EXCERPT ~ PRIEST
“Do you know what time it is?”
Becca Tate sighed, juggling her phone as she pressed the elevator button, quickly stepping through the doors when they opened a second later. “Hi, Devlyn. I’m fine. Thanks for asking.”
Devlyn huffed, and Becca knew her friend was switching her cell to the other ear. Probably tapping one hand on the table. “You were supposed to be here nearly an hour ago.”
Becca wasn’t sure how her best friend managed to sound both pissed and worried at the same time, but Devlyn had perfected it. And guilt flooded Becca’s system right on schedule. “I told you tonight wasn’t good for me, but you ignored me.”
“That’s because you always say it’s not a good night for you. This is the fifth time you’ve ditched me.” Another huff. “If you have something you want to say—an opinion you want to share about me and Ryker—then just say it.”
“This isn’t about you and Crow.”
“Right. And I don’t have to dart to the bathroom every hour because this baby’s sitting on my bladder.”
“You’re running to the bathroom every hour because Crow’s always hovering around you, making sure you drink twenty cups of water a day.”
And there it was. Jealousy in its most primal state. Exactly what Becca had been trying to avoid. Her, making an ass of herself because Devlyn had someone who cared, and she didn’t.
“So, this is about Ryker.”
“Dev...” She exited the elevator, pausing to lean against the wall. “You know I love you like a sister, right? That I’ll always be honest, even if the truth hurts.”
“It’s a quality I both love and question about you.”
“Then, believe me when I say, it’s not Crow. He’s wonderful, mostly because it’s blatantly obvious he’s completely devoted to you. Would die for you, not to mention kill anyone who looked at you funny. And you love him. You’re about to have a baby. I’m genuinely happy for you.”
Was that a sniff? What sounded like a choked back sob? Though, Devlyn would simply chalk it up to hormones. “Then, why are you avoiding us? And don’t you dare say you aren’t because I know you. This is how you are when you don’t want to be around someone.”
“I’m not purposely avoiding you, it’s just..
.” How did she admit that a part of her hurt watching the two of them interact without it coming across as even more jealousy?
The kind that ripped friendships apart. Because she wasn’t jealous of Crow.
Sure, the guy was handsome and skilled, but he’d never really caught Becca’s eye.
Not when he’d already been involved with Devlyn the first time Becca had met hm.
It was more the idea of him. Of being part of something bigger.
Devlyn sighed. “You know, if you want to meet someone, you actually have to leave the office, right? Do things, like go to dinner with friends.”
“I leave the office. I’ve just been a bit preoccupied lately. And you’re the only friend I have, so...”
“So, get your ass down to O’Toole’s, and we’ll see what we can do to send you home with the cute waiter. Or one of the college guys at the bar.”
“I’m not going home with a guy who’s likely a serial killer in the making.”
“Becca...”
“Can we just move on to something besides how pathetic my love life is?”
“Promise me you’re on your way here, and I’ll tell you who Ryker’s talking to, right now.” Had Devlyn actually sung that last bit? As if they were twelve years old, teasing each other about their current crush? “Who might be joining us. Who has all the other men in here beat, hands down.”
Becca inhaled, cursing the sudden flutter in her stomach when Priest’s, aka Aaron West’s, image popped into her head.
Ruggedly handsome, with brown hair and sky-blue eyes, the man had been haunting her dreams since she’d met him a few months ago when she’d helped uncover Agent Smyth’s true identity.
Since everything had changed, and she’d secretly started searching for the hacker who’d nearly gotten Crow and his buddies killed.
The asshole who’d put Devlyn’s name on some hit list—a fact Becca wouldn’t let slide without doing everything possible to unearth who the bastard was.
“If you’re talking about Priest, and we both know you are, who says I’m interested?”
“Please. I might have been puking the entire time we were in Blackpine, but I saw the way you looked at him. You never stop in the middle of hacking to thank someone for bringing you coffee. I should know. I’ve been that person for the past few years.
Yet, you paused and smiled for Priest. Every.
Single. Time.” A tsk. “Face it, you’ve got it bad for the guy, and I happen to know he’s casually asked about you, too. More than once, so...”
He’d asked about her? “First of all, there wasn’t any look.
Not like the constant goo-goo eyes you and Crow make.
” She crushed most of the gagging rasp that clawed at throat because…
Damn, Devlyn and Crow were just too perfect.
