Back the Blue: Eligible Bachelors, page 2
“Give me one night and I’ll tell you.”
“What?” I gasp.
“You heard me, Lorna,” he almost growls. “Give me one night.”
My breathing increases as he waits for an answer. And I give it on a breathless gasp.
“Okay.”
Four
Those two syllables make me smile so hard that my face hurts. And before I can think better of it, I close the distance between us and press my lips to hers. A soft moan leaves her and I almost part her lips with my tongue, but now is not the place for that. Instead, I pull back very slowly and watch with a great deal of delight as her eyes flutter open and lock with mine again.
“Damn you,” she breathes.
“What’s wrong?” I smirk.
“You know damn well what’s wrong,” she says as she lifts her chin. “You’re not playing fair.”
“I never agreed to.”
The sexual tension between us at this moment could be cut with a knife. Before I react again, her partner walks in.
“Lorna, you good?”
“Yeah,” she nods while she keeps looking at me. “I’m good.”
“Better than good if you ask me,” I whisper.
She smirks and moves to sit up. I help her and she allows it. Then Malcolm gives her the bad news.
“We’ve got another call and I think it’s related to the last one.”
Hearing this, I get on my radio and ask for confirmation. When I have it, I help Lorna off the bed and do what’s necessary.
“I’ll ride with you.”
“Why?” Lorna asks.
Jesus, the woman was just shot at a scene and she’s questioning why I want to accompany them to a similar one?
“Hardheaded much?” I ask her as I grip her elbow and lead her out.
“The ambulance will be awful damn cramped with you in there.”
“It wasn’t earlier,” I grin.
“Because my partner wasn’t in there and since you don’t have his medical training that actually broke protocol and I’m probably going to be reprimanded for it.”
“If that does happen, I’ll make a few phone calls,” I tell her. “The best thing at that scene was to get everyone out of there as quickly as possible and in one piece.”
She grimaces at this but doesn’t continue to argue. In less than a minute, I’m in the back of their ambulance. The driver pulls out and they reset the area. When that’s done, her partner reaches out a hand to me. I smile and take it.
“Malcolm Rogers,” he nods.
“Pitbull Hughes.”
“Pitbull? Did your mother not want you or something?” he chuckles.
“No,” I laugh. “All of us Hughes siblings have nicknames.”
“How many do you have?” Lorna asks.
“Three pain in the ass little brothers.”
“Ah,” she smiles. “I’m sure they learned that from their big brother.”
“Cute,” I nod.
“So, what are your brothers’ nicknames?” Malcolm asks.
“Chaos, Snake, and Tank.”
“You all sound like a bunch of hoodlums,” Lorna smirks.
“Maybe you can find out one day,” I tell her.
She wasn’t expecting that. Her shock is quickly curbed by the delicate arch of her eyebrow. Malcolm just chuckles and props his feet up on the stretcher. Lorna never looks away from me, though. And I find that I enjoy having her eyes on me. Until I can have more of her on me. As wicked images of the two of us together bombard my imagination, I get a phone call. When I look at my screen, I see that it’s my supervisor.
“Pitbull,” I answer.
“What’s your twenty?”
“I’m heading to another scene with the paramedics.”
“Which ones?” he snaps.
“The first ones that arrived on the last scene.”
“Shit,” he hisses. “How is the woman who took a hit?”
“She’s fine,” I tell him tightly. “Her vest did its job.”
“That’s good, but I’ve got some bad news for her.”
Lorna’s brow is furrowed now that she knows I’m talking about her. And I hate asking for the bad news concerning her even more.
“What?”
“Apparently, the victim she rendered aid to is the kingpin in the gang Diamond is trying to take down,” he sighs. “If he lives, Diamond is going to put a hit out on her.”
My entire body goes cold. Rage pulses through me at the thought of those bastards coming after her. And I make a quick decision.
“I’ll take her into protective custody right now,” I tell him. “Tell me which location to use and have a car waiting for me at the next scene.”
“She’s going to be exposed at that scene,” he reminds me. “And if Diamond is there, he might take another shot at her.”
“I’ll figure something out,” I tell him.
“10-4. You’ll have a location in a few minutes.”
“Thank you, sir.”
No sooner do I end the call, my fiery Lorna is leaning forward with her fists balled on her thighs. And I cannot wait to spar with her on this.
