Deadly Games - Cate Noble [66]
Once Gena felt safe with him, she began confiding some of her own dating woes. Like how Rocco was gone on assignments more and more frequently. She didn’t realize that as the senior agent, Harry had been able to manipulate schedules, especially where manpower was sorely needed, like in the Middle East.
The sound of the security chain being released had Harry shuffling closer. A moment later Gena opened the door. He was careful to hide his reaction to her appearance. Going to the Monsters’ Ball, are we?
She looked frightening, like she hadn’t slept in days. She wore no make-up and her hair was wrecked, à la Rat’s Nest Barbie. The oversized men’s T-shirt— a castoff of Rocco’s, no doubt—looked sloppy with the plaid pajama bottoms she wore. Quite frankly, Harry wouldn’t have guessed the little beauty queen was capable of this.
“I went by your office to take you to lunch and was shocked to learn you’d resigned.” Harry reached out to steady her as he reassessed her condition. She wasn’t drunk after all, but something else was damn sure wrong. “You sure you’re not sick?”
She nodded, then immediately started crying projectile tears.
Harry wrapped an arm around her shoulders and steered her toward the sofa. Judging by the crumpled tissues overflowing the wastebasket, he guessed she’d been on the sofa all night. Her normally spotless apartment was trashed, a testament to her loss of maid service.
“Let me make you a cup of tea,” he offered.
“I tried. Can’t keep it down.”
He eased away. Crap, if she had the flu— “Are you running any fever?”
“I’m not contagious. I’m just … stupid.” More tears. “I feel like such a fool, Harry.”
“Hey now, none of that kind of talk!” He sat in the chair that was positioned at a right angle to the sofa, ready to hear confession and offer advice. “You’re one of the sweetest, brightest people I know. Look, we’ve been pals long enough that I think I know what the problem is. Something to do with your boyfriend, right?”
“Ex-boyfriend. We … we had a fight last week, but I thought—” She withdrew with a shake of her head.
“You thought what? That you’ve fought before and always patched things up? I’m sure you will again.”
“We’ve never really fought before.”
“That’s because you keep your feelings to yourself,” Harry said.
“But he already has lots of stress.”
“Who doesn’t? Look at how stressed you are. You quit your job, Gena!”
She grabbed another tissue. “There are things you don’t know about.”
Like the e-mail and photographs you received two days ago? “What kinds of things? I can’t help you, honey, unless you let me.” Harry snapped his fingers. “Wait. Don’t tell me you’ve heard more rumors. I told you not to pay attention to those jealous bitches.” The jealous bitches whom Harry could count on to torment Gena with snippets of vicious gossip.
She shook her head. “What they said is true, Harry. A woman named Brandy e-mailed me pictures of her and Rocco. Along with copies of phone texts. She accused me of being the other woman. Said she’s been with Rocco three years. That’s a year before I met him!”
Harry sat back as if dismayed. “God, Gena, I feel awful. How many times did you tell me about the things you heard? And to think I defended that son of a bitch! I’ve got a good mind to kick his—”
“No, Harry.” She met his gaze and shook her head. “Let it go. I got myself into this mess, and I’ll … deal with it.”
“I wouldn’t exactly call it a mess. If you’re worried about your job, heck, I can get you on in my department. Or recommend you to a friend who’d appreciate someone with your special talents.” And who’d love to ogle your tits.
“I’m pregnant, Harry.” Gena started to cry again, in earnest. “And … and I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
The news stunned Harry. He did a mental backup. Okay, so she wasn’t drinking because she was pregnant. And she couldn’t