by Chloe Barlow
“Fuck. Anyone we’ve seen before?”
“Not sure. He was smart enough to keep his face mostly hidden, and screwing our chances of running him through our facial recognition databases. Either way…”
“I know. Claudia and I have to get the hell out of here.”
“Everything is set up for you. I just left her place. I was able to make my way in. I found your duffel and the suitcase she’d packed. I added a couple things I’d want her to have if I were in your position,” he added, with a lascivious tone to his voice.
Trey clenched his free hand in response to Stephen’s ribbing. Stephen was only slightly less of a man-whore with women than Trey was — or at least used to be, before Claudia had him so distracted — and the thought of him in her house made Trey consider doing violent things to his old friend.
“Don’t even fucking joke about that, dude.”
“You’ve got a lot more to worry about than me going through your precious little Agent McCoy’s panty drawer. You know it, too, or you wouldn’t have brought me into this. Because, if she’s right about that bloody Sydney job being connected to Jack Taylor’s murder…”
“I know. I get it.”
“Do you? Did you tell her about Operation Lexis?”
“Hell no.”
“It’s only a matter of time before she figures out something. It looks like she sniffed around about Sydney more than you realize.”
“Christ. She is so fucking stubborn.”
“If you care about this girl at all, you need to keep her as far away from Lexis as possible.”
“No shit. It feels like my full-time job since I met her is trying to keep her safe.”
“But it’s not enough just to protect her. You have to ask yourself if you believe in Claudia, and trust her, enough to let her help you for real.”
“Spoken like a true CIA handler. Claudia’s not a spy.”
“But she’s a part of your team. And she’s taken this personal project of yours to a whole new level you either couldn’t, or wouldn’t, see before.”
Stephen paused, allowing his statement to sink in before going on.
“I’m on the way to get your new car to you. It will be about a block from the entrance to Washington’s Landing, so you can walk to it. I made sure Claudia’s FBI sidearm is in her suitcase. You’ll also find a briefcase of weapons hidden in the wheel well, under the trunk cover. Leave the keys to Claudia’s car under her driver’s seat for me. Your destination is already programmed into the nav. I can get Claudia’s car back to her house. We don’t need any questions about it.”
“You’re a good friend, man. I owe you.”
“Just keep the two of you alive. At least long enough for us to figure out what the hell is going on here. I’m going to put tabs on her place, make sure no one has compromised the inside. I’ll do the same at yours.”
“It’s probably not a good idea for me to use this phone anymore,” Trey muttered into his cell. “I’ll call you with the burner as soon as we get to the safe house.”
Trey swallowed hard, staring across the room at Claudia laughing and smiling with Tea and Aubrey.
She looked so relaxed and happy, like someone enjoying the pleasure of leading a normal life.
I hope it was good while it lasted, he thought bitterly.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Jenna, get over here!” Tea exclaimed, gesturing rapidly for the pretty blonde to join their conversation. Claudia was still laughing from Aubrey’s last joke when Jenna found her way to them.
“What’s up, girls?” she asked.
“I was just telling Claude about how Johnny insisted on raking your and Wyatt’s leaves outside before the party started,” Tea gushed.
“Oh yeah, that was sweet,” Jenna answered, though her attention was still focused on Trey, her mouth set in a tight, frustrated line.
“You know my boy doesn’t work for free. What are you going to pay him?” Tea asked.
Jenna turned her gaze to her friend, letting a mischievous smile creep across her face. “I don’t pay for cuteness, Tea. I care about performance. He did a terrible job. Three dollars, I guess,” Jenna stated slyly.
“You’re a rotten girl. You get me every time!” Tea exclaimed, slapping Jenna’s upper arm with enough force to knock her body a bit off-balance.
“Then don’t be so easy to tease, Tea,” Jenna answered, her voice breaking with laughter.
“No chance of that ever happening,” Claudia interjected.
