Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Colt leaned against the wall, eyeing Cannon as the man’s face hardened.
Grew a few shades darker. Since getting involved with Jericho, his buddy had lost some of his cold edge—wasn’t quite as skilled at hiding his emotions.
Not that Colt needed the red cheeks or the hint of a frown to know Cannon was fuming.
Had been since Colt and Ellis had stumbled through the door, well past dark. And Colt knew he’d had the look…
The one that screamed they’d had tangoes on their asses. That he was in prime soldier mode—strung tight. Adrenaline still coursing through his veins. His senses drinking in every sound. Every smell. Anything that might pose a threat. Shutting all that down…
It had been difficult when he’d been in Delta.
Coming back from an op. Surrounded by men fighting with the same sensory overload.
But looking over and seeing Ellis’ slightly pale skin—at the mild tremor in her hands that screamed she was riding the same razor’s edge he was—it jacked-up his protective instincts.
Tinged his damn vision red. If she hadn’t grabbed that EMP.
If he hadn’t trained for years how to overcome the effects of flashbangs.
To operate on muscle memory while his brain was still scattered.
Reeling from the light and noise. If they hadn’t been able to lose those two Suburbans…
Endless string of ‘ifs’ that would have left them both dead. Buried and forgotten. Or maybe weighed down at the bottom of the Pacific.
Cannon scrubbed his hand across his face, glancing over at Jericho in what looked like an effort to calm himself, before pinning his gaze on Colt. “Good thing we’re not still in Delta, buddy, because I would have busted your reckless ass down to private for pulling a stunt like that.”
So much for that calming effect.
Colt held his ground. “It’s not like McCormick’s going to give us information to take him down. We have to seize the moments that offer the best return for the risk.”
Cannon stared at him, mouth slightly open, eyes rounded before tipping back his head and laughing.
“Best return for the risk? Christ, now I’m starting to think you were a CIA plant all this time.
” He shook his head, glancing over at Ellis.
“I gotta admit. I’m a bit disappointed I didn’t get to see you in action, Ellis.
Did you seriously vault onto a guy’s shoulders and wrestle him to the ground? ”
Ellis shrugged still focused on the screen.
She’d been trying to break McCormick’s encryption since they’d arrived, despite the tension suffocating the room.
“I’m not build like a damn tank like you gentlemen.
And I don’t go into my ops armed for bear.
So yeah, I get creative at times. Take advantage of the fact most men don’t see me as a threat—even the ones who know I’m an operative.
That works to my advantage…” She looked up for a second. “Every. Damn. Time.”
“I just hope whatever’s on there was worth it. These kinds of transgressions have a tendency to force otherwise organized men into extreme action.”
She snorted. “Didn’t sound like he was far from switching tactics, anyway. Trying something rash to get me out in the open. Thinking we should have some ammunition before that happens.” She looked directly at him. “Something to trade if it comes to that.”
Other than me.
She didn’t say it, but it hung in the air, regardless.
Cannon glanced at Colt. Face grim at the underlying meaning. “Then, hurry up and crack that damn code, Baker.”
Ellis shook her head, tapping on the keyboard before inhaling. “Whoa. Got it.”
Colt moved over to her, giving the others room to see the screen. She was clicking open files—scrolling through strings of numbers and what looked like invoicing.
He palmed her shoulder. “Well? Was it worth nearly getting our asses capped?”
“Hell, yeah. He’s got manifests. Ledger sheets. Copies of which operative was assigned to each mission. What their stats showed. What he sent on to his contact inside the pentagon. Christ, this goes way up the chain, boys.”
“Does it say who?”
“McCormick’s not quite that giving. But, I’m sure someone could follow the breadcrumbs. Trace it back.” She looked up at Jericho. “I bet the Marshal Service has the resources for that.”
Jericho leaned over Ellis’ shoulder. “Damn straight we do.”
Bridgette cleared her throat, worming her way in beside Ellis. “Maybe you should let the lawyer take a look? I might not know what he’s trading, but after years in organized crime, I know my way around ledgers. Mafia or government, they all end up looking the same.”