Too giddy. “I was simply being polite. And second, I’m still standing in the lobby. ”
“The lobby? You’re at work? Why... Damn it, Becca. You’re digging into who Morpheus is, again, aren’t you?”
Obviously, the long nights were getting to her because she never would have let it slip that she hadn’t left the facility if she’d been thinking clearly. Not when she knew exactly how Devlyn would react. “Devlyn...”
“Smithers has assigned an entire cyber unit to gather intel on the guy. And that’s just the NSA.
We both know that the CIA, DIA and every other agency has units devoted to the task, too.
You’re supposed to be giving everything to do with that case a wide berth.
Unless you’re hoping to add your name to that hit list Smyth—I mean Anderson—put out on everyone. ”
“That hit list is exactly why I’m snooping around. And we both know those geeks down in cyber couldn’t find a hidden code if it slapped them in the face.”
“While that’s probably true, it’s dangerous.”
“Says the woman still going into field despite her condition.”
“My condition is fine. And I’m only investigating scenes that have already been cleared. No bullets.”
“Yet. That doesn’t mean a situation won’t crop up where you’re suddenly in the thick of it. And no, you arguing to the contrary doesn’t make it any less of a possibility. Besides, this is the safest place to probe into who Morpheus might be. At least, here, I’m secure.”
“They’ve gotten to people in our office, before. Despite all the modifications Smithers has put in place, nowhere is guaranteed.”
Becca pressed her fingers against the bridge of her nose, inhaling deeply. Once Devlyn made up her mind about a situation, there really wasn’t any reasoning with her. “I’ll be fine. It’s just a couple blocks over to my car and—”
“A couple blocks. Why didn’t you park in the underground garage?”
“Seriously? Have you never watched any kind of police procedural show? Everyone knows there are only three things guaranteed to happen in those places. Either you get killed, abducted, or eaten by some supernatural creature. No thanks. I’ll take my chances with a couple of drunken assholes, any day. ”
“God, you sound like Ryker...” She paused as she said something to the man, his gravelly voice mumbling in the background. “Ryker says to wait there, and we’ll come and get you. Pick this up at one of the pubs a couple blocks over.”
“Dev. I love you, but you’re overreacting. I walk out of here every night, most of those alone and in the dark. I’m fine.”
“And you call me stubborn. At least, use the back exit.”
“Have you seen that alley? It’s dark and creepy.”
“And, yet, a full block closer to the parking lot.”
Becca exited the facility, keeping watch as she made her way toward the lot. “A few minutes, and I’ll be in my car.”
Silence. Nothing but Devlyn breathing on the other end. Not that Becca wanted to piss off her friend, but she’d been looking after herself for a long time. She didn’t need a babysitter, now.
Devlyn continued to huff into the phone as Becca crossed the street then headed for the lot, her blue Volkswagen one of only a few cars left.
Becca chuckled. “Are you going to pout until I hang up?”
“Yes. And you’d better not do that before you’re safely inside your car.”
“This kind of talk isn’t helping me want to make the twenty-minute drive to O’Toole’s. Maybe I’ll just...” She stopped, staring at the unmanned booth at the entrance to the lot. The one that was never deserted, regardless of the time or weather.
“Becca? You okay?”
She blinked, glancing around the area before nodding. “Fine, it’s just... The kiosk is empty, which is odd.”
A sharp inhale, then a raspy breath. One she knew wasn’t Devlyn’s. “Becca? Do me a favor and go back to the facility. Now.” It was Crow, and the man wasn’t hiding the anxious tone of his voice.
“Crow. I’m sure it’s nothing—”
The line went dead. Just like that. Her talking one minute, Crow’s breath sounding in her ear against echoed voices mumbling in the background, then nothing. Just an eerie silence on the other end.
Becca took a step back, quickly scanning the area, again, before turning and heading back to the office. She didn’t run. Didn’t want to attract attention to herself, but she walked quickly. Arms pumping, hips swaying to allow for a faster gait.
Until footsteps sounded behind her. Close. As if someone was following just out of sight. Maybe paralleling her route on one of the alleyways. She increased her pace, breaking into a run once she rounded the corner. Heading for the office doors up ahead on her left.
The footsteps followed suit, each thud drawing her pursuer closer. Decreasing the distance separating them until she saw a dark silhouette pop out from the alley—the one Devlyn had suggested she use earlier—and start toward her at a full sprint.