“What the fuck are you talking about protective custody?” she snaps. “I’ve got a fucking job to do.”
“If you step out of this ambulance at the next scene, there’s a chance you’re going to take another bullet and this one probably won’t be aimed at your vest.”
“It’s a risk I’m willing to take,” she says firmly.
If I wasn’t already gone for her, I would be now. But I promised to protect her, and I intend to do just that. No matter how much it pisses her off.
“The man whose life you probably saved earlier is the rival kingpin to the one we’re trying to take down. And if he does indeed survive, you’ll have a hit on you. And those motherfuckers won’t stop until you’re good and dead. So, I’m going to take you into protective custody until we can take him out first.”
Five
My breath leaves me at his words. Then I drop my head into my hands. Curses and pointed conversation blossoms all around me between Pitbull, Malcolm, and Lenny. And as much as I don’t want to be pulled off my shift, tonight or any night, the sensible part of me knows that it has to happen. Yes, I took an oath to help others, but I can’t continue to do that if I’m dead.
A shudder runs through me as a pitiful moan escapes my lips. Then everything goes quiet and two strong hands grip my shoulders. When Pitbull speaks, his voice is pained.
“Lorna, look at me.”
After a deep breath, I lower my hands to my lap. When I lift my head, he’s right there. Nothing but concern and determination reflected in his eyes.
“Yeah.”
“I’m not going to let anyone hurt you,” he says softly. “I swear it.”
“I believe you,” I tell him.
“I’ll stay with Malcolm while he assesses the victims at the next scene. When we’re en route, we’ll make a quick stop so we can get in another vehicle and be taken to a secure location.”
“Okay,” I nod. “But…what about my family? Can I tell them what’s going on?”
“Not tonight,” he sighs.
I nod again. Then I pull back and close my eyes as I try to wrap my head around this nightmare that has now become my life. I try not to listen to Pitbull’s clipped conversation as he makes the arrangements. I’ve heard about protective custody before, but I never thought I’d have to experience it. And what the hell am I going to do wherever I’m going? I’m in my damn work clothes with only my cellphone. What the fuck am I going to do with myself?
Unbidden, an image of Pitbull looming over me pops into my mind. I bolt upright and shake my head. But it doesn’t stop my body from warming at the thought.
“You okay?” Malcolm asks.
“Yeah,” I nod. “I just…I don’t know.”
“Yeah, I feel ya on that,” he says.
I give him a small smile as he wraps his arm around my shoulders. We stay like this until we’ve reached the scene. I grip Malcolm’s wrist before he rises.
“Be careful,” I whisper.
He smiles and gives me a wink. Then he rises and goes to the door where Pitbull is ready to exit as well. His face is calm and determined. Then he gives me a nod and pushes the door open. With nothing to do, I stay where I am and try to relax.
Not a chance.
In less than five minutes, Malcolm and Pitbull come back for the stretcher. They return in another two with a somewhat combative man with a gunshot wound. Without being asked, I rise and help Pitbull restrain him while Malcolm tries to treat him. Before I can help him, the ambulance stops, and the back door pops open again. Pitbull grabs my elbow and I follow him out. Another agent gets in the ambulance with Malcolm, and I climb into the back of an SUV with Pitbull.
“Do you know which location we’re using?” he asks the driver.
“Charlie two.”
“Affirmative,” Pitbull says.
Nothing more is said. I look down at my hands as they twist in my lap. Suddenly, Pitbull reaches over and covers them with his own. I gasp and look over at him. With our gazes locked on one another, he gently entwines his left hand with my right. The small gesture of comfort from the giant, intense man almost breaks me. Yet I welcome it. Hell, I need it right now.
He doesn’t look away until the driver tells him that we’ve arrived. Then I watch as he takes in the immediate area. When the SUV comes to a stop, he finally looks at me again.
“Stay put while I clear the area.”
“Okay.”
He squeezes my hand just before he turns and hops out. The quiet now is unnerving. So much so, I actually jump when Pitbull opens his door again.
“Come on.”
He offers me his hand and I take it and let him help me slide over and out of the vehicle. After he shuts the door, his places his hand on the small of my back and hustles me toward a nondescript apartment building. We disappear into the stairwell and head up to the second floor. On the small landing, he takes me to the second door on the right and walks me inside. Once the door’s locked, the gravity of my situation hits me once again.
