Edge of Reason (EDGE Security Series Book 2)

by Loye, Trish

  The woman put her hand over her heart and gave a little laugh. “Omigod, you’re so…tall. I thought you were a man.” All three women laughed embarrassedly before leaving the bathroom. Cat stood silent while they did. Responding never helped—she’d learned that in high school. She couldn’t fight them physically, and she had never been good with words.

  She wished Dani were here; her friend could out-snark anyone. Instead, Cat just grit her teeth and did her business.

  She washed her hands and eyed herself in the mirror. She stood taller than most women—and most men—at six feet, and had lean muscular arms and shoulders from doing pull-ups and carrying rucksacks. With her short blonde hair, it was probably easy for people to mistake her for a man. And she wore heels tonight. That made her even taller.

  More of a freak show.

  She blew her bangs out of her eyes. What was she doing here? Why did she even bother to try? She didn’t fit in with these dressed-up dolls.

  But she didn’t exactly fit in with the soldiers, either.

  She shook her head. She was getting melancholy. It was time to go home.

  Cat made her way back to Liam who, by the look of the bottle of wine, was on his third glass. His voice was loud and too exuberant for whatever story he told. She tapped him on the shoulder.

  “Liam, I’m tired and I’d like to go home,” she said.

  “What? No way, Kitty-Cat. Come on, you can stay out a bit later.”

  “I asked you not to call me that.”

  “Kitty-Cat? But you like it.” He reached out and stroked her hair. “You should really grow your hair long. It’d be amazing.”

  She pulled her head away from his hand. “So I can look like Barbie? No thanks.” What had she seen in this guy? Or had she just been tempted because some civilian actually wanted to date her? “I’m heading home. I’ll see you around, Liam.”

  He grabbed her arm. “Wait, Kitty-Cat—I mean Catherine. Why don’t you let me finish my wine and I’ll see you home?”

  His friends Dumb and Dumber stood behind Liam grinning over their glasses. She shook off his hand. “No, thanks. I can take care of myself.”

  Liam frowned. “You know what, Catherine? That’s your problem. You’re too much of a man to accept help from one.”

  She’d had enough. She was aware of someone tall standing at the edge of her vision. Her instinct told her to look, but she needed to finish this. “You mean I should pretend I need you to protect me?”

  His lip curled. “No wonder you’re single.” He turned to his friends. “That bet is not worth it. It’d be like taking a guy to bed.”

  Her insides froze to ice with his words. The sounds of muted conversations and tinkling glasses rushed away. “What did you say?”

  Liam turned to her and put his face close to hers. “I only went out with you on a bet. Seriously, you’ve got more muscles than most men. You’re barely a woman.”

  The ice inside her cracked and split. She wanted to run, but her temper had other ideas. “You were going to sleep with me on a bet?”

  “Yes,” he said, straightening to his full height. “I hit on you that night because I was dared to. It’s been interesting, if nothing else.” He flicked his fingers as if to brush her away.

  She didn’t really recall snatching his hand, twisting it, and digging her strong fingers into the pressure point at the wrist, but suddenly Liam was on his knees before her, leaning forward trying to ease the pain in his wrist and shoulder. She twisted harder and he writhed.

  “Fuck,” he said. “Let me go, you crazy bitch.”

  She applied more pressure and he shrieked. His friends shifted their feet, but did nothing to help their buddy. No worries there. The rest of the crowd had edged back from the confrontation.

  The tall figure in her periphery moved toward her main line of sight. Her stomach dropped. What was he doing here? This was so not her night.

  Petty Officer Second Class Rhys ‘Lucky’ Lafayette didn’t wear his uniform tonight, just a pair of low-slung jeans, a black t-shirt, and a battered leather jacket. He should have looked out of place among all the suits, but instead he radiated such a bad-boy vibe that every woman in the place followed him with her eyes.

  “Hey, Cat,” he said. His eyes flicked over Liam before catching hers again. “Whatcha doing, chère?”

  His Louisiana drawl wrapped around her, just like his strong arms had six months before.

