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Nic nodded. “I meet a lot of people, Elizabeth. It’s not often I meet somebody like you.”

“That’s nice,” she said sweetly, “but it’s not the truth.”

Nicodemus gasped. “I am shocked, shocked, that you would question my integrity like that.”

Julia crossed her arms. “Tell me the truth, Nic.”

“Why did you come here?” he asked, instead of answering her.

“What?”

“Why did you come tonight? You’re not like the rest of the believers, are you? You don’t have complete faith in me.”

Panic welled up. Was she that obvious? Was she the worst under-cover agent in the history of the Bureau? She was out of her league. “I…”

“Why did you sneak in the back? Why did you seek me out?” He took a step closer, and she smelled the smoke and sweat on his clothes. “I think you like me.”

Several images flashed through Julia’s mind. The rapt faces of his audience. The piles of money. The old women in wheelchairs. The photos of the murder victims. Alec’s disapproving face. Manuel’s stern brow. Nic’s false concern, his distant smile…she didn’t think she liked him. She didn’t think she could like somebody who took advantage of people the way he did. Or somebody who was under suspicion of murder.

And his arrogance was a little annoying. It worked out well for her—if he thought this was about sex, he wouldn’t get any more suspicious—but still. How obnoxious.

“Maybe a little,” she lied, batting her eyelashes slightly.

“Well, is it any surprise I want to be around you?” Nicodemus asked. “I have to spend all my time with Manuel and the cheerleader, after all.”

“What about your doting followers?” The words slipped out before she could stop them.

“They’re really not interested in me, pet.”

“And I’m a refreshing change of pace? Because I don’t have complete faith in you?” Julia asked.

“You should,” he murmured. “I might be able to help you.”

“How?”

“You’re concerned about your job…” He paused, pulling another cigarette from his shirt pocket. “You think you could be doing something bigger, something better. But you made a mistake or two, didn’t apply yourself when you should, and now you’re treading water. You think a vacation would be nice, but you don’t really think it’s a good idea to leave right now. You’ll take it later.”

Julia gasped. “What? How did you…”

“Know? It’s my job, isn’t it?”

“Really, I want to know,” Julia said, intrigued.

“Most women I meet your age are concerned about their job, for whatever reason. Maybe it’s because they have a family too. Maybe it’s because they’re trying to work in a hostile environment. Whatever the reason, it doesn’t matter. I noticed you reacted when I mentioned your job, just a little bit.”

“How did you figure the rest of it?”

“Everybody thinks they’re a special and unique snowflake. Everybody has the same problems. I’m not psychic, I just know about pain and hardship.”

Julia shook her head. “Are you doing that all the time?”

“Reading you?”

“Yeah.”

Nicodemus shrugged. “It’s second nature now, I’ve been doing it so many years. Mostly I don’t think about it, though it’s convenient when somebody’s trying to lie to me.”

Julia swallowed hard. Was that a hint? Was he onto her? She stole a sideways glance, and he didn’t look as though he was implying anything. Unless he was as good at hiding as he was at finding secrets. “What about Manuel? Does he have this skill too?”

“He does. I wouldn’t say he’s as good as me,but he’s rarely as good as me.”

Julia laughed good-naturedly. It was a reminder that she needed to be on her toes.

He nodded. “Hey, if you don’t want to come by, I understand. But if you do, I’ll be in front of the civic center around noon.”

Nic opened the door for her.

“Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow,” Julia said as she passed him.

“I hope so, Elizabeth. Wait.”

She spun around. “What?”

Nic moved away from the door, allowing it to slam shut again. He stepped back into the shadows without speaking. Julia frowned, following him out of the weak light the streetlamps offered, curious. She knew in the pit of her stomach what he intended to do. She knew he would kiss her again, but she didn’t do anything to stop his attempt. It seemed like she had been waiting for this moment since she saw him on the stage in his ridiculous shirt.

Nic wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her against his body. Julia touched his chest, the heat of his body radiating through his thin T-shirt and up her arm. She blushed, thankful he couldn’t see her face in the dark. He touched her cheek with his other hand, his fingers light against her skin. She closed her eyes, focusing on the way he caressed her. The act was strangely intimate—more intimate than the kiss they had shared the night before. It was a lover’s touch.

Nic slid his fingertips along the slope of her jaw, resting them at the corner of her mouth. She parted her lips in response to the slight pressure, her eyes still closed. Her heart galloped in her ears. Julia thought he must have heard it echoing off the walls around them. He traced her parted lips with the tip of his finger, tickling her, forcing her to catch her breath. His arm around her body felt as tight and strong as a vise grip. She wouldn’t be able to pull away from Nic if she wanted to. He had her trapped.

Julia opened her eyes in time to see him tilt his head towards her, but he bypassed her mouth, instead bringing his lips to within an inch of her ear. His hot breath tickled her neck. She resisted the urge to arch her neck in an invitation, instead remaining motionless.

“Do you want me to kiss you?” Nic whispered.