“See! I told you this smart-ass would fit in just right,” Aubrey cheered. “Claude, enough girl time. It’s time to focus.”
“What?” Claudia asked, laughing roughly under her breath.
“I meant it when I said I’d make sure you and me get the most out of tonight. Besides, I could really use a win right now,” she added darkly.
“Brey, I don’t know if I should really…”
“Save it, girl. I get you’re kind of new to this whole game, but now that everyone around here insists on pairing off, I need to bring you under my wing. Look, Jason’s coming back now. Set your phaser to stunning, girl.”
“A Star Trek reference? I didn’t know you were a closet geek, Brey,” Claudia teased before turning to see Jason’s handsome face approach her again.
Handing her a cocktail, Jason smiled and probably gave most of the women in the vicinity a mild heart attack.
“Here’s your dry Boyd & Blair vodka martini, just a little dirty, and extra olives. How’d I do?” he asked with an easy confidence, which was at once calming, and captivating.
“You did perfectly. It’s definitely my favorite. Thank you for remembering, especially about the extra olives. That’s where all the nutrition is,” she joked in response.
Yet, no matter how charming Jason might be, Claudia felt her eyes finding their way to Trey’s side of the room. His back was to her, but she could see tension in his muscles as he gripped his cellphone tightly. Whomever he was talking to, the conversation didn’t appear enjoyable.
“My pleasure. It’s good to see you again. I just found out yesterday I’ve been picked up to play for the Roughnecks, so I’ll be in Pittsburgh now. Maybe I’ll be able to catch up with you more regularly?”
“That’s wonderful! Congratulations.”
“Thanks. My agent, Gabe, gets a lot of the credit. Well, him and the brutal hit J.J. Cole took to the head during the last game. A suspension isn’t enough to punish that lineman for what he did.”
“How’s J.J. doing? Have you heard anything?”
“Wyatt knows better than me, but word around the locker room is he’s not doing very well. This is his third concussion in two years. We always have to worry if it’s finally the one you don’t come back from. Football gives a lot, but it can also take away so much more.”
“Jesus. I grew up around football, but I still get nervous every time Wyatt takes a big hit. I don’t know how she does it,” Claudia mused, nodding to Jenna, who was still nearby, and pretty clearly eavesdropping on their conversation.
“When you make football your life, it’s important to be with someone who understands everything that goes with it. Jenna gets it. So do you,” he added, his blue eyes meeting hers steadily, and she had no words in response. “On a less depressing note,” he continued. “No matter how long the Roughs need me, I’d really like to see more of the city while I’m here. I was thinking maybe you could show me around?”
“I’m still pretty new here myself. I’d just be able to show you the FBI office parking lot and the inside of my house.”
His eyebrows raised in response, immediately causing Claudia to choke a bit on her drink.
“Oh my god. That’s not what I meant.”
“I know. Relax. Though I’m not opposed to the idea.”
“Oh, uh, well,” Claudia stammered out, only to jump at the feel of a firm hand on her upper arm. Her nostrils filled with the scent of Trey, before she’d even turned to identify him.
&n
bsp; “Trey, hi. This is Jason. A friend of Wyatt and Jenna’s.”
“Hi,” he grunted out rudely, though he caught himself, remembering to put out his hand to shake Jason’s. “Nice to meet you,” he mumbled before abruptly stating, “Claudia, we have to go.”
“Go? Now?” Claudia asked, truly perplexed.
“But you guys just got here,” Tea lamented, adding to the tense tableau, which Jenna and Aubrey quickly joined, as well.
“You can’t leave. The kids aren’t even back from trick or treating, yet,” Jenna explained.
“Something’s come up with work. It can’t wait. Come on, Claudia.”
“What’s going on?” Wyatt asked suspiciously, suddenly appearing at Jenna’s side. Claudia was starting to feel pretty exposed and uncomfortable, what with almost every person she knew in Pittsburgh surrounding her with varying levels of distress in their eyes.
