Secret Obsession by Robin Perini Page A

marine.
    She knew Noah and Jack had spent time together on missions her fiancé couldn’t discuss. Noah and Jack couldn’t have been more different. Jack had an easy smile, a quiet and trustworthy way about him, despite being a crack sniper.
    Noah was forceful, powerful and oddly mysterious. She couldn’t pin him down. In contrast, he looked through her as if he could peel away her secrets.
    That she refused to allow.
    Noah pocketed the phone and Lyssa swallowed the dread.
    He walked over to her. “That was Ransom. Reid’s stable but not improving. Elijah’s going to give it one more day. Ransom promised to put one of his best forensic accountants on the job. He figures this guy’s toys cost money. He’s looking into suppliers.”
    Zane got a strange look on his face then hid it just as quickly.
    “You know who it is?” Noah asked.
    A guilt-ridden expression settled on the computer expert’s face. “Maybe. Not something I can talk about.”
    Noah turned on Zane. “You keeping secrets?”
    “Aren’t we all?”
    “Definitely.” Noah sent Lyssa a pointed look. “I think you and I need to talk. Alone.”
    Oh, boy. She recognized that look, even after only being around him a day. He wanted to know more, and she couldn’t tell him everything. She wouldn’t.
    She possessed one secret she would take to her grave...without hesitation.
    A secret she couldn’t afford to even think about or she might very well break down. She clutched at Jack’s ring, the chain pulling against her neck.
    Noah led her out of the main room and into the kitchen. He leaned back against the counter and crossed his arms. “Elijah did a bit of surveillance. He went to Reid’s house.”
    Lyssa stiffened. Reid was the only person who knew, and only because she hadn’t had a choice.
    “I see you know what I’m talking about.”
    Lyssa cursed his ability to read her. She had to get better at hiding her feelings and her responses from him. “Can’t you just stay out of my head?” she groused.
    “I better be good. It’s kept me alive.” He studied her, not speaking, just staring with an impatient, knowing look.
    Sweat beaded on her upper lip. “This is ridiculous. It’s simple. Archimedes wants me dead, and I intend to kill him.”
    “Reid had a file on you at his house. He burned it. Or rather, tried to. Want to tell me why?”
    Her throat closed off. This couldn’t be happening. She couldn’t risk contact, and she refused to panic. Reid would never have given her away. He’d promised her.
    “Was the file readable?” She didn’t want to ask, but she had to know.
    Noah scowled at her.
    “No.”
    She nearly sighed in relief.
    “Damn it, Lyssa. I’m trying to save your life.” Noah clutched her upper arms.
    His imposing six-foot-four-inch presence loomed above her.
    “Don’t try to intimidate me, Noah Bradford. I won’t let you.”
    She shoved at his chest, and he let her go. She stormed out of the kitchen, panting, and headed straight for her temporary bedroom. She slammed the door closed. Her duffel rested on the bed, untouched.
    She could leave, but the truth was, she needed Archimedes dead. Noah Bradford gave her the best chance for that to happen.
    Her entire body sagged, uncertainty weighing on her. She rubbed her eyes. She couldn’t see a way out. For anyone.
    The door cracked open.
    She crossed her arms in front of her. “I don’t want to talk anymore.”
    He said nothing but walked over to her, placing his hands on her shoulders, kneading the muscles gently. “I need you to be honest with me, Lyssa. Otherwise, I can’t help you.” Noah turned her in his arms. “I don’t want to fail you.” He met her gaze. “And right now, Archimedes has all the advantages.”
    Her eyes widened at the intensity in his expression. “Oh, my God. You don’t think we can win.”
    “Failure isn’t an option,” he said, words laced with pent-up frustration. “I don’t understand why you’re still not being honest.