  She swallowed, pushing away the memories of that one explosive night.

  “Just teaching someone some manners,” she said. How much had he heard? Crap. She could feel her face heat. With her pale skin, it would burn bright red. She looked away from those whiskey-colored eyes and down at the man still cursing her. She tightened her grip and he writhed again, but at least he’d shut up.

  Rhys leaned on the table and sipped the beer he carried. “You know, chère, there’s going to be a lot of paperwork if you break his arm.”

  She shrugged. It might be worth it. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be deployed.”

  “I was,” he said. “I did my tour and now I’ve got a new one. I’ll be an E.D.G.E. operator starting tomorrow.”

  Crap.

  Liam squealed, and she realized she’d twisted too hard. She eased off a bit. “You’re assigned to E.D.G.E.? But you’re a SEAL. What about your team?”

  A grin eased onto his lips and lit his eyes, as if he could barely control his laughter. “E.D.G.E. is my team now.”

  This couldn’t be happening.

  Cat saw two male waiters hovering nearby, whispering furiously and gesturing toward her. She yanked Liam’s head back by his hair and leaned in, speaking softly. “If I ever hear of you betting about sleeping with a woman again, I will find you and cut your balls off before you even see me coming. It’s not like they ever got any use before–you’ll hardly miss them.”

  She flung him to the ground and watched for a moment to make sure he wouldn’t attack her when she walked away. Then she picked up her clutch and strode toward the front of the bar. People parted for her. Her heels clicked on the concrete floor in the silence. Everyone watched, but she refused to look around and kept her chin high, though her insides writhed in humiliation.

  Outside, she breathed deep of the crisp late-August air, so different from the heat of the desert where she’d been yesterday. A cool wind from the river blew over her skin and she shivered.

  She knew Rhys had followed her. He stood behind her right now, not speaking. She liked that. He somehow knew to give her space. She took another deep breath, watching the street traffic. “How much did you hear?” she asked.

  “The guy was an ass, Cat.”

  “So…all of it, then.” She closed her eyes. Crap. She did not need the rumor going around the unit that she couldn’t get a date. It was true, of course, but she hated people talking about her. She turned to him. “Look, I appreciate you not interfering in there.”

  He shrugged. “Why would I interfere? You had everything under control.”

  “Right. Just not my temper.”

  He laughed. “I repeat, the guy was an ass and needed to be taken down. He’s lucky it was you. I wouldn’t have let him off so easy.”

  A warmth spread through her at his words, but she ignored it and stifled the urge to smile back at him.

  “Thanks.” Then her mind latched onto the last words he’d spoken in the bar.

  E.D.G.E. Securities, the top-secret, international government unit where she loved working, now also employed Rhys. Her stomach fluttered with nerves. She wasn’t sure if they were from Rhys standing too close to her, or the fact that he could destroy her reputation and even her career with a few well-chosen remarks.

  She lifted her chin. “I’d appreciate you not telling anyone about this.” She waved her hand at the bar and then waved it between them. “Or anything about…that night.”

  His head tilted as he studied her. She wanted to squirm under that intense gaze, but she held st
ill. A slow smile lit his face and his eyes. “I don’t kiss and tell, chère.”

  She blew her bangs out of her eyes. She was too tired to deal with Rhys. “I’ll see you tomorrow at work.” She pretended that thought didn’t make her queasy and started walking home, leaving the temptation of his smile behind.

  What the hell? Rhys stared after Cat as she walked away. He let her go for a moment and just appreciated the view. The top she wore exposed her back and narrow waist. The tight jeans showed off an excellent ass and long legs. The woman didn’t need heels, but he wasn’t complaining. They did something to the way she walked, giving more sway to her stride, focusing his attention there. It brought back memories of their night together.

  He and his buddy Jake had just finished working an op with E.D.G.E., the Elite Digital and Global Enforcement unit. It had been a test run to see if he fit with the E.D.G.E. team. Cat had joined him in the elevator on the way out of HQ. He’d smiled a welcome.

