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to.” He turned her around and rested his hands on her waist. Slowly, her hands moved seductively up his chest and around his neck. “You should go away more often.”
    She laughed. He didn’t realize how close he was to the truth.  
    As they swayed to the music, comfortable in the silence, Marisa scolded herself. How could she ever have thought that Stephen couldn’t handle the truth? Or be able to help her. He always had a fresh way of looking at a situation. Of course, she should’ve told him right away, but she’d been so overwhelmed about keeping it secret, she didn’t think to. He’d understand.
    “Stephen?”  
    “Hmm.” His chin rested on the top of her head.
    “I have to tell you something.” Her voice shook ever so slightly.
    “Anything.”  
    She took a deep breath. She could do this no matter how crazy she sounded.
    “I wasn’t—”
    The phone buzzed on her nightstand. She stiffened in Stephen’s arms.
    He kissed her cheek. “It’s just a phone call. I’ll still be here.”
    She trailed kisses up his neck. “Let’s ignore it.”
    The phone buzzed again.
    He placed her hands on his arms. “It might be your friend. Maybe you should answer it?”
    “Oh, right.” That’s what she didn’t want. Her friend. She stumbled over to the bed and lifted the phone to her ear.
    “Just a word of warning.” Will’s threatening voice seeped out of the phone like poison and into her soul.  
    She trembled but forced an answer. “I’m sorry. Savvy’s sleeping.”  
    “I suggest keeping our agreement to yourself. Your husband has nothing to do with this. In fact, the less he knows the better. As for your daughter? It’s not her time yet. So keep quiet…we’ll be watching.”
    Then he hung up.
    She placed the phone back and returned to her husband’s arms.  
    “For Savvy?” he asked.
    She nodded, afraid that if she spoke she’d give herself away. How did Will know to call right then? Did he have the house bugged? Or was it just a coincidence? She laid her head on Stephen’s chest, listening to the beating of his heart. His warmth made her feel a little bit better but could never take away the icy chill that would probably stay with her.  
    Will was right. It was better to keep Stephen in the dark. The less he knew the better.
    Her secret would have to stay secret.  
    Even though she was home and safe, she could never forget, not for one second, that a family of assassins was her mortal enemy. That she had to work for Will in exchange for her family’s safety. At some point, he would call again. For another mission. She had to comply because he was convinced she was much more than her cover of a middle-aged mom.  
    As Savvy would say, “Yeah right.”

 
    Six
    Stephen growled as his head popped out from under the covers, hair sticking out in all directions. “Ooh, I like it when you talk dirty.” And with that he pulled Marisa, back under the covers.
    Marisa fought against the sheets in dire need of fresh air. “Saying I’m hungry is not talking dirty!” But her light tone of voice on the verge of laughter gave her away.
    “It’s all a matter of interpretation.” Stephen laughed and nuzzled into her neck.  
    She giggled right back. “In that case what my words really meant were, let’s go out for breakfast.”  
    Stephen kissed her neck and teased. “We can make it brunch.”  
    Her stomach growled rather noisily.
    “Alright, alright. Breakfast it is.” He threw back the sheets and slipped into his bathrobe. “I’ll just hop in the shower.”
    Marisa sighed with contentment and sank back into her pillow. The last several months had truly been amazing. After returning from her first mission with Will and dancing with Stephen to Barry Manilow, something had changed. A spark relit. Anyhow, Stephen wasn’t complaining.
    But still, every time the phone rang or someone knocked on the door or someone bumped her in public, she forced herself to remember Will’s words.