before this last incident?”
    “I have my share of battle scars.”
    “You’re dodging the question.”
    He was saved from having to reply by the appearance of the nurse, who moved beside the bed.
    “We can do pills or I can administer the medication through the IV, which is faster-acting. Any preference?”
    “The IV.”
    Emily’s immediate response confirmed Mark’s assessment that she’d waited far too long to ask for help with the pain.
    The nurse injected the medication and smiled at Emily. “You’ll feel better in a few minutes.”
    As she exited, Emily turned to Mark. “You probably have places to go. It’s Saturday night. You might be able to salvage a few hours.”
    “If I leave now, Nick will have me wielding a paintbrush within the hour.”
    “Who’s Nick?”
    “My roommate. A classmate from the FBI Academy who works in the St. Louis office. He’s rehabbing an old house, and in exchange for a place to stay, he puts me to work every chance he gets. He’ll have Coop climbing ladders too, before he’s through.”
    “Your partner’s here?”
    “Yes. My boss in Quantico sent him in to help with the case, and he’s staying with Nick too. Except I found out today he’s allergic to drywall dust.” He gave her a rueful smile and shook his head. “He’s never going to let me live this down.”
    She gave a soft laugh. Already she was drifting. “I’ll have to meet him.”
    “Tomorrow.”
    There was silence for a couple of minutes. Her eyes flickered closed, and Mark was relieved to see her features relaxing as the pain medication began to take effect.
    “Mark?”
    “I’m still here, Em.”
    “You’re the only one who ever called me that, you know.” Her lips lifted into a wistful smile, but her eyes remained closed as she reached out to him. “Would you mind holding my hand?”
    He cocooned her slender fingers in his. “I’ve had harder duty.”
    “Mmm. That feels good. Thanks.”
    “It’s my pleasure, Em.”
    And in truth, it was.

    Darkness hadn’t diminished the oppressive heat, but at least he’d gotten rid of the long sleeves. Unfortunately, his T-shirt exposed more flesh to the thick swarms of hungry mosquitoes that called the mud flats along the river home.
    As he stepped into the boat and pushed off from the small dock, he slapped at a few of the bloodthirsty insects that were unfazed by the liberal coating of DEET on his skin. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t venture out onto the river at night.
    However, today had been anything but normal. And the heavy blackness of the overcast, starless sky provided the perfect cover for his task. But the darkness wasn’t a problem. He’d fished this river hundreds of times through the years and could