Ellis waved at the laptop, sliding sideways as she stood. “I’ll leave you to it. I could use a break.”
Colt cupped her elbow, directed her toward the bedroom. “A shower, food, and some rest.”
Ellis smiled, then glanced back at the computer. The people gathered around it. And the smile faded. Left her looking lost. “The first two I won’t argue about. But we don’t have time—”
“We have enough. Bishop just left with Kameron to go be Six’s shotgun crew for their convoy back here. By the time Bishop insists on circling the damn city, it’ll be a good couple of hours. Come on.”
An arch of her brow and a rise of that beautiful stubborn chin.
Colt chuckled, leaning in close. “So, it’s picking up from last night, then?”
If he hadn’t been hovering a few inches from her face, he might have believed she had every intention of dumping him on his ass.
Maybe a variation of her ninja move from earlier.
The red hue that colored her skin. The increased breath.
How her muscles tensed, fluttering the pulse point at the base of her neck.
All indicators she was preparing for a fight. Except her eyes. They widened slightly, the blue color darkening. More like stormy waves than crystal water. Her pupils expanded, the intense black slowly eating away at all that navy until only a thin rim shone around the edge.
And when he inhaled—it was all soap and citrus and sweet earthy musk.
He’d recognize the scent of her arousal anywhere.
It was seared into his brain. Just thinking about it gave him a ghosted taste along his tongue.
Remembering how she’d unraveled in his arms last night.
Her first climax hot and wet against his mouth.
Ellis released a shaky breath, dampening her lips with her tongue, and damn. It took every ounce of self-control Colt had left not to lean forward and take her mouth in his. Open it up and dive in. Finally expend all the raw energy slowly driving him crazy.
She must have read his intentions. She pressed her lips together—shuffled back slightly. Not enough to break his hold on her elbow. Just a tiny separation. As if she’d needed the small distance to curb her own desires.
Colt didn’t move. Didn’t give her another inch. “Well, sweetheart?”
The corner of her mouth tightened. “I’m not sure I like this new version of you.”
Her voice had barely reached him and certainly hadn’t been loud enough for his buddies to hear. Not that anyone was really looking at them. They were gathered around the computer, voices sounding in the background.
He smiled. “Really? I could have sworn you loved the new version of me last night. Or are you trying to tell me you were faking it?”
Her eyes grew impossibly darker, the pulse kicking up another notch. She swept her gaze the length of him, no doubt noticing the firm press of his damn dick against his jeans. “I thought you alpha types could tell the difference?”
“Thought you operative types could lie your way out of anything?”
A snort then a smile. A huge one. She relaxed, shifting until she was just a breath away. “Get me into that room, and I’ll give you another chance to figure it out.”
Colt would not hike her up on his shoulder, pound on his chest, and stalk into the bedroom.
No way. He had more control than that. Was capable of being discreet.
Not broadcasting to his team that he was seconds away from ravishing the one woman who undid him.
Reduced him to bare bones. Threatened to unravel a dozen years’ worth of training.
It took him several moments to get his damn lungs to breathe. To work out how to get her from the main room to the bedroom without drawing attention. To continue holding her elbow without pulling her against him. Drinking her in.
Imagining what would have happened if he hadn’t opened the door that fateful night helped tame his need enough to nod, motion to the hallway then gently guide her down it.
He was even able to shift one hand to the small of her back.
Just a soft steady pressure on her spine as they walked toward the door.
He didn’t look behind him. Didn’t say anything, aware his buddies would catch the raw tone in his voice.
The strangled words he’d barely be able to get out because all his senses were focused on Ellis.
On the warmth of her skin through her shirt.
The flex of her muscles beneath his palm.
The raspy wash of her breath as she stepped into the room.
And they’d all know Colt was still on the edge, only now it was all centered on her.
On holding off long enough to shut the door, take her in his arms and spin.
She inhaled as her back connected with the door, her body pressed firmly against his.
No hesitation, just her hands spearing through his hair, her mouth lifting to meet his.
He wasn’t sure if she was up on her toes or if she was using her hold to drag him down.
Didn’t care because those perfectly full lips were on his.
Tongue delving deep. And she was moaning.