by Allie Adams
“Who sent it?”
“We're still working on that.”
“Why now?” Spencer needed more detail. Weber couldn't drop a bomb like this and not expect Spencer to dig. “Does this have anything to do with the Miller search?”
“We're still working on that, too.”
Spencer closed his eyes to the news. Knowing someone out there wanted to hurt Kathryn gnawed at his insides like a wild animal, attacking his control. He couldn't allow this to happen. He wouldn't. “Then the answer is clear. I stay by her side.”
Weber shook his head. “Not an option.”
“Why the fuck not?”
“I just got through explaining why.”
“And me staying away from her is helping her? How?” He refused to allow this to happen. Permission or not, he'd stay by her side. Period. It went against every fiber of his being to stand back and let a threat go like this.
“I'm only telling you this so you'll understand why I want you to stay away from her.”
“You're not making any sense,” Spencer roared, aware of the horror in his voice but unable to control it. “If Kathryn is in some kind of trouble, why wouldn't you want me by her side?”
“Allen—”
He ignored Weber as concern fueled his words. “Who are you going assign to her? Gessler?”
The thought of Steve Gessler being within a football field of Kathryn made Spencer's insides turn upside down. The guy was a man whore who treated his women like his personal play things. He was a damn good agent, but Spencer wouldn't trust him alone with Kathryn. He'd be more focused on fucking her instead of protecting her.
Spencer smacked the desk. “It should be me and you know it.”
“It's not going to be you. It's not going to be Gessler.”
He shot a glare at Weber, who told him more with the look in his eyes than Spencer ever wanted to know. “You are assigning someone to watch her, aren't you?”
Weber shook his head slowly and took a breath to no doubt start in on some bullshit reason.
“Why the hell not? You said yourself that you were worried when you couldn't get a hold of her.”
“Because that isn't our job. We find things. We don't provide security detail on what could turn out to be bullshit. Besides, we don't have the resources.”
“Me!” He slammed his fist into his chest. God, Weber had no idea how close he had Spencer to a stroke. “I know her better than anyone else. I can stay by her side 24/7. No one will get within a mile of her without my permission.” Desperation filled his voice and he drew in several breaths. When he started again, he kept his tone even and cool. “Weber, think about this. By not assigning anyone to her, you are leaving her wide open. I just got her back.”
“Fine. I'll have surveillance bug her. We'll keep an eye on her. Happy?”
Hell no, he wasn't happy. Far from it. “She needs someone protecting her.”
“I don't think you're hearing me, Allen.”
“The fuck I'm not!” When Weber's jaw clenched and his spine went ramrod straight, Spencer didn't care. This couldn't be happening. He wouldn't let it happen. Kathryn would have his protection whether Weber approved of it or not. No one would harm a hair on her beautiful head. He'd see to it. Dragging in a deep breath, he offered up his plan. “I'll protect her on my own time.”
“And if we get another job? I can't have you babysitting your girlfriend while on a find.”
“Goddamn it!” Spencer slammed his fist down on the desk again, his fear overtaking his usually practical senses. “I will not step aside on this.”
“Why do I feel like this plan of yours isn't negotiable?”
“It isn't.”
Weber sighed and rolled his eyes. “Fine, as long as it doesn't interfere with your duties as a TREX agent.”
“It won't.”
“Uh huh,” he replied, clearly doubting Spencer's conviction. “Until we can identify how real this threat is, there's no need upsetting Kat with this information. It stays between us.”
Spencer's jaw hit the floor. “You want me to keep this from her?”
Weber nailed him with a glare that made his insides twist. “It wouldn't be the first time you've kept something from her, now would it?”
FIFTEEN
“We'll dock here and walk the market for a bit, then have some lunch before we head back. How's that sound?” Spencer jumped onto the dock and methodically tied off the thirty-foot Bayliner. He looked ruggedly handsome in his beige sailor sweater and blue jeans. Kat glanced at his feet. He had to be the only person she knew who boated in his waffle stomper, no doubt TREX-issued, black boots.
With a quick peek at her reflection in one of the boat's windows, she decided she didn't care how much better he looked than her. They were together. So she wore an old pair of blue jeans. So she wrapped herself up in one of Spencer's sweaters so big it swallowed her and hung down to her thighs. At least she wore sensible shoes.
She swung her gaze over to the Olympia Farmer's Market. Today was opening day. They'd painted the building a different shade of green and hung a new sign out front, welcoming people to the market. The food vendors lined the outside of the building while the flower vendors lined the front. A mixture of fried foods and flowers wafted from the marketplace down to the docks. She had no idea where they found fresh flowers in the middle of winter, only that the vibrant colors called to her.
The market always opened on the first Sunday in February, and it just so happened to fall on Groundhog's Day this year. Kat and Spencer stayed in bed and watched TV, waiting to see whether good old Phil would see his shadow or not. He did, and that somehow concluded winter would last another six weeks.
She had to get out of the house and suggested they walk the market. Spencer protested and tried to talk her into staying home, and inside. Yet they'd barely come up for air since getting back together. Whenever she did leave the house for the smallest errand, he insisted on going with her.