  “Looks like your friend, Jake, found a reason to join E.D.G.E.,” she’d said. “Dani seems like a nice girl.”

  “She’s not the only reason,” he said. “Jake doesn’t make emotional decisions.” At least he never had before. Rhys shrugged. “Either way, I think this assignment will be good for him.”

  She’d watched him a moment. “But not you?”

  “My SEAL team is deploying in two weeks, they’re counting on me.” He didn’t add that he’d already decided it would be his last deployment with them. He wanted to work at E.D.G.E. He loved the idea of what they did, and was ready for something new. He eyed the tall blonde captain in front of him.

  And the scenery wasn’t too shabby, either.

  She’d smiled then and, as his grand-mère would say, he’d seen the devil in her eyes. “Want to grab a drink, sailor?”

  That was an invitation he couldn’t refuse.

  They hadn’t even made it to the bar. He’d snagged her hand once they were outside and the current between them at the simple touch had stopped them both. The vivid blue of her eyes turned darker. He tugged lightly on her hand and she’d come to him willingly. He’d loved her height and how he hadn’t had to lean down to kiss her. But he’d loved the sounds she made even more. Her apartment had only been a few blocks away from E.D.G.E. HQ and they’d run there, laughing, as if they were doing something illicit.

  And technically, an officer fraternizing with an enlisted man was a good way to get court-martialed, but she’d obviously thought he was leaving for good. He hadn’t told her he was coming back, because he suspected she’d put an end to the heaven of that night. And hell, he wanted that piece of heaven. He’d dreamed of it throughout his whole deployment. She was strong and soft at the same time, a combination he couldn’t stop thinking about.

  One he wanted again.

  It had been pure fluke running into her tonight. He happened to be staying in the hotel next to the bar. It wasn’t his usual type of place, but the concierge had recommended it. When he’d seen her there, his gut had tightened and memories of that night had washed over him. It had taken him a long moment to see the tightness around her eyes and mouth, and the stiffness of her body. That’s when he’d seen the asshole speaking to her, obviously giving her some kind of crap. He’d started toward her, but had stopped as soon as she’d put the guy in a wrist lock. Laughter bubbled up inside him even now as he remembered the look on the guy’s face.

  Cat’s face, on the other hand, still had that pinched look as she walked away.

  He shook his head. Maybe she needed a distraction.

  He quickly caught up to her. “Where are we going, chère?”

  She sighed and stopped. “We are not going anywhere. I’m going home. You can go anywhere you want.”

  He grinned when she held up her hand and amended herself. “Anywhere but my place. We had fun one night. But it was only one night. Leave it in the past. We’ll be working together. It’s not appropriate for…” Her hand waved back and forth between them.

  “For?” His grin got wider when she narrowed her eyes at him.

  Then she stepped close. “I will not have you jeopardizing my career. You will keep your mouth shut at E.D.G.E. or I will see your deployment here cut short, Petty Officer.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said without hesitation. But he held her gaze for a moment before replying. “And I’ve already told you, I won’t say anything.”

  “Good.” She turned and strode away.

  He let her get a bit ahead of him before he followed discreetly. Cat could take care of herself, but he’d been taught by his grand-mère to never let a woman walk home alone in the dark.

  After a block, she turned and stared straight at him. He gave a little salute and smiled at the glare she gave him.

  He’d known this would be an interesting assignment.

  Cat scowled at Rhys as he smiled at her, even though the sight of him made her mouth water. Memories of their time together surfaced. Visions of his sculpted muscles and strong hands made her ache.

  Stop that!

  She whirled and stomped away, cursing the man. Did he think she needed protection? She was a highly trained soldier, dammit. She walked faster. Tonight had been a disaster from start to finish, she just wanted it over with.

  Her phone chimed. A small groan escaped her when she saw the caller. Apparently the disaster was still in progress.

  “Who’s calling, chère?” Rhys asked from behind her.

  She walked faster. A glance back showed he kept pace, his eyes glowing with amusement.

  She debated not answering for a moment, but knew that she wouldn’t be able to dodge the caller long. And it would only make the conversation worse when it finally happened.