No sooner do I start to sway; Pitbull catches me and carries me to the bed in the small studio apartment. Very gently, he settles me on it. Then his torso hovers over mine as he talks me through my second panic attack of the night.
“Deep and easy breaths, Lorna,” he says as he caresses my cheek. “Stay with me, sweetheart. You’re going to get through this. And I’m going to be with you. Just breathe, okay? Deep and easy. Nice and slow. There you go. That’s it, sweetheart. You got this.”
Seeing the soft side of this mountainous man is touching. And when I once again open my eyes and meet his concerned stare, I ask the question without thinking. And without realizing how it will affect things between us.
“What’s your name?”
Something in his expression falters for a moment. Then, as if he’s steeling his nerve, he takes a deep breath before answering.
“Ashley.”
I smile at him. He smiles back.
“Thank you,” I tell him. “For what you did just now.”
“It was my pleasure,” he says in a low voice.
“I don’t know about that,” I giggle.
“It was,” he nods. “But…can I ask a favor of you?”
“Of course.”
His eyes roam all over my face for a second before he continues.
“Say my name, Lorna,” he whispers.
My smile widens. And I gently brush my hand over his cheek before giving him what he wants.
“Thank you…Ashley.”
Six
The sound of my name in her soft voice does something to me. Before I can think, I bend my head to kiss her. Hard. The moment my tongue swipes across the seam of her sweet lips, she opens for me. And I eagerly accept her invitation.
For the next several minutes, I kiss her with all I have. The more I deepen the contact, the more she gives back. And the harder my cock grows as it undoubtedly presses into her thigh. When she slides her hand into my hair, I damn near lose my mind. But when she moans into my mouth and rolls her hips against me, I damn near blow my load.
“Jesus Christ,” I pant as I tear my lips away from hers.
“Why did you stop?” she gasps.
“Trust me, sweetheart, I don’t want to stop,” I tell her. “But for the moment, I have a job to do.”
“And what’s that?”
“I have to go meet with my supervisor to plan our next move against Diamond.”
“Oh,” she breathes.
“I shouldn’t be gone more than an hour,” I explain. “And then I can bring you back whatever you need in case it takes us longer than we’d like to catch that fucker.”
“Oh, okay,” I nod. “Um, I guess a change of clothes would be nice. And maybe some books. A deck of cards.”
My smile widens as I imagine a round of strip poker.
“Not a problem,” I nod. “Let me give you my number so you can text me your sizes and what kind of books you like.”
When she reaches into her pocket for her phone, I very reluctantly crawl off the bed and attempt to pat myself down. She smiles at this and giggles as she asks for my number. Once she has it saved, I tell her what’s going to happen while I’m gone.
“There are two agents sitting on this apartment building,” I explain. “Agents Williams and MacLeish. If for some reason you need to be moved before I get back, they’ll knock on the door and tell you their names. Then you’ll ask them for the code word; tributary.”
“That’s random.”
“That’s the whole point,” I nod. “No one outside of myself and those two agents should be able to get into this apartment.”
“Will you have to tell me the code word, too?” she grins as she rises from the bed.
“No,” I say as I move to stand in front of her.
“Why not?”
“Because I have the key,” I whisper.
She giggles at this and shakes her head. Then she asks the obvious.
“Why would I have to be moved, anyway?”
As much as I don’t want to dampen her light mood at the moment, I can’t let the reality of her situation get brushed aside. So, I tell her the truth.
“If Diamond or one of his associates found out your location and tried to move in, we’d move you again.”
“Oh,” she breathes.
When her face falls, I grip her shoulders and step even closer.
“We’re going to keep you safe, Lorna,” I say softly. “I swear it.”
“Okay,” she whispers as she nods.
“Why don’t you take a bath while I’m gone and try to relax.”
“No,” she says quickly.
“Why not?”
“I don’t want to be compromised if I need to be moved.”
Despite myself, I laugh at this.
“You sure you don’t moonlight as an FBI agent?”
“No, why?”
“Because you’re thinking like one.”
“Is that a good thing?” she grins.
“I’d rather you leave that stuff to me,” I tell her gently.
She nods at this. But before I leave her, I taste her sweet lips one more time. She smiles at this and then I’m out the door, double checking that it’s locked before I jump in the passenger seat of the SUV.
“Everything good?” Waters asks.
“She had a bit of a panic attack,” I say tightly.
