Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
ANITA
I didn't have time for this shit. I was dealing with enough after Krista saw me torturing Alexander and then the bomb she dropped about Hawk. Who conveniently stopped responding to Sloane's messages except to tell us Beckett was becoming a problem.
"Why don't I believe you?" Beckett stepped closer with no regard for the fact that he was putting his life in danger. Did he really think I wouldn't take him out if it meant protecting my team?
"I don't give a shit what you believe," I snapped. "I told you to forget I existed. You didn't do that. Now you're forcing my hand. Which means my team is going to be pissed when we have a dead federal agent to deal with."
Beckett didn't back away. In fact, he moved closer. I kept my stance steady. I had proven several times in the past that I could take him down without a problem. I did however slip my knife from its sheath. If I was going to kill him, I would make it quick.
"You're not going to kill me." He was now toe to toe with me.
"You sound awfully confident in that. Confidence can be a dangerous thing.
" Yet for some reason, I found that trait to be sexy as hell.
Most men backed down when my claws came out.
Not Beckett. He was standing his ground.
Even with a blade between us. I wasn't sure he realized where my knife was positioned, he would bleed out in no time.
"I'm confident in this."
I waited to see where he was taking things when he wrapped his hand on the back of my neck and pulled me forward. I wasn't prepared for him to slam his lips on mine. I gasped at the sudden sensation, leaving my mouth open for Beckett to swipe his tongue inside.
I hesitated for a half a second before my mind caught up to what was happening, and I let myself be swept away in the moment.
The knife slipped from my fingers and clattered on the floor. Leaving my hands free to grab his shirt and yank him even closer so that there was no space between us.
Our tongues dueled for control. I wasn't used to handing over the reins, and it would seem neither was Beckett. It made the kiss that much hotter. The constant back and forth. Teeth scraping. Lip nibbling. A hunger so hot even hell couldn't compete.
Time stood still. Priorities and problems flew out the window. The only thing that mattered in that moment was how my body felt pressed against Beckett's.
I wasn't aware a kiss could light me up like a firework, and yet that was exactly what was happening. Every nerve ending was misfiring, sending me deeper into the abyss.
I wanted to back away. To get as far away from feeling something so magnificent.
I never wanted it to end. Because damn, it was the best kiss I ever had.
My body and brain warred with each other. They tried to argue over who was right.
I ignored them both and let myself feel.
I whimpered when, ever so slowly, the kiss came to an end, and Beckett rested his forehead to mine. "I knew you wouldn't kill me."
It took my dazed mind time to process his words. "Don't get too cocky. There's still time."
This moment was too intimate. I needed to put a stop to it. But why, in the small recesses of my brain, did I want to stay right where we were?
Again I was at war with myself.
"You can't tell me you didn't feel that."
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Deny. Deny. Deny.
"The connection between us."
This conversation was heading into dangerous territory. I needed to get it back on track. "As fun as this has been, I need to get going." I snatched my knife off the floor and slid it back into its sheath.
"No, you're running away."
I narrowed my eyes. "I can still kill you and walk away without missing a beat."
I never had to work so hard to have someone believe I wanted them dead. Most individuals I encountered cried in terror. Either I was losing my touch or Beckett didn't mind meeting his maker.
"Answer me this one question first."
"What?" I huffed.
"Do you know where Alexander is?"
I debated how I wanted to answer that. "Why?"
"I have some questions regarding my case against him."
I wasn't sure if that helped my decision or not. "Sorry to tell you, but I doubt you'll ever get the answers you seek."
"And why's that?"
"Because even if I knew where Alexander was, I don't think I would tell you."
Beckett was so close that the smell of cedar I was starting to associate with him filled my nose.
"Now you're just being mean."
I balled my fists at my side. "I never said I wasn't. You're asking for the impossible. You know the expression 'if I tell you, I'm going to have to kill you'? That's this kind of situation."
"You have my word I won't tell anyone what you're doing with Alexander. I just need information from him. After that, you can kick me out of your life."
Why did the thought of never seeing Beckett again sit like a rock in my stomach?
"You do realize if you put my team in jeopardy, I will kill you without hesitation, right? They're all that matters to me. Hurting them is a death sentence."
Beckett held up his hands. "I swear I won't hurt you or your team. I just need a few moments with Alexander, and then I'll be on my way with my lips sealed."
I couldn't believe I was actually considering this.
"If we do this, we do it my way."
"Understandable. Tell me what to do, and I'll make it happen."
My team was going to kill me. I sent off a text.
TUMBLEWEED. ETA 1 HOUR
They would know it meant we were going into lockdown. All communications would be scrambled so nothing could come in or out.
"Your phone stays here."
Beckett took it out of his pocket and tossed it on the table. "What else?"
"You won't see where I'm taking you. A burlap bag will be placed over your head. Only when we get to our destination can you take it off."
"Not the most comfortable way to spend my time but fine. I'll do it."
I was crazy. This would either end well or go up in flames. If it was the latter, then I would end Beckett's life without ever experiencing another orgasm from him. It was a shame really, but a girl had to do what a girl had to do.
There was a saying that used to annoy the piss out of me. Hoes before bros. In my life, though, it was accurate. My team would come before anyone else. That included the man who rocked my world.