Page 46 of Shadow Justice

Reid stepped back so quickly Blue had to sidestep him.

“I wasn’t—” He stopped because that was a terrible beginning. “Garrett—my boss—that was him on the phone.”

She rubbed her arms as if cold. “I figured that out.”

“Claire informed him about Hoyt. They’re married, so…”

She swallowed and looked away. “I see.”

“He wanted to check on security. Whether I needed backup. Whether you were safe.” Reid heard himself speaking as if every sentence had been drafted by a committee and approved by no one. “He also offered you the compound.”

Holly met his eyes again. “The compound?”

“Yes. For safekeeping. If you wanted. Not that you have to. It’s only an option. Garrett said to offer you the choice, and I am offering it. Poorly.”

Her mouth moved a little, not quite a smile. “Have you actually argued in courtrooms, Fleming?”

“I was better at those. Considerably more structured.”

A trace of warmth crossed her face, which did nothing to help his ability to speak like an adult. “You’re asking if I want to leave my apartment in the middle of the night and go hide at the Shadow Point compound.”

“I’m asking if you want to stay somewhere with controlled access, more personnel, and fewer windows.”

She dragged in a shaky breath. “You think I’ll say no.”

“Yes.”

“Then why ask?”

“Because it’s your choice.”

She held his gaze, her earlier words humming between them. Blue sat next to Reid’s leg, the lamplight was soft enough to make the hallway feel more intimate than it should. Holly’s eyes dropped briefly to his mouth, and the air between them tightened again.

Reid didn’t move. He would not reach for her. Not when she’d just kissed him out of grief and fury and want. Not when the offer on the table was safety, not seduction.

“No,” she said at last. She rubbed her eyes, releasing a long, slow breath. “As great as it sounds”—sarcasm laced her voice—“I’m not going to the compound.”

He nodded, releasing his breath in a rush. “Okay.”

“That’s it? You’re not going to argue? Not even a little?”

“I reserve the right to argue later if the threat escalates.”

She leaned against the doorframe and rubbed both hands over her face. “I can’t leave Sanctuary. Tomorrow is Sunday; we’ll be closed. That gives me time, like you said, to hear what Agent Dawson finds out between now and then, and then I’ll be able to make a clearer decision. I don’t know what I’m doing yet, but I can’t let whoever this is scare me into hiding while my customers are still out there.”

“I understand.”

“Good. I want to help with Hopper.”

“Holly—”

“No. If I’m staying, I’m helping. You said it was my choice.”

She turned her body to slide past him, Blue following as if they had formed a committee. In the living room, she sat on the couch and pulled the laptop toward her. “What are we looking for?”

Reid remained in the hallway for another second, gathering the pieces of himself the kiss had scattered, then joined her. “Connections. Hoyt, Sanctuary, the other victims, any public history that gives Hopper motive or opportunity.”

She tucked one leg beneath her. “Sit down, Counselor.”