“We have to leave for D.C. right away,” Trey answered before Claudia had a chance to speak.
“Why in the hell would you do that?” Wyatt demanded.
“Trey and Claudia have been working together at the FBI,” Jenna answered.
“How did that happen? And why am I just learning about this now?”
“Because it’s none of your business, Wy,” Claudia snapped. “And Trey thinks it’s important we leave town immediately, so we’re heading out.”
“Oh, I bet he does,” Wyatt sneered. Turning to Jenna with recognition in his eyes, he added with irritation, “You were talking about Claudia before, weren’t you?”
“It was a private conversation, Wyatt,” Jenna answered.
“That’s not an answer.”
“Tell him, Jenna,” Trey interrupted, his fists clenching. Claudia spied Jason, Aubrey, and Tea attempting to put a suitable distance between them and the dispute, and it just embarrassed Claudia more. But Trey wasn’t finished. “If Jenna won’t, then I might as well. See, she asked me to babysit your sister while I’m helping the FBI, but now she doesn’t like my techniques. Looks like you aren’t the only one with secrets, Wyatt.”
“What the hell, Doc, he’s fucking with me, right?”
“Calm down. I just asked him to look out for her, nothing more.”
“I’m sure he’s doing more than just that.”
“So what if he is?” Claudia demanded, leveling a fierce stare at her older brother.
“He’s way too old for you.”
“He’s as old as you are!”
“Exactly.”
“And Jason’s age is okay?”
“Jason is the right kind of guy for you. It’s totally different.”
“So it’s not an age thing.”
“Yeah, maybe it’s just a Trey thing.” Wyatt turned to Trey, “Tell me, Trey. So you couldn’t have Jenna, now you want to settle for my sister?”
“That bullshit again? Watch it, Wyatt. I’m not opposed to beating the shit out of you in your own house, but we don’t have time right now.”
“You could never even dream of being good enough for Claudia. The two of you will never be a we.”
“Wyatt! Enough,” Claudia exclaimed, but he ignored her. Claudia turned to Trey, but was floored to find Wyatt’s words had knocked him off-balance a bit — as though he might agree with him.
Wyatt leveled his gaze at Claudia, apparently trying for another tactic, “Abeja…”
“Don’t call me that right now,” Claudia seethed, irritated at her brother’s use of her family’s childhood pet name for her at a time like this.
“Fine. Claudia, what do you think Mama would say about you being with someone like him?”
“You’re going to go tattle to our mother? You really do think I’m still twelve years old.”
Trey moved closer to Wyatt, their eyes locked in anger, “Fuck you, McCoy. This has nothing to do with you.”
Wyatt pushed him.
“It has everything to do with me. I’m her brother. It’s my job to protect her.”
“I’m looking after her now. And we need to go.”
“Trey, calm down,” Jenna intoned. “And Wyatt, you really need to relax.”
“All of you can stop with this protecting me crap. I’m a grown-ass woman.” Claudia heard her voice rising and a hot flush ran to her cheeks. “This conversation is over, Wyatt. I’ll call you from D.C., but we are leaving. Good night.”
“Come on, little one, let’s go,” Trey stated brusquely, grabbing her hand in his and pulling her out the door.
Since she’d met him, every one of Trey’s touches always seemed to fill her with a flood of powerful sensations, but none of those moments had anything on the fierce impact, which came from his palm on hers for the whole world to see.
Trey shifted the black Mercedes S600 sedan Stephen had hidden behind a cluster of trees for them into gear, and eased onto the road. His heart was still racing from the surreal combination of his argument with Jenna and Wyatt, mixed with the adrenaline racing through his bloodstream from Stephen’s bombshell.
“Why aren’t we taking my car?” Claudia asked suspiciously, as she examined the view from her window and side-view mirror.
“We needed something new.”
“I checked the area before we left and didn’t set eyes on any threats. Do you think we’re being followed?”
