by Chandra Ryan
“You worry too much. And you’re too serious.”
He looked up at her over the screen. “I thought you were tired.”
“Everything will work out. It always does.” It was her own personal mantra. And so far it’d always been right.
“Until it doesn’t.” He looked back down at his reader. “What would’ve happened today if I’d let them separate us?”
Dread began to fill her again just at the thought. “I don’t know.”
“But you know it wouldn’t have been good, right? That’s what that signal meant. So that’s what you had to be feeling at that time.”
She tried to keep her smile but it’d slipped to a weak shadow. “It doesn’t matter what I felt at the time. There was another path. We took it.”
“It matters to me, Rowe. What happens if we come to a place where there aren’t any other paths?”
She couldn’t fault him for this doubt. He was human. And he thought like a human. “There are always other paths. Millions and millions of them. They branch off in infinite directions.” That was the current theory as to why the Sub Type Five couldn’t remember the visions. There were simply too many to hold them all in their conscious minds at once. And as she thought back to her earlier vision she started to wonder if they’d been going about this all wrong. Maybe if she didn’t focus on holding all the paths she might be able to remember one or two. It’d be something to keep in mind. “When I sense danger, I switch courses.”
“You make it sound so easy. You talk of changing the fates as simply as other women change their shoes.”
She rose from her cot and took the four steps to his before sitting again. “I’m a Sub Type Five. That’s what we do. It’s what I was created to do.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
“I think the better question is, are you?” It was beyond time for her to address the elephant in the room with them. “Would you have been happier with a human partner for this mission?”
He looked up at her with his brow furrowed. “Why would you even ask that?”
Fine. If he wanted to know she’d tell him. “Because the longer we work together, the more distance you put between us.”
“You noticed that, huh?”
Her heart dropped with the admission. Suspecting it was the truth and hearing it put into words were two different things. “I did. You won’t even grab a pizza with me anymore. You really don’t like working with me, do you?”
“No. It’s the opposite.” He reached up and tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear before snatching his hand back. “You’ve always been honest with me. I owe you the same. I put distance between us because I like you. If anything, I enjoy spending time with you too much. Every second I’m around you I want to cross the line. So I put space between us. And when that’s no longer enough, I put more.”
She wanted to believe him. Everything in her wanted to cling to his words. But words weren’t enough. Not when they didn’t make sense. “You like me? Really? Because it doesn’t feel like it.”
“Then let me put the story straight.” He wrapped his hand around the back of her neck. He pulled her toward him. She wondered if he was about to kiss her. But that couldn’t be right. Could it?
Chapter Two
He felt her relax against him but still kept the pressure light. He had to. No matter how fast his heart raced or how badly his head swam with desire, he had to resist the urge to crush her body against his. He couldn’t hurt her any more than he already had. It might have been unavoidable but he was solely responsible for her split lip. He didn’t want to make it worse. Knowing he had to be gentle didn’t make it any easier to keep his body in check though.
And when she moaned and ran the tip of her tongue along the seam of his lips he lost the battle. All thought disappeared in a haze of need. He tangled his fingers in her hair and pulled her to him. Her gentle hiss of pain, however, brought back his earlier concerns. Along with a couple new ones.
They shouldn’t be doing this. It was too dangerous. Even if she weren’t injured, kissing her was a bad idea. They were working undercover together. Business and pleasure didn’t mix. Especially not with the case they were currently working. It was why he hadn’t made a move so far.
Easing his hold on her, he allowed her to break the contact.
“You do like me.” Her pupils were dilated and her breathing fast in response to his kiss. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. It made his heart swell with pride. Even though he knew that kiss was one of the stupidest mistakes he’d ever made.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kissed you. Not now. Not like that.”
She cocked her head and studied him for a second. “I’m okay. It didn’t hurt that bad.”
“It shouldn’t hurt at all. But that’s not the only reason I stopped. Breaking character is a bad idea.”
“You’re wrong.” She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his neck. The featherlight touch made his skin break out in goose bumps. “Breaking character is the best idea you’ve had all day.”
“Rowe.”
She kissed his jaw before saying, “Jack.” And damn if it wasn’t the sexiest word he’d ever heard coming from her lips.
“We shouldn’t…”
She ran her hand up his shirt and he shuddered with pent-up desire. “If you don’t want to, just say so. I’ll stop.” Her tongue swept over his earlobe.
“It’s not a question of what I want.” He wanted to strip her naked and feel every inch of her skin under him. “But what’s best.”
“And you know what that is?” Her voice was lilted as if she was trying not to laugh at him. But she did sit back. Which gave him the space he needed to think clearly. The victory was hollow, however, as he immediately missed her warmth and the gentle pressure of her touch.
Just because stopping sucked didn’t make it any less necessary though. He was right. They couldn’t finish what he’d started. Not here, at least. “You aren’t the only one who trusts her gut.”