“Yeah, right,” he chuckles.
“I wouldn’t lie about that,” I frown.
“Okay,” he shrugs. “So, what was with the hand holding?”
“Fuck off.”
He laughs at this. A little too hard. And I know I’m screwed.
“Damn, man,” he sighs. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
“The great Pitbull Hughes has finally met his match.”
“Why is that such a big fucking deal?” I grumble.
“Because you’ve always been all work and no play,” he says. “And while that’s great for the Bureau, it sucks for you personally. But I think that fiery little medic is going to change all that for you.”
“Just because I held her hand?” I frown.
“No, man,” he says as he shakes his head. “It was written all over your face when you were beside her. But relax, man. I think it’s great.”
I nod and let the subject lie. Until I get a text. From Lorna.
Size 10 pants, large top, size 8 shoe, and I like romance novels
I chuckle and send back a quick 10-4. Then my mind runs wild with the confirmation of her very curvy body and her desire to read about romance and how much I’d like to take a starring role in her fantasies. At least until I can make them real.
Seven
After a quick 10-4 back from Ashley, I wander the small space to take things in. I can only assume that the FBI keeps places like this on hand for these situations. But I wonder if the locations ever change? It would make sense to do so if you really didn’t want someone found, right? Of course, judging by what I find here, it looks like they at least give you the bare minimum to live.
There are basic toiletries in the bathroom, which is why Ashley probably suggested a bath. And the fridge has water and sodas. The pantry contains non-perishables. The sight of which causes my stomach to growl. So, I take off my vest and make myself some popcorn. I usually eat around one in the morning on an overnight shift, so I’m not ready for anything more substantial just yet.
Substantial.
Speaking of which, Ashley had quite the substantial hard on earlier. It was more than obvious that he is well-proportioned. And my God, if his kiss was any indication, he certainly knows what to do with a woman. I was closer to coming from his kiss than I have been with some of my past lovers during the actual act of sex. Of course, the fact that I haven’t been properly laid in almost year probably helped a bit, too.
I putter around the space for the better part of an hour, not wanting to turn on the television because I don’t want to run the risk of a news story about the fucking kingpin that wants to kill me.
“God dammit!” I shout to the air. “This is fucking insane!”
“What?” I gasp.
“You heard me, Lorna,” he almost growls. “Give me one night.”
My breathing increases as he waits for an answer. And I give it on a breathless gasp.
“Okay.”
Four
Those two syllables make me smile so hard that my face hurts. And before I can think better of it, I close the distance between us and press my lips to hers. A soft moan leaves her and I almost part her lips with my tongue, but now is not the place for that. Instead, I pull back very slowly and watch with a great deal of delight as her eyes flutter open and lock with mine again.
“Damn you,” she breathes.
“What’s wrong?” I smirk.
“You know damn well what’s wrong,” she says as she lifts her chin. “You’re not playing fair.”
“I never agreed to.”
The sexual tension between us at this moment could be cut with a knife. Before I react again, her partner walks in.
“Lorna, you good?”
“Yeah,” she nods while she keeps looking at me. “I’m good.”
“Better than good if you ask me,” I whisper.
She smirks and moves to sit up. I help her and she allows it. Then Malcolm gives her the bad news.
“We’ve got another call and I think it’s related to the last one.”
Hearing this, I get on my radio and ask for confirmation. When I have it, I help Lorna off the bed and do what’s necessary.
“I’ll ride with you.”
“Why?” Lorna asks.
Jesus, the woman was just shot at a scene and she’s questioning why I want to accompany them to a similar one?
“Hardheaded much?” I ask her as I grip her elbow and lead her out.
“The ambulance will be awful damn cramped with you in there.”
“It wasn’t earlier,” I grin.
“Because my partner wasn’t in there and since you don’t have his medical training that actually broke protocol and I’m probably going to be reprimanded for it.”
“If that does happen, I’ll make a few phone calls,” I tell her. “The best thing at that scene was to get everyone out of there as quickly as possible and in one piece.”
She grimaces at this but doesn’t continue to argue. In less than a minute, I’m in the back of their ambulance. The driver pulls out and they reset the area. When that’s done, her partner reaches out a hand to me. I smile and take it.
“Malcolm Rogers,” he nods.
“Pitbull Hughes.”
“Pitbull? Did your mother not want you or something?” he chuckles.