  She answered. “Hey, Mom.” Her stomach plummeted when she heard Rhys snort softly behind her.

  “Catherine,” her mother chirped. “I’ve been trying to get hold of you for days. Haven’t you gotten my voicemails?”

  “Yes, Mom, but—”

  “Do they keep you so busy at your company that you can’t call your mother?”

  “No, Mom. I mean yes, I’ve been busy. I was away on business.” She hated lying to her mom, but no one, not even her brothers or father in the military, could know what she did.

  “Away?” her mother sounded disappointed. “I thought you agreed to tell that company you didn’t want to travel so much anymore.”

  Her shoulders tensed. She knew where this was going. Rhys was only five feet away as he kept pace with her, listening intently, a devilish gleam in his eye.

  “Mom, I never agreed to that. You’re the one who wants me to stop traveling.”

  Her mother’s long drawn-out sigh made Cat pull the phone away from her ear and curse softly. Rhys chuckled. She scowled at him before putting the phone back to her ear. Her mother was still speaking.

  “…ever meet a nice man?”

  Someone shoot me.

  “I meet plenty of nice men at work,” Cat said.

  Now Rhys sounded like he was choking.

  “But,” her mother said, “are they eligible men?”

  She coughed. “Do we have to talk about this now, Mom?”

  “Between you and your brother Dylan, I don’t know who’s worse.”

  Dylan was only her senior by two years. She’d followed him into CSOR, the Canadian Special Operations Regiment, and he’d been just as proud as her father when she’d earned a spot beside him. Dylan had taken her leaving CSOR hard and it had torn a rift between them.

  “How is Dylan? Have you spoken to him?” Between her schedule and Dylan’s, and him being based in Petawawa and her in Montreal, she hadn’t seen him in a year and hadn’t spoken to him in months.

  “Not recently. You know how busy the regiment is. But I called to talk about you, Catherine.”

  Cat tensed. “About me?”

  “Well, I think you’re working too hard. You’re traveling too much. You should be enjoying life, having fun while you’re young-”

&nbs
p; “You mean dating,” Cat said in a low voice. She could almost feel Rhys’s interest perk up.

  “Sweetie, you know I only have your best interests at heart.”

  “Look, Mom, I’m fine. In fact I was just on a date.”

  Rhys laughed. Cat stopped walking and punched him in the arm. That only made him laugh louder.

  “I hear a man laughing,” her mother said, sounding excited. “Are you still on your date?”

  “No, Mom—”

  Rhys continued to snicker.

  “No, dear. I’m going to let you go. You can tell me all about him later.” Her mother hung up.

  Cat wanted to scream, knowing her mother would call tomorrow and want to hear all about her date. She slid her phone away and pointed at Rhys. “You are annoying.” She strode away and yelled over her shoulder. “And stop following me!”

  He didn’t, of course. He chuckled and followed her to her apartment building door two blocks later.

  “Goodnight, chère,” he said, his voice warm and low. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  She hated that his voice made her insides melt, and it took a moment for his words to sink in.

  Tomorrow.

  She ground her teeth together. “You will not speak to anyone about this evening.”

  A little spark of anger lit his eyes and he moved closer, until she swore she could feel the heat from his body. “I’ve already told you, I won’t say anything.”

  She refused to move back. “Good.” She swallowed, trying to get herself under control. “We probably won’t see much of each other anyway. My team is full.”

  He moved away, his eyes unreadable. “That’s a damn shame, chère. I think we’d work well together.” He nodded at her and sauntered off into the night. She cursed her luck and went up to her apartment, wondering what else could go wrong.

  CHAPTER 2

  The next morning, Cat yawned as she rode the elevator to the seventh floor and wondered whose team Rhys would be assigned to. E.D.G.E. operators usually worked in teams of four. At least she knew Rhys wouldn’t be on hers. She, Lieutenant Colonel Derrick Blackwell, Sergeant Zach Grayson, and former CSIS agent Marc Koven made up Alpha team. They’d all swapped stories of what they’d do with their two weeks off when they made it home.