Chapter 21
Wolves don’t hunt singly, but always in pairs. The lone wolf was a myth. ~John Fowles
Gwen
Over an hour ago, we dropped off Bourdeau and traded the Volvo for a Ford SUV in the hospital parking lot. Now, facing the bright sun, I lower the visor and glare at my partner.
“Are you going to tell me what’s wrong or continue to pout all the way to DC?”
He sighs. “FBI agents don’t pout, they strategize. You shot an unarmed man, and the DA will undoubtedly come after you. You should learn to think before you act.”
Call me cranky-pants, but his comment has no merit. “Do you think we would’ve gotten Ledbetter’s name or the hard drive if I hadn’t given this matter carefulthought?”
Blue eyes on the pavement, his scowl deepens. “You could be charged with attempted murder.”
“He threatened my daughter. He’s lucky to be alive.” If he hadn’t grabbed the gun when he did, I was so damn angry, I might’ve pulled the trigger.
Mr. Cool glances off the road and glares. “If you go to jail, your husband will have full custody, which was neveryourplan, right?”
“No, of course not.” Sometimes, I do wonder if she’d be better off. Everything that has happened is my fault, and I’ve done nothing except make things worse. Dammit.
I let him hear my heavy sigh. “Perhaps Farid was right. If I’d been a stay-at-home mom, my daughter would be safe.”
Axel’s voice softens. “Don’t even think about it. You shouldn”t give up. You and me, we can beat them.”
He’s so sweet, my throat tightens, and my eyes water. “I’ve been flying solo for so long, I don’t think I know how.”
“We keep on fighting.” The squeeze to my knee acts like a faucet knob, and tears flow.
“I don’t want you to lose your job because of me.”
“We will find this bedwetter and use him to bargain for your freedom. First, I need a copy of everything you uploaded, where you sent it, and all of Henry’s intel, too.”
Sniffing, I search for a tissue in my purse and blow my nose. “Yeah, sure.”
His phone pings, he reads the text, and curses. “My boss wants me to send a report by end of day. Before I do, can you open this?”
After he hands me Bourdeau’s thumb drive, I stick it in my laptop and shake my head, no. “It’s locked. Do you think it’s important?”
“He almost pissed himself when I took it from him.”
“I didn’t notice. Being emotionally blind sucks.”
“I kind of like you the way you are.” His offhanded comment makes my face heat, and I struggle to find an adequate response.
“Ditto.” In the silence, Beyoncé bitch-slaps me on the side of the head. Damn girl, that’s all you got?
Shamed by my shoulder angel, I attempt to make light of the awkward moment. “Do you think, after I serve my time, we can spend our golden years together playing Scrabble?”
He grins. “Anything but Bingo. That’s where I say, hell no.”
“Deal.” As I place my palm on his strong thigh, I recall my legs tangled up in his, and all my lady parts tingle.
He must sense my dirty thoughts because his cock tents under his dress pants. “Damn, imagining you old and gray makes me hard.”
I laugh. “By the time my grandmother reached ninety, she had no verbal filters. Do you suppose it will happen to me?”
“Heaven forbid.” His eyes roll.
As he drives, we talk and laugh like we’ve known each other forever. Too soon, we arrive at my lab. Serious now, Wulf and the guard whisper. After showing our IDs at the front door, we stroll to my cube.
Sitting at my computer, I log in and drop a hidden folder onto a private encrypted space in the FBI’s cloud. “That’s everything.”
“Perfect. Let’s go.” His hand lowers to my back, so I turn, cup his rough cheeks, and perhaps for the last time, kiss him.
“Thank you.” Eyes locked on his, I swallow over the lump in my throat.
“For what?” His tone grows husky, and the black centers of his orbs widen until they almost cover the blue.
“Believing in me, saving me, making love to me.” My heart aches, and I wish we were back at my place. Anywhere but here.
He kisses me with so much passion that my mind goes blank, and my knees grow weak.
After he glances at the ceiling security camera, he whispers in my ear. “Where’s the nearest empty room?”
Grabbing his hand, I pull him to the ladies” room. Inside, we set a frantic pace I’ve only read about in steamy romance novels. My hands climb under his shirt until my fingertips dig into his strong shoulders.
His palms slide under my bra, and he slips it off my shoulders, clasps be damned.
While he caresses my breasts, I undo his belt and unzip him so I can release his long length. He hisses as I curl my fingers around him.
“Turn and put your elbows on the sink, babe.” Standing behind me, he pulls my pants to my ankles.
When his digits lower through my curls and massage my clit, I whimper. “Please, Wulf.”
Giving no warning, he thrusts inside me and stretches me. Stars in front of my eyes, I gasp. He tilts his pelvis up, hits the perfect place, and my knees go weak.
When his hands grip my hips, he pistons, and I match his rhythm. In a dance older than time, we make each other crazy with want.
My sex has never been more swollen, and yet I hold back so we can come together. All at once, he stiffens, and his groan takes me over the finish line. Together, we fly into heaven. Twice…
Sometime later, he pulls out, and his mouth drops open. “Jesus. I didn’t use a condom.”
“It’s okay. Remember? I’m on the pill.”
His face pales. “Listen, about before. I lied. I tested clean at my last physical and haven’t had sex since. My God, you make me lose my mind.”
While not a sonnet of undying love, his words warm me. Clearly, he is not unaffected and could have some feelings for me.
He holds out his hand. “Are you ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.” I’m not looking forward to meeting his boss, but I trust my silver wolf. He won’t let anything happen to me.