“No,” I laugh. “All of us Hughes siblings have nicknames.”
“How many do you have?” Lorna asks.
“Three pain in the ass little brothers.”
“Ah,” she smiles. “I’m sure they learned that from their big brother.”
“Cute,” I nod.
“So, what are your brothers’ nicknames?” Malcolm asks.
“Chaos, Snake, and Tank.”
“You all sound like a bunch of hoodlums,” Lorna smirks.
“Maybe you can find out one day,” I tell her.
She wasn’t expecting that. Her shock is quickly curbed by the delicate arch of her eyebrow. Malcolm just chuckles and props his feet up on the stretcher. Lorna never looks away from me, though. And I find that I enjoy having her eyes on me. Until I can have more of her on me. As wicked images of the two of us together bombard my imagination, I get a phone call. When I look at my screen, I see that it’s my supervisor.
“Pitbull,” I answer.
“What’s your twenty?”
“I’m heading to another scene with the paramedics.”
“Which ones?” he snaps.
“The first ones that arrived on the last scene.”
“Shit,” he hisses. “How is the woman who took a hit?”
“She’s fine,” I tell him tightly. “Her vest did its job.”
“That’s good, but I’ve got some bad news for her.”
Lorna’s brow is furrowed now that she knows I’m talking about her. And I hate asking for the bad news concerning her even more.
“What?”
“Apparently, the victim she rendered aid to is the kingpin in the gang Diamond is trying to take down,” he sighs. “If he lives, Diamond is going to put a hit out on her.”
My entire body goes cold. Rage pulses through me at the thought of those bastards coming after her. And I make a quick decision.
“I’ll take her into protective custody right now,” I tell him. “Tell me which location to use and have a car waiting for me at the next scene.”
“She’s going to be exposed at that scene,” he reminds me. “And if Diamond is there, he might take another shot at her.”
“I’ll figure something out,” I tell him.
“10-4. You’ll have a location in a few minutes.”
“Thank you, sir.”
No sooner do I end the call, my fiery Lorna is leaning forward with her fists balled on her thighs. And I cannot wait to spar with her on this.
“What the fuck are you talking about protective custody?” she snaps. “I’ve got a fucking job to do.”
“If you step out of this ambulance at the next scene, there’s a chance you’re going to take another bullet and this one probably won’t be aimed at your vest.”
“It’s a risk I’m willing to take,” she says firmly.
If I wasn’t already gone for her, I would be now. But I promised to protect her, and I intend to do just that. No matter how much it pisses her off.
“The man whose life you probably saved earlier is the rival kingpin to the one we’re trying to take down. And if he does indeed survive, you’ll have a hit on you. And those motherfuckers won’t stop until you’re good and dead. So, I’m going to take you into protective custody until we can take him out first.”
Five
My breath leaves me at his words. Then I drop my head into my hands. Curses and pointed conversation blossoms all around me between Pitbull, Malcolm, and Lenny. And as much as I don’t want to be pulled off my shift, tonight or any night, the sensible part of me knows that it has to happen. Yes, I took an oath to help others, but I can’t continue to do that if I’m dead.
A shudder runs through me as a pitiful moan escapes my lips. Then everything goes quiet and two strong hands grip my shoulders. When Pitbull speaks, his voice is pained.
“Lorna, look at me.”
After a deep breath, I lower my hands to my lap. When I lift my head, he’s right there. Nothing but concern and determination reflected in his eyes.
“Yeah.”
“I’m not going to let anyone hurt you,” he says softly. “I swear it.”
“I believe you,” I tell him.
“I’ll stay with Malcolm while he assesses the victims at the next scene. When we’re en route, we’ll make a quick stop so we can get in another vehicle and be taken to a secure location.”
“Okay,” I nod. “But…what about my family? Can I tell them what’s going on?”
“Not tonight,” he sighs.
I nod again. Then I pull back and close my eyes as I try to wrap my head around this nightmare that has now become my life. I try not to listen to Pitbull’s clipped conversation as he makes the arrangements. I’ve heard about protective custody before, but I never thought I’d have to experience it. And what the hell am I going to do wherever I’m going? I’m in my damn work clothes with only my cellphone. What the fuck am I going to do with myself?
Unbidden, an image of Pitbull looming over me pops into my mind. I bolt upright and shake my head. But it doesn’t stop my body from warming at the thought.
