Chapter 40
FORTY
Dad and Daddy Sandwich
LILA
My favorite dad-like agent returns to the conference room, holding a single piece of paper and a pen. Without speaking, he sets them in front of me.
I read it twice before I pick up the pen. Once I sign this, it’s official. No turning back.
It isn’t an immunity deal as I hoped. Apparently, they need time to work one of those up.
Lawyers have to be involved and all that jazz.
This process is nothing like cop shows lead you to believe.
Plus, I’ll have to go over my side of the story to a federal attorney before they promise anything regarding the charges I might face.
This is a basic agreement between me and the FBI.
It’s short and to the point. Essentially, it says that I’m voluntarily agreeing to cooperate in the investigation.
In exchange, the FBI will ask the assistant US attorney for leniency for my related crimes when it comes time for prosecution.
I’m also not authorized to commit any further crimes without FBI approval.
If I do, any chance I had at an official deal is off the table.
Of course, the document uses fancy five-dollar words and lists various case numbers, dates, and so forth. But that’s the gist of it.
Likely noticing my discomfort, Agent Dad asks, “Would you like to speak with an attorney first?”
“Oh, it isn’t that. Reed wouldn’t lead me astray.
Plus, I never expected leniency to begin with.
” I lick my suddenly dry lips, unsure how to explain my trepidation.
“I think it’s the finality of what the document represents.
It’s surreal to be this close to the end of the nightmare.
At the same time, I’m unsure how it could ever be in my past. It’s hard to process. ”
“I understand. This whole thing must be horrible for you.”
“Seems like an understatement,” I mumble, finally able to meet his kind eyes.
Something playful illuminates his expression, as if he’s thought of a joke. He proves me right a second later. “Considering I sent Reed to your door, horrible doesn’t capture the trauma. Hell on earth, perhaps?”
My returning laughter is a bit loud for an office environment, so I cover my mouth and try to bite it back.
Although that was hilarious, I need to defend my grumpy man. When I stop chuckling, I feign a scolding. “Now, now, sir. Reed might be all salt and vinegar, but those make delicious potato chips.”
“There it is.” He winks at me like a proud papa. “You pass the test. I give you my blessing to date my partner.”
Oh my feathers. He thinks of Reed as a son? Turns out, he’s been Reed’s Agent Dad all along. Not mine.
I love that for them.
And as a bonus, if I end up with Reed’s ring on my finger—hey, it could happen—that would make Andrews my Agent Dad-in-Law. And I love that for me.
He’s sort of like the FBI’s version of Mr. Rogers. I wonder if he has a cardigan he puts on as soon as he walks in his front door at night, before swapping to comfy deck shoes. I bet he does.
Warren was a beacon of compassion when I was crying about Kenzie.
During my entire interview, I only had to look at him or Reed to calm myself enough to proceed.
Despite the magnitude of this mess, I’ve never felt safer than I did when they were both beside me while I gave my statement to their extremely intimidating boss.
Speaking of Agent Chase, or whatever acronym they kept calling her. She’s the human version of a honey badger.
If Agent Andrews is Mr. Rogers, then Mrs. Chase was created in a lab using DNA from Chuck Norris, Arya Stark, and Katniss Everdeen. She was then raised by Nancy Drew and written by Shonda Rhimes.
Word on the street is that bears hibernate because they heard Agent Chase was considering a winter visit.
Thankfully, she left the room earlier, taking her intimidating presence with her. I felt it briefly return when she called Agent Andrews to summon him to her office to pick up the agreement. Even over the phone, her commanding energy came through.
Or maybe I’m just jealous of her strength.
I repeatedly click the ink pen while staring at the signature line. Before I can tug at the stretched-out elastic waistband of my big girl panties to yank them up, Reed breezes into the room.
Oh, thank goodness.
His assuredness sends flutters of comfort through me. Now that he’s here, the ground beneath me is more solid. The air is lighter. And my heartbeat is steadier.
“Hey,” he says, his voice soothing like a lullaby.
One look and one word. That’s all it takes. I give the pen one last click and scrawl my name on the line.
It’s done.
Agent Andrews reaches across the table to swipe the signed agreement before leaving the room.
At least, I assume it’s him from the tiny view in the corner of my eye.
My focus is squarely on Reed as he circles the table and returns to his seat on my right.
He holds my stare with his every purposeful step.
