An Unforgettable Lady

As he played, she allowed herself a few tantalizing fantasies. Of him staying in her life. Living with her. Giving her children.

When the music died away, she stepped out into the room. He was sitting on the bench, head down, long fingers still on the keys. He was wearing only boxers and the contrast between his bare skin and the glossy piano was appealing.

"How long have you been listening?" he asked without looking up.

"Sometime."

He turned his head. In the dim light, his eyes glowed. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"I'm glad you did. You play beautifully." As he got to his feet and closed the guard, she asked, "Did you train somewhere?"

"I just make it up as I go along." He faced her, putting his hands on his hips. His expression was grave.

When she'd gone to him earlier, ostensibly to say good night, she'd been surprised and relieved when he'd kissed her, because he'd been so distant during the day. As he'd made love to her, it had been tempting to believe all was forgiven, but afterward she'd had her doubts.

The poignancy with which he'd held her while she fell asleep had been curiously troubling. It had been almost as if he were saying good-bye.

"We've got to talk," he said.

Grace's stomach rolled. "About what?"

"I called one of my boys tonight. I want to put him on this job."

Grace took a deep breath, relaxing some. "I don't care how many members of Black Watch back you up. Especially if it means I can go ahead with the Gala."

"That's not what I have in mind."

Instinctively, she put her arms around herself. "Then what are you saying?"

"I'm leaving."

Grace heard the words but instantly rejected them. "What do you mean? You can't leave. I—we—they haven't found whoever killed—" \

"Tiny's a good man. I'd trust him with my life. And yours."

"I don't want Tiny. I want you."

"I've taken another assignment."

Her mouth fell open and then she laughed bitterly. "Quitting on me?"

"Changing jobs."

"It's the same line of work, though. Right?"

"Different," he paused, "client."

He'd told her only after it was done, she thought. Only after he'd taken care of everything and there was no way to argue.

She turned from him as tears welled in her eyes. She refused to let them fall, blinking furiously.

"Grace," he said roughly. "I have to go."

She wheeled back toward him. "No, you don't."

"I can't trust myself with you any longer. I'm not the righ man for this job."

"Don't you think I should decide that? I'm the one who's paying you."

"You aren't qualified to judge my skills."

She shot him a glare. "Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

"You're no more objective than I am at this point."

Impatiently, she pushed her hair over her shoulder. "And when did you decide all this?"

"Tonight.”

"You—you make love to me and then you tell me you're leaving?" she exclaimed. "What? Worried you wouldn't have a chance to get laid before your next assignment?"

He frowned, his brows drawing tight over his eyes. "You know it's never been like that between us."

"Oh, really? Then maybe you'd like to tell me what happens after you leave? Will I ever see you again?"

His silence was the answer.

"Oh, God," she said.

"I don't want it to be this way."

"So make it different," she snapped.

When he stared at her in stony silence, she shook her head. "I can't believe you're prepared to just walk away."

His response was quiet. "I'm sorry, Grace. I really am."

She thrust her chin up and brushed by him, going over to her desk and taking out a checkbook.

"I think you should just leave now." She began hastily scribbling with a gold pen. She ripped the check free and held it out to him. "Go on. Take it. Let's just end this now."

"Not until Tiny's here."

"You said you wanted to leave, so pack your things and get the hell out. I have no interest in being passed off to one of your boys."

Tension crackled in the air as the check hung between them. He slowly came forward and took it out of her hand only to put it down on the desk.

"I'm not going anywhere until Tiny shows up."

"I don't think you understand," she said, pointing at the front door. "You and Black Watch are fired. Get out."

His voice was flat when he spoke, belying in its softness his awesome will. "I'm not leaving until I know you're safe."

Rage, borne out of hurt and frustration, had her blinking tears away. "This is incredibly cruel of you. To say that you're going and then force me to—"