“You okay?” Malcolm asks.
“Yeah,” I nod. “I just…I don’t know.”
“Yeah, I feel ya on that,” he says.
I give him a small smile as he wraps his arm around my shoulders. We stay like this until we’ve reached the scene. I grip Malcolm’s wrist before he rises.
“Be careful,” I whisper.
He smiles and gives me a wink. Then he rises and goes to the door where Pitbull is ready to exit as well. His face is calm and determined. Then he gives me a nod and pushes the door open. With nothing to do, I stay where I am and try to relax.
Not a chance.
In less than five minutes, Malcolm and Pitbull come back for the stretcher. They return in another two with a somewhat combative man with a gunshot wound. Without being asked, I rise and help Pitbull restrain him while Malcolm tries to treat him. Before I can help him, the ambulance stops, and the back door pops open again. Pitbull grabs my elbow and I follow him out. Another agent gets in the ambulance with Malcolm, and I climb into the back of an SUV with Pitbull.
“Do you know which location we’re using?” he asks the driver.
“Charlie two.”
“Affirmative,” Pitbull says.
Nothing more is said. I look down at my hands as they twist in my lap. Suddenly, Pitbull reaches over and covers them with his own. I gasp and look over at him. With our gazes locked on one another, he gently entwines his left hand with my right. The small gesture of comfort from the giant, intense man almost breaks me. Yet I welcome it. Hell, I need it right now.
He doesn’t look away until the driver tells him that we’ve arrived. Then I watch as he takes in the immediate area. When the SUV comes to a stop, he finally looks at me again.
“Stay put while I clear the area.”
“Okay.”
He squeezes my hand just before he turns and hops out. The quiet now is unnerving. So much so, I actually jump when Pitbull opens his door again.
“Come on.”
He offers me his hand and I take it and let him help me slide over and out of the vehicle. After he shuts the door, his places his hand on the small of my back and hustles me toward a nondescript apartment building. We disappear into the stairwell and head up to the second floor. On the small landing, he takes me to the second door on the right and walks me inside. Once the door’s locked, the gravity of my situation hits me once again.
No sooner do I start to sway; Pitbull catches me and carries me to the bed in the small studio apartment. Very gently, he settles me on it. Then his torso hovers over mine as he talks me through my second panic attack of the night.
“Deep and easy breaths, Lorna,” he says as he caresses my cheek. “Stay with me, sweetheart. You’re going to get through this. And I’m going to be with you. Just breathe, okay? Deep and easy. Nice and slow. There you go. That’s it, sweetheart. You got this.”
Seeing the soft side of this mountainous man is touching. And when I once again open my eyes and meet his concerned stare, I ask the question without thinking. And without realizing how it will affect things between us.
“What’s your name?”
Something in his expression falters for a moment. Then, as if he’s steeling his nerve, he takes a deep breath before answering.
“Ashley.”
I smile at him. He smiles back.
“Thank you,” I tell him. “For what you did just now.”
“It was my pleasure,” he says in a low voice.
“I don’t know about that,” I giggle.
“It was,” he nods. “But…can I ask a favor of you?”
“Of course.”
His eyes roam all over my face for a second before he continues.
“Say my name, Lorna,” he whispers.
My smile widens. And I gently brush my hand over his cheek before giving him what he wants.
“Thank you…Ashley.”
Six
The sound of my name in her soft voice does something to me. Before I can think, I bend my head to kiss her. Hard. The moment my tongue swipes across the seam of her sweet lips, she opens for me. And I eagerly accept her invitation.
For the next several minutes, I kiss her with all I have. The more I deepen the contact, the more she gives back. And the harder my cock grows as it undoubtedly presses into her thigh. When she slides her hand into my hair, I damn near lose my mind. But when she moans into my mouth and rolls her hips against me, I damn near blow my load.
“Jesus Christ,” I pant as I tear my lips away from hers.
“Why did you stop?” she gasps.
“Trust me, sweetheart, I don’t want to stop,” I tell her. “But for the moment, I have a job to do.”
“And what’s that?”
“I have to go meet with my supervisor to plan our next move against Diamond.”
“Oh,” she breathes.
“I shouldn’t be gone more than an hour,” I explain. “And then I can bring you back whatever you need in case it takes us longer than we’d like to catch that fucker.”