She'd finally talked him into it, and he then decided at the last minute to take the boat. She hated boats. She hated the water even more. But the thought of visiting the market again, and his promise to take it easy in the boat, convinced her to give it a try. After all, she was all about trying new things now and refused to give into her fear any longer.
He kept glancing up at her as he tied off the boat. In fact, ever since that cryptic call from his SAC ordering him into the office a few weeks back, she'd caught him watching her even more, his attentive gaze ever vigilant.
But the way he looked at her now was different. He kept watch over her like a parent would a child. Add that to the fact he seemed to take an even greater interest in their surroundings lately and she had to admit, it had her suspicions on alert. Every time she asked him about it, he'd change the subject. It annoyed the hell out of her.
It wouldn't hurt to keep trying. “Spence?”
“Hmm?” He brought his head up.
“What is it?”
He grinned, but she knew better. The smile didn't reach his eyes. He studied her, as if trying to memorize everything about her.
“Come here,” he said and held out his hand.
Kat stepped off the boat and held onto his hand for dear life. She'd had a thing against water ever since she was seven and nearly drowned. But somehow, with Spencer around, her fears seemed less.
He lifted her up and pulled her into his arms, kissing her before setting her down on the dock. “You, Katy-Lou, are mouthwatering. We could go back to the house right now and I'd be happy with my dinner.”
“I want fish,” she countered, though the thought of what he had in mind did sound appetizing. Her body agreed and awoke, the anticipation sending ripples straight to her core.
He followed her up the dock and onto the boardwalk. Once the sidewalk widened, he took his place by her side and brought his hand to the small of her back. She loved that. The warmth of his safety enveloped her and she let out a content sigh. He made her feel like she was
his only focus. How long had she waited for him to put her first? And now he did. She smiled and sighed again.
“Fish it is.” He led her to the market and stopped at the first outdoor booth they came to. With a wicked twinkle in his eye and a coy curl of his lips, he pulled a red rose out of a bucket. Bringing it to his nose, he slowly took in its scent. He then faced her and offered it to her. They locked gazes as she drew in a deep breath and allowed the scent from the flower to consume her senses. He licked his lips as he watched her reaction with darkening eyes.
“You want the flower?” the vendor inquired.
“Yes,” Spencer answered, his gaze never leaving hers. With one deft move, he paid the vendor and led her to the next stand.
“Thank you.”
“No, thank you.”
She loved it when he teased her like this. “For what?”
“For the thanks I'll be getting.”
“Is sex all you think about?” She tried to sound annoyed but failed. It was all she'd been thinking about since his comment about dinner.
“Is this a trick question?” Spencer gave her a sideways look and winked. Heat slapped her cheeks. God how she loved it when he did that. “Come on. Stay close.”
His smile slowly faded as he slipped back into TREX mode. The hard lines around his mouth returned. He took in every inch of their surroundings, tracing the market as if seeing it for the first time.
They used to walk the market almost every weekend. The familiarity seemed bittersweet. They'd lost a year of this while they stayed apart due to stubborn pride.
She watched him as he continued to study their surroundings. Something definitely had him on edge. Every little noise caused him to tense and whip his attention to identify the sound. And he insisted on carrying a gun, which he never did when he wasn't on a find.
“Spencer? What's going on?”
“Just like to know what's going on around me.”
“Always on the job?” She took his hand and squeezed it.
He did a botched job at smiling. “Something like that.”
“Can't you just give it up for one day? You don't always have to be the ultimate TREX agent, you know.”
He looked at her, his eyes mixed with a dark emotion she'd never seen before. “Yes, Kathryn. I do.”
She furrowed her brow, his comment plunging into her heart and deflating what little blind optimism she had that things would be different this time. For one split second she thought he might change and put her ahead of the almighty job. She tried not to think about it, but the reality planted itself in her brain.
“Not even for me?” She hated how hopeful she sounded.
“Let's go inside.” He dragged her to a large warehouse instead of answering her, but he didn't have to. She already knew.
Not even for her.
Kat's heart pinched and sent waves of heavy disappointment coursing through her, dragging her down under the realization. The slow, steady singe of reality seeped into her heart and forced her to swallow thickly in order to force her emotions back in. She wished this didn't have to be so hard. So damned painful. Loving him was the easy part. Sharing him wasn't. “Spencer, would you please talk to me?”
“Take a look at this. Ostrich meat.” Spencer pulled her over to a booth, ignoring her question.
“I don't want to look at ostrich meat!” She jerked her hand back and glanced around at all the people that found a sudden interest in the rest of whatever she had to say. “Talk to me, damn it.”
He stared down every last set of eyes watching until no one else dared pay them any attention. As he turned back to her, his eyes blazed, his expression tender yet torn. “Not here.”
“Then when?”
“Kathryn.” He didn't sound angry, which amazed her. Instead, he just sounded tired. “I can't.”
Figured. She couldn't compete with TREX. The agency won every time.
Every time.