“I can’t be too careful. And we aren’t going by your place either. There’s no time.”
“How come?”
“Just trust me.”
“Damn it, Trey. I do everything you say…follow you around like an obedient freaking puppy. The least you can do is tell me why you had to drag me out of my brother’s place and start a McCoy civil war.”
“From my viewpoint, you were more than happy to take up arms.”
“Maybe I was, but it doesn’t change that I need you to be honest with me in return. So tell me what the hell is going on, or I swear I’ll…”
“David’s dead.”
“What? He can’t… I don’t understand…”
“He was found hanging in his cell.”
“That’s bullshit. He was too much of an egomaniac to kill himself.”
“My thoughts exactly. Which means someone took care of it for him.”
“We need to get to the office. There’s going to be a debriefing. They’ll be looking for you to help.”
“No.”
“Just, no…”
He turned to her and apparently the worry on his face must have been enough to shut down all her anger.
Looking back at the road, Trey explained, “I have reason to believe someone may be targeting you because of your theories on this case. You were the next person scheduled to meet with David. If the killer knew that, you could be next, and I can’t let that happen.”
“That’s no reason to abandon my obligations to the Bureau.”
“It’s the only one, which matters to me. Period. It’s just too unsafe to have you in Pittsburgh right now. David’s dead, nothing will change that. We’ll never know what he might’ve told you. But I can’t care about it right now. The important thing is you don’t end up like him. Got it?” he added, his voice raised and taut.
“Okay,” she answered softly, placing a hand on his knee, rubbing a tight circle on the side of his leg with her fingers, which was at once soothing, and insanely hot. He looked at her from the corner of his eye, and saw a slight smile gracing her pretty face. His breath skipped in his throat in response.
“Good,” he answered, letting his shoulders loosen slightly, as he picked up speed on the parkway out of town. There were no other cars in sight, but he couldn’t get too complacent.
“So we’ll deal with it in D.C.? I guess headquarters does make the most sense now.”
Trey remained silent, working the inside of his lip ring with his tongue, rather than respond. He’d already told her more than he’d intended.
The constantly fluctuating temperatures of Pittsburgh in autumn had brought a heavy blanket of fog to the world around them.
It lay against the asphalt with tendrils arching into the inky black sky, reaching for the curved branches of the trees above, providing the deceptive appearance of security.
Claudia’s voice broke through the silence.
“So, where’d you get this ride? Did you knock off a drug lord?”
“No. My friend Stephen picked it up for me. I gave him access to my emergency cash, so he could help us get out of town. We’d planned on having a little more time, but luckily Stephen is great at spending my money.”
Trey grabbed her hand from his knee and kissed her knuckles lightly, one at a time, before laying her hand back down on his leg.
“What do you think?” he asked, gesturing to the dashboard.
“I think it’s a good thing you’re very rich,” she joked. “But it’s really hard for me to just leave town. What about my insulin?”
“My duffle has a small cooler bag with plenty of fast-acting insulin, and several slow-release pens in case your pump malfunctions.”
“Since when did you become the diabetes expert?”
“Since I met you,” he answered, sending a smirk her way, and enjoying the shy smile he received in return.
“Fine,” she answered, grinning fully now. “What about my clothes?”
“The suitcase you’d started packing is here in the car. If you need anything else, we’ll buy you the rest tomorrow.”
“How’s? My suitcase was in my townhouse.”
“Stephen made sure it got in here.”
“But I thought he was in D.C. Isn’t that why you wanted to go there in the first place?”
“Stephen is very mobile.”
“That doesn’t make any sense,” she replied, and her smile disappeared and her brow furrowed. “Wait a second, you didn’t get on the turnpike. This isn’t the way to D.C.”
“We aren’t actually going there.”
“What in the holy hell, Trey? You just told me we were on our way to D.C. headquarters.”
“No. You said that, and I said nothing.”