“Oh, okay,” I nod. “Um, I guess a change of clothes would be nice. And maybe some books. A deck of cards.”
My smile widens as I imagine a round of strip poker.
“Not a problem,” I nod. “Let me give you my number so you can text me your sizes and what kind of books you like.”
When she reaches into her pocket for her phone, I very reluctantly crawl off the bed and attempt to pat myself down. She smiles at this and giggles as she asks for my number. Once she has it saved, I tell her what’s going to happen while I’m gone.
“There are two agents sitting on this apartment building,” I explain. “Agents Williams and MacLeish. If for some reason you need to be moved before I get back, they’ll knock on the door and tell you their names. Then you’ll ask them for the code word; tributary.”
“That’s random.”
“That’s the whole point,” I nod. “No one outside of myself and those two agents should be able to get into this apartment.”
“Will you have to tell me the code word, too?” she grins as she rises from the bed.
“No,” I say as I move to stand in front of her.
“Why not?”
“Because I have the key,” I whisper.
She giggles at this and shakes her head. Then she asks the obvious.
“Why would I have to be moved, anyway?”
As much as I don’t want to dampen her light mood at the moment, I can’t let the reality of her situation get brushed aside. So, I tell her the truth.
“If Diamond or one of his associates found out your location and tried to move in, we’d move you again.”
“Oh,” she breathes.
When her face falls, I grip her shoulders and step even closer.
“We’re going to keep you safe, Lorna,” I say softly. “I swear it.”
“Okay,” she whispers as she nods.
“Why don’t you take a bath while I’m gone and try to relax.”
“No,” she says quickly.
“Why not?”
“I don’t want to be compromised if I need to be moved.”
Despite myself, I laugh at this.
“You sure you don’t moonlight as an FBI agent?”
“No, why?”
“Because you’re thinking like one.”
“Is that a good thing?” she grins.
“I’d rather you leave that stuff to me,” I tell her gently.
She nods at this. But before I leave her, I taste her sweet lips one more time. She smiles at this and then I’m out the door, double checking that it’s locked before I jump in the passenger seat of the SUV.
“Everything good?” Waters asks.
“She had a bit of a panic attack,” I say tightly.
“Yeah, right,” he chuckles.
“I wouldn’t lie about that,” I frown.
“Okay,” he shrugs. “So, what was with the hand holding?”
“Fuck off.”
He laughs at this. A little too hard. And I know I’m screwed.
“Damn, man,” he sighs. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
“The great Pitbull Hughes has finally met his match.”
“Why is that such a big fucking deal?” I grumble.
“Because you’ve always been all work and no play,” he says. “And while that’s great for the Bureau, it sucks for you personally. But I think that fiery little medic is going to change all that for you.”
“Just because I held her hand?” I frown.
“No, man,” he says as he shakes his head. “It was written all over your face when you were beside her. But relax, man. I think it’s great.”
I nod and let the subject lie. Until I get a text. From Lorna.
Size 10 pants, large top, size 8 shoe, and I like romance novels
I chuckle and send back a quick 10-4. Then my mind runs wild with the confirmation of her very curvy body and her desire to read about romance and how much I’d like to take a starring role in her fantasies. At least until I can make them real.
Seven
After a quick 10-4 back from Ashley, I wander the small space to take things in. I can only assume that the FBI keeps places like this on hand for these situations. But I wonder if the locations ever change? It would make sense to do so if you really didn’t want someone found, right? Of course, judging by what I find here, it looks like they at least give you the bare minimum to live.
There are basic toiletries in the bathroom, which is why Ashley probably suggested a bath. And the fridge has water and sodas. The pantry contains non-perishables. The sight of which causes my stomach to growl. So, I take off my vest and make myself some popcorn. I usually eat around one in the morning on an overnight shift, so I’m not ready for anything more substantial just yet.
Substantial.
Speaking of which, Ashley had quite the substantial hard on earlier. It was more than obvious that he is well-proportioned. And my God, if his kiss was any indication, he certainly knows what to do with a woman. I was closer to coming from his kiss than I have been with some of my past lovers during the actual act of sex. Of course, the fact that I haven’t been properly laid in almost year probably helped a bit, too.
I putter around the space for the better part of an hour, not wanting to turn on the television because I don’t want to run the risk of a news story about the fucking kingpin that wants to kill me.
“God dammit!” I shout to the air. “This is fucking insane!”