It hit her. Hard. They'd never be anything more than friends with benefits. The pain from her epiphany ripped the breath from her lungs. How could she let this happen? She allowed herself to fall right back into the disastrous spiral known as their relationship at mach speed.
“I'm tired of being second in your life.”
His expression deepened as he snapped his brow into a frown. “You have no idea how wrong you are. You aren't second to anything.”
A thousand emotions passed between them. Denial. Hope. Disbelief. Love?
She stepped back and ran into someone. Forcing herself into regrouping, she took in the stranger in the giant cowboy hat.
And froze, shocked at who she saw.
“Travis?” In all the years she'd known him, she'd never even seen him wear a hat, let alone a ten gallon one. She peeked around the obnoxious head gear he hid behind.
He tipped the brim and smiled. “Howdy, ma'am.”
“What's with the hat?”
“You know me. I like to change things up a bit.”
Always. Travis loved to catch her off guard all the time. It was a game to him. When he did, he'd flash that goofy grin and say, “Gotcha.”
Spencer stiffened and squared his shoulders as he slid his arm around Kat's midsection. Travis watched Spencer's every movement. His expression hardened as he zeroed his gaze on Spencer's arm around her.
And then Travis glanced above Kat's head. “My wife loves ostrich meat. I thought I'd surprise her.”
She studied him as he just stood there, looking damn uncomfortable talking with them at all. He shrugged and went to the vendor to place an order for jerky. After he paid and received a bag of his goods, he returned to Spencer and Kat.
Spencer tightened his hold on her. “So, about the Miller search.”
“What about it?” Travis fidgeted as he looked around.
“A little bird told me that you pulled my boss aside.”
Kat jerked her gaze from Spencer to Travis. “Did you?”
He shrugged and smiled sheepishly. “I remember hearing something about Spence getting his ass handed to him the last time you two were…” he trailed off and bounced his attention to Spencer's grip on her.
“And how is that any of your business?” Spencer growled.
Travis wore an unreadable look on his face. She didn't like it. She could usually read people pretty well, but Travis had a gift at being evasive.
Like now.
A deep foreboding crept into her senses. Travis eyed her with a little more attention than ever before, a little longer than a friendly look.
What in the world was going on?
She slowly put the pieces in place. Travis didn't watch her with concern like Spencer. His look darkened as his gaze kept darting to the way Spencer held her to him.
Travis didn't like Spencer touching her.
That would explain the sudden hostility toward her. He didn't want her back with Spencer. He'd always had a crush on her, but she never knew he'd take it so far as to involve Spencer's boss to keep them apart. Besides, he was already married with a plethora of kids.
“Did you hear that Salazar is out of the Miller's house?” Travis clenched his jaw, though he attempted to push out a smile. He looked like he was in pain.
“I didn't hear that.” Spencer watched Travis with hawk eyes. Kat looked between the two men. These two definitely did not like each other.
“I pick things up around the water cooler.”
“Right,” Spencer growled, his eyes narrowing. “And you don't know Damon Salazar personally?”
Travis met Spencer's vigilant gaze. “Why would I know him personally?”
“Just a hunch.”
The tension thickened. They'd never been the best of friends, but they'd also never looked ready to kill each other. Jealousy hung between them. While it may flatter some women to have men fight over them, it only irritated Kat. She wanted to smack them both on the back of their heads.
Travis held up his purchase, fidgeting once again. “Got my ostrich meat. Guess I'l
l see you at the office on Monday, Kat.” He scurried off. If he didn't have on that ridiculous hat he would have disappeared in the crowd.
Kat watched the hat until it, too, disappeared. “What was that all about?”
Spencer turned and looked off in the same direction. He still held his spine rigid, his stance wide. And his hand on her possessively, protectively. “I don't like the way he looks at you.”
“It's just a little crush.”
“I think it's more than that.”
“Spence, he's married. So he likes me. It's not like he's going to go all stalker on me. He's got my back. He always has, which is why I stole him away from the state when I started K-SAR. We're bound to build a relationship.”
Spencer tensed. “What kind of relationship?”
“Well,” she started as she offered him a sideways, teasing glance. “Aside from the ropes and handcuffs we keep in the Com Van, there's the whips and chains we use on each other when we really get bored. He has the cutest dimple on his—”
“I get it,” he cut her off and then chuckled as he shook his head. “Stop. Just stop.” He kissed her temple. “You kill me, baby. All this talk of ropes and handcuffs has me anxious to get you home.”
After her whirlwind of emotional epiphanies since arriving at the market, she was still happy. Blissfully ignorant, maybe. But happy. Even if they were destined to be miserable, it didn't have to start today. She'd worry about the future tomorrow. Right now, she deserved a little happiness and decided to simply enjoy in the moment.
The smell of her favorite food caught in her nostrils and she inhaled long and hard. Ah, gyros. “Hungry?”
“Are we back to where we were before Becker interrupted us?”
She had to laugh at how timid he sounded. “Do you want to be?”
His expression softened as he raked his gaze over her face. “If that means we go back to fighting, then hell no.”
“Then let's have lunch. Where do you want to eat?”