“Okay.” She stood and moved over to the other bunk without any further argument. He hated to admit it but it kind of stung how easily she was taking his decision.
“Well. That’s that, then.” He’d said the words more to himself than to her but she nodded as if she heard him and was in agreement.
“It is. I trust your gut too.” She stretched out on the cot and then rolled over to face him. The position change was innocent enough but it caused the hem of her shirt to lift ever so slightly and show off her trim waist. Her skin was so smooth and creamy it practically begged for his licks and gentle nibbles. Not that he could do either. “You should get some rest.”
Trying to avoid the temptation that her body made, he lifted his gaze so he was staring at her eyes. Only he found they weren’t any safer. He’d never seen a more expressive pair. It was like looking into her soul. “We probably both should. It’s been a long day.”
“And it’s going to be a long night.”
“Gut feeling?” he asked.
“No. Just common sense.” She giggled and his lingering sexual frustration disappeared at the captivating sound.
“What’s so funny over there?”
“Common sense isn’t one of my strong points. It seems some of your traits might be rubbing off on me.”
“Not the worst fate.” They were quiet for a few minutes but then he had to ask, “So, has your newfound wisdom made you regret signing up for this case?”
“Nope. It was my turn.”
He wished a little bit of conversational logic had worn off on her as well. Then maybe he wouldn’t have to ask her to explain so much. “Your turn for what?”
“I have no idea.” She sighed as she rolled onto her back. “But it’s going to be life defining when it happens.”
He looked up at the ceiling. “Yeah, I’m sure today was pretty damn defining. Being haggled over like a piece of tech must be the highlight of your week.” He sighed and ran his fingers through hi
s hair. “I’m so sorry we’re putting you through this.”
“I volunteered for this case. And having my monetary worth negotiated over is nothing new to me. Legally I was property for a lot longer than I’ve been free.”
His stomach tightened with a combination of anger and disgust as he realized she was right. “You say that so casually. It was as if you’d just told me about getting a haircut.”
“When you live it every day, it becomes casual. Besides, everything turned out fine. Just as this case will.”
“How can you always be so optimistic?”
“I am where I’m supposed to be.”
He was about to comment on that but the wisp of smoke that tickled his nose changed his train of thought. “Something is burning.”
“Maybe a campfire?”
He sat up and began to sniff at the air. “No. This group doesn’t want the attention from the local authorities that a campfire would bring.”
“Maybe. Or maybe the local authorities are the ones roasting the marshmallows. You can’t build a compound this large without someone knowing about it and okaying the permits.”
He jumped off the cot and started for the door. “I’m going to go check it out. You stay here.”
“No.” She was already off her bunk and walking toward him as he turned to face her.
“That’s an order. It’s not up for debate.”
“You’re my partner. You cannot leave your partner behind while you investigate the case you are both assigned to. It’s against regulations.”
Damn. She did have a point. Still, he didn’t like the idea of her traipsing around at night in enemy territory. “The fire probably doesn’t have anything to do with the case specifically. I can go check it out and come right back.”
“It could be a diversion to separate us.”
He stared at her for a second longer. She looked so damn vulnerable. And it was part of his job to keep her safe. Which meant he only had one option. “Fine. But stay close and keep quiet.”
She nodded but there was no smugness in the gesture or her expression. “Yes sir.”
He’d been wrong earlier. That was the sexiest thing he’d ever heard her say. He pushed the thought out of his mind before grabbing two night-vision visors out of his pack. “Here.” He handed her one of them. “This should keep you from tripping over anything and breaking an ankle. But don’t look at the fire with it on.”
He turned the cabin’s lights off and then, after putting his visor on, opened the door slowly. He didn’t want any of the militia to notice them leaving the small structure. The camp appeared to be fairly dead, though, when he glanced around. It was a little comforting that no one would see them sneaking about. But it also troubled him. There should be some people walking around. Even if he’d been wrong and the smoke was from a campfire and they were off roasting marshmallows, they’d need someone to keep watch. They’d need someone to alert them if the police did show up to investigate.
With a quick hand gesture he motioned Rowe to follow him. The night was quiet so he was happy when she kept her movements as silent as his. He trusted her and she was incredibly smart but she hadn’t been lying earlier when she spoke about common sense. The woman had just shown up on the agency doorstep two years ago. And when they asked her what she needed she’d simply told them she was meant to be there. Prime Minister Lee had to be called in to talk to her himself. When she refused to budge, Lee made her an agent and told the captain to sort it out. He’d been certain she had a death wish. An opinion she hadn’t proven wrong over her years of service. She was good at her job and had one of the best closing rates. But she always signed up for the most dangerous cases and took the biggest risks.
