AS SOON AS Kyle and Nick got to the bar in the stadium’s private lounge, the FBI agent’s expression turned more serious. “You do realize that you’re being interrogated, don’t you?”

“Thanks, I’m aware of that,” Kyle said dryly. And he didn’t like it one bit.

“Pallas softens you up with the meth lab story, then hits you with the comment about Morgan to see your reaction. One of the oldest tricks in the book.” Nick gestured to the bartender. “Two Maker’s Marks, neat.”

“I think your friend Jack needs to mind his own business.”

“Jack’s a good guy. And he’s a fantastic agent,” Nick said. “But his number-one priority is, and will always be, to protect the U.S. attorney. And if he thinks there’s something Cameron would want to know about—like the fact that one of her top prosecutors is fooling around with the Twitter Terrorist—he’s going to be on top of it.”

He nodded when the bartender slid the two whiskeys in front of them and handed one to Kyle. “Here. You look like you need it.”

Kyle took the glass from him. “Is what Pallas said true? Are there rumors going around about Rylann and Morgan?”

“Just office gossip. I wouldn’t get too worked up about it.”

A little late for that.

The idea that Rylann might be “getting close” to Cade Morgan, whatever that meant, struck a nerve with Kyle. “Let me ask you something. If you thought some guy was moving in on my sister, how worked up would you be?”

Nick took a sip of his whiskey. “I may or may not have once tossed a guy out of her store for flirting with her.” He shrugged. “Total douchebag. Wore a scarf indoors.” He studied Kyle curiously. “I didn’t realize you and Rylann were getting that serious.”

“We’re not.”

“Then it really shouldn’t matter what she’s doing with Morgan, should it?”

Kyle shifted uncomfortably, not ready to answer that question. “What is this, another interrogation?”

“Sorry. Habit.” A silence fell between them until Nick cleared his throat. “Look, Kyle, I know we got off on the wrong foot. But I’ll tell you the same thing I told your father the day I met him: your sister means everything to me. And family is very important where I come from. So with that in mind…” He held out his hand. “I would really like it if you and I could put the past aside and move forward.”

Kyle paused for a moment, then clasped the other guy’s hand. “Jordan gave you the speech about bonding, too, huh?”

Nick grinned. “I’m under strict orders to make an ‘effort.’ And then I’m supposed to dig up whatever dirt I can about you and Rylann. Probably, I’ll just tell her how you beamed like a headlight when you heard the meth lab story.”

“Wonderful. Now I’ve got two of you all up in my business,” Kyle said dryly.

Nick slapped him across the shoulders, seeming to thoroughly enjoy this. “Get used to it, Sawyer. That’s what family is for.”

Twenty-seven

RYLANN OPENED HER door to find Kyle standing in the hallway, looking prickly once again.

“I heard an interesting rumor tonight.” He brushed past her and entered the apartment.

Rylann shut the door behind him, not sure what that meant. “Well. It’s good to see you, too.”

Standing in the middle of her living room with a no-nonsense expression, Kyle folded his arms across his chest. His question took Rylann completely by surprise.

“Is there something going on between you and Cade Morgan?”

Rylann cocked her head in confusion, wondering where he’d ever gotten such an idea. “No. Why?”

“Jack Pallas said he heard that you and Morgan were getting very close.”

Rylann paused. “I think the better question is why you and Jack Pallas were talking about Cade and me in the first place.”

“Nick brought him to the Bulls game. He started fishing for information about us after Dex asked about you.” Kyle must’ve seen the look of panic in her eyes. “Don’t worry, I covered. No one knows you’re sleeping with the Twitter Terrorist.” He amended that. “Well, Nick knows. Jordan talked to him about us.”

Rylann exhaled slowly. For something that was supposed to be simple and fun, this was suddenly getting very complicated. “Nick McCall is the special agent in charge of the Chicago FBI office. He works with my boss, Cameron, all the time.”

“He won’t say anything. We’re bonding now.”

At least one of them was comfortable with the situation. “Great. The future of my career is dependant on some ‘moment’ you and Nick had at a basketball game.”

His eyes pierced hers. “We haven’t finished our discussion about what’s going on between you and Cade Morgan.”

“Because there’s nothing going on between me and Cade,” Rylann said emphatically. “Do you really think I’d be with you if there was?”

His jaw twitched. “No offense, counselor, but this wouldn’t be my first blindside.”

As soon as the words registered, Rylann felt like a complete jerk. She’d momentarily forgotten that Kyle’s last girlfriend had cheated on him, in just about the worst way possible. They’d never talked about Daniela—Kyle didn’t seem to be particularly forthcoming about the subject, and Rylann could certainly understand why. But seeing his girlfriend with another guy, something that had ultimately put him in prison, had undoubtedly left him with a few emotional scars.