Unable to speak, I just gawk at him. Not mindlessly or because I’m infatuated with him. It’s as if I’m seeking something only he can give me. Whether it’s his strength, familiarity, or comfort, I don’t know. Maybe it’s all of the above.
I’m snapped out of my haze when several people file into the room at once.
Reed rolls his chair close and squeezes my knee under the table. “These are some of my team members. After introductions, we’ll talk next steps.”
I can’t resist touching him, so I covertly slip my hand on top of his. “Sounds good.”
Reed turns his hand upside down, laces our fingers together, and lowers his mouth toward my ear. “You’re doing great, by the way. I’m proud of you. Chase was impressed.”
His presence was already enough to steady my nerves. Now he’s just making me horny. As long as he doesn’t bust out the dimples, I’ll probably be able to make it a few more hours before I need to get him naked again.
Hopefully.
I scan the room, taking stock of Reed’s fellow FBI agents.
Standing out above the rest is a dark-eyed, handsome man in a cowboy hat.
Wait. A hat? In an office. While wearing a dress shirt and a tie.
I covertly slant my head to check out his legs and yeehaw. He’s got western boots on, and his quads are busting out of his dark gray slacks.
As he slips into his seat, he grins and winks at me.
Nice try, cowboy. I like my men like I like my nemeses—grumpy and with dirty dimples.
A female takes the seat between him and Reed, opening her laptop as soon as it hits the table.
Her glossy brown hair is pulled back into a tight ponytail that gives me a headache just looking at it.
She jiggles the mouse to light up her screen, then arches a brow at the man who enters behind her.
Not a curious brow arch. An accusatory one.
He studiously ignores her, glancing at me with a forced smile. Before selecting a chair, he surveys the room carefully, then chooses the spot directly opposite her.
Until now, I never knew seat selection and eyebrow arching could be antagonistic.
I wonder if Reed knows what their beef is with each other. If not, I bet Andrews does.
And speak of the devil, Agent Dad saunters in next, closes the door behind him, and returns to his seat on my left. Once again, I’m completely out of my element, but thankfully sandwiched by men I trust—Dad and Daddy. Giggle.
I’ve got this. Wear a wire and act like a spy? What could possibly go wrong?
Reed scans the newcomers’ faces. “Where are the others?”
Andrews answers for the group. “The SSA said to proceed without the rest of the team. Divide and conquer.”
Ah! SSA. That’s what they kept calling Chase. A supervisory something or other.
Reed nods and releases my hands. In the stiff tone he used with our father earlier, he makes introductions.
“Everyone, this is Lila Kent. As you know, she’s graciously agreed to cooperate with us.
I’ve promised her we’ll do everything in our power to ensure her safety.
” His voice changes, dropping in pitch to menacing territory.
“And I trust you’ll do your part to uphold that promise. Or else.”
A nervous laugh chokes its way out of my throat, which triggers a few others in the room to react similarly.
Reed shoots an offended glare at me. “What?”
“Oh, come on.” I shake my head, debating whether I can say what I’m thinking. My mouth decides for me. “That was pretty cheesy for someone who buys mild cheddar.”
If he gets mad, I’ll blame my nervousness for that little dig.
Reed tries to conceal his reaction, failing spectacularly. His grin widens slowly until he resembles the Cheshire Cat, but he only gives that smile to me. For the others in the room—who are in various stages of hilarity—he flashes the irritated scowl that was once so familiar to me.
The female agent is the first to speak, addressing the country boy beside her from behind a curved hand. “His smile makes so much sense now.”
Agent Cowboy feigns disappointment, pursing his lips at Reed. “Fallin’ for the mark. That’s a rook move, right there.” He turns his dark eyes on Andrews. “Did you teach him nothing, old man?”
Oh boy. Starting to regret that comment now. I should’ve opted for nonsense.
Even Andrews gets in on the ribbing, pointing an accusatory finger at Reed. “I told you it would reflect poorly on me.”
Guilt grabs hold of my spine as I force myself to meet Reed’s eyes. “I’m so sorry.”
“This was bound to happen,” Reed responds almost flippantly, then sags against his chair with his hands locked behind his head. “Anyone else want to take a cheap shot at the designated asshole? Get it out now so we can start doing our damn jobs.”
Doth my eyes and ears deceive me? Is he . . . enjoying this teasing? Not very stiff if you ask me, which I know you didn’t. Judging by the reactions of the peanut gallery, I’m not the only one surprised by Reed’s nonchalance.