The brush of a hand on his shoulder pulled him back to the present and made him stop. When he looked back at Rowe she was pointing to their right. He hadn’t been in the camp long enough to study all the structures but the agency’s early intel had put the barn in that general direction. He had no idea why Rowe would want to go there but he couldn’t think of anything else she’d particularly want to see in the encampment either. Knowing Rowe, though, it would probably make sense in time.
He nodded and then changed directions. After they’d walked for several minutes, though, he started to wonder if there’d been some mistake. Not that he’d ever tell Rowe he doubted her. But he could smell the smoke getting lighter as they moved. They were walking away from the fire and not toward it. He had to fix this.
After he turned he looked down at Rowe and then pointed back in the direction they’d come. She shook her head and gestured for them to continue. When he took a step to head toward their cabin she grabbed on to his arm and tugged on it. She obviously didn’t think they should go back. But the action was in the opposite direction of where she wanted to go.
He shook his head and took another step toward the smoke. She tugged on him once more but when he pulled his arm away from her she fell into step behind him. He didn’t like upsetting her but he had a job to do.
They walked past the cabin and then started making their way up a grass-covered hill. There were no trees or buildings this far away from the camp. It left him feeling exposed and vulnerable through the entire trek. And when they crested the hill the sensation became too much for him to ignore. He grabbed her hand and pulled her down so she was crouching next to him as close to the ground as possible.
She gasped but then remained silent. When she removed her visor she tightened her grip on his hand though. It didn’t hurt but it did let him know she wasn’t comfortable with their current position. As he took off his visor and looked down on the scene unfolding beneath them he could understand why. About twenty of the militiamen had apparently found some poor unfortunate soul they thought posed some threat. They had him stretched out and tied up and gagged as they flogged him.
That wasn’t what truly concerned him, however. It might not be pleasant but he’d seen plenty of men taking a beating over the years. The man would survive if the flogging was all the militia had in mind. But the nearby pokers sitting in a small fire told him this evening was about to get so much worse for the man in question.
Jack pulled Rowe’s hand to get her to move but she only whimpered as her gaze remained locked on the scene. He placed his other hand on her shoulder and tried to get her to turn. She didn’t seem to want to though. She shook her head and pointed down at the group. She wanted him to help the man. How did he know? Because it was what he wanted to do as well. But he had to stay focused on what he needed to do. This mission was more important than what he wanted. And right now they needed to get out of here before they were discovered. Preferably before they got to the point of the evening where the interrogation included use of the pokers.
But she didn’t seem to agree with his assessment. She dug her heels in and refused to move. Which left him with two options. Either he was going to have to give her what she wanted or carry her back to the cabin. And most likely he would have to carry her thrown over his shoulder.
He thought through each scenario carefully and then drew his weapon. He’d been the one to insist they see what was going on. She’d wanted to keep walking in the opposite direction. If he’d listened to her they wouldn’t be in this position. That meant the first thing he had to do to start fixing their current situation was to listen to her now. He had to at least try to help the prisoner.
Several ideas raced through his head but most of them had to be dismissed because the probability of him and Rowe being caught and killed was too high. The only plan he thought might have a chance was to shoot something with his weapon that would distract the militia and give the man an opportunity to escape.
He couldn’t shoot the man doing the torturing no matter how tempting the thought was. Everybody else was focused on him. If he went down it’d be too obvious. But if he shot one of the men in the back of the gathering it might cause enough confusion to stall the group. He didn’t need much time. Just long enough to shoot the bin
dings that went from the man’s wrists to the stake in the ground that held him immobile. Then the man should be able to get his hands free. That was as much as Jack could do for him though. After that it was up to him to see to his freedom.
His heart beat loudly in his ears as he raised his weapon to aim it. The older guy standing on the outskirts of the gathering looked as good a target as any. Jack took a breath to steady his nerves and then exhaled before he pulled the trigger. The quick blast of light that flared from his gun hit the guy before anybody even noticed the flash. He was thankful for the small bit of luck. If nobody saw the light they wouldn’t be looking for a weapon.
The man dropped to the ground and grabbed his knee. Which was exactly where Jack had aimed. He didn’t want to kill the guy. He just wanted to cause as much confusion as possible. And as the other men turned from the prisoner to see what was happening he knew he’d gotten it right.
He changed his aim to the prisoner and squeezed off a couple more blasts. The heat of the laser fire easily burned through the rope. His wrists were still bound together but his arms were no longer tied to the stake in the ground. The guy must have been waiting for something to tip the scales because as soon as his arms were free he rolled over and sat up. He grabbed a knife to his right that Jack could only imagine had been intended as an instrument of torture and cut the rope bound his ankles. He was free. For now at least. It was time for Jack and Rowe to get back to safety.
This time Rowe followed him easily when he led the way back down the hill. With his visor back on he could see the terrain well enough to be able to guide them back. Which made the body slam that seemed to come out of nowhere and sent him to the ground that much more confusing. And judging by the squeal Rowe made, she had been just as startled.
“Pretty good trick you did back there.”