Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Two days.
That’s how long they’d been scouring every inch of the old cannery, only stopping long enough to get a few hours of sleep, recharge. And yet, they’d come up empty.
Bodie raked his hand through his hair, exhaustion weighing heavily on his shoulders as he turned onto the last road toward home.
They’d stopped at the Lighthouse Café, picked at their burger and fries, before grabbing some takeout for Nick.
Rowan sat beside him in her Tahoe, gaze focused out the window as the scenery passed in a shadowed blur.
Fog crept across the ground, clawing at the lower branches, sections of the mist glowing along the horizon as the moon slowly rose across the ocean.
He sighed. He knew she’d been disappointed at the lack of intel, but they needed to rest if they had any hopes of holding off another group of paramilitary assholes when Veridian’s forces came knocking. And he knew, without a doubt, they’d eventually come knocking.
Rowan stirred beside him, catching his gaze in the window’s reflection before she turned, smiled. “I recognize that look. You’re worried Graves is going to send another team our way.”
“We’ve gone two days without an altercation. Feels like we’re out of time because a man with that much to lose doesn’t just give up.”
“Nick’s been at your office the entire time. Swears no one’s come remotely close.”
Bodie merely nodded, tapping his fingers on the wheel as he pulled into his parking lot, hid the Tahoe in his garage.
Rowan jumped out and stepped in front of him before he could dart through the door. “Do you think we screwed up? That I screwed up? That they’ve dismantled their operation here? Maybe moved it? Did we miss our only chance at bringing them down?”
He placed his hands on her shoulders. “I think they’re biding their time until they’re confident they have the upper hand before striking, especially when they have the perfect disposal tool.”
“If they planned on using that toxin, they’ve wasted a lot of bullets.”
“But that’s the issue. They haven’t been able to eliminate us with firepower, so…”
“Or maybe, they realize you’ve got backup, now.”
Bodie laughed, Nick’s voice echoing through the space. He met Nick’s gaze as the other man leaned against the doorframe, hair aimlessly raked in every direction, the outline of the bandages on his right shoulder visible through his shirt. “Aren’t you supposed to be resting?”
“Aren’t you supposed to be getting your asses inside so you can show me what you found?”
Bodie sighed, handed Nick the bag of food before he palmed Rowan’s back and guided her into the building.
“Sorry to disappoint you, buddy, but we didn’t find anything useful, or maybe, just nothing that we recognized.
Buck took a bunch of photos. Dalton’s checking the perimeter with him, then they’ll both drop by.
You can go through the footage, but whoever helped clear out the place was thorough.
” Bodie arched a brow. “The kind of job I’d expect from an agency-level cleaner. ”
“With the connections Walsh has, I wouldn’t be surprised.
But whoever’s leading the charge within the CIA has it locked down.
I’ve called everyone I know, and they haven’t been able to uncover anything new.
” Nick braced his left shoulder against the wall.
Skin still pale, he looked only a breath better than when he’d first arrived.
“At this rate, I’ll have to ask Sloane to go fully rogue and hack her boss’ computer.
That’ll cost me far more than a kidney.”
“The way your eyes light up every time you mention her name, I’d say she already has your heart.”
Nick shoved Bodie as he straightened. “When the hell did you get all sappy?”
“I’m still waiting on that story.”
“And you’ll be waiting for a long-ass time.” He snapped his gaze to the garage door when Buck and Dalton walked through. “You and Rowan should go get some sleep. We’ll go through the footage, see if there’s anything worth sending to Sloane.”
Bodie’s heart skipped at the thought of spending another night snuggled together on his couch — her head on his shoulder, half her body draped over his — but he tamped it down. “We can help patrol—”
“Zain’s running patrols with Kash and Nyx, tonight. Said they felt left out.” Nick smiled. “I think they just need a break from baby duty. But we could all use the help. So, rest. No one’s getting the jump on us tonight.”
Bodie glanced at Dalton — bet his ass the guy would find a way to join Zain and Kash.
Not because he didn’t trust the other men.
More because of the ugly memories this mission had resurfaced.
And not just Evan dying. Learning Rowan’s father was being held captive had obviously opened up a few festering wounds — gotten them bleeding again.
And Bodie suspected sleep wasn’t a luxury Dalton had much of, right now.
Rowan climbed the stairs to his loft, waited as he disarmed all his security, then headed inside.
She kicked off her boots, shrugging out of her jacket as she walked across the room, tossing it over the back of a chair.
He followed, watching her as she glanced longingly at the sofa before angling toward the kitchen.
He shuffled in behind her, shaking his head as she reached for the coffee pot. “Does caffeine have a reverse effect on you? Because most people would be opting for tea or a shot of whiskey.”
She shrugged. “Coffee helps me think.”
“The whole idea of getting some sleep is to turn off your brain.”
“It’s gonna keep processing, regardless. Might as well attempt to give it something useful to focus on instead of…”
Her voice trailed off, but he knew how she’d planned on finishing.
He placed his hand on her hip. “You’ve been better the last few nights. Nothing a gentle rub on your arm hasn’t eased.”
“Which means, I’m due.”
“Or maybe, you’ve just found a way to battle the nightmares that works better than late-night coffee.”
Her muscles tensed a moment before she turned, stared up at him, all big blue eyes and porcelain skin.
He stepped closer, all but trapped her against the counter as he dipped his head down, paused a breath away. “God, you’re beautiful.”
She palmed his jaw, looked at him as if she needed to memorize every detail — drink it all in the way he’d been breathing her in all week. “Is that your go-to phrase?”
“Just my lack of a filter.” He nuzzled her neck, dropped a kiss on her pulse point, damn near died when she moaned his name. “Doesn’t mean it isn’t true, or that I’m not sincere.”
Her breath caught as he nipped his way up her neck and claimed her mouth.
She definitely tasted like the next sixty years. The kind of future he’d never let himself consider. All the leftover trauma from his years in the Army — the endless times he hadn’t measured up. How he’d always been too strong or too protective.
Too much of everything, yet never enough.
Rowan fisted his shirt, holding him close, eyes wide. She opened her mouth, closed it, clinging to him as if she thought he’d disappear. Slip away the second she unclenched her hands.
Bodie brushed back her hair. “Are you okay?”
Her chin quivered. Not much and not something most people would notice, but he did. Saw the slight tremor in her bottom lip, the hint of doubt in the fine lines around her eyes. “I…”
“If I’m moving too fast…”
His chest tightened at the beginnings of a frown. The same look he’d seen on every woman once they’d spent a bit of time with him — seen beyond the curtain.
He swallowed, forced the words he’d been trying to crush. “Or if you’ve changed your mind…”
“No, it’s just…” She pushed out a rough breath, then eased away, putting a bit of distance between them.
He drew himself up, braced for impact. “Rowan, you don’t have to explain—”
“I’m falling for you.”
The words came out in a heated rush, as if she’d been afraid she wouldn’t get them all out.
She snagged her bottom lip with her teeth, worrying it for a bit before sighing.
“Hard. And in a way that feels different. Feels heavy.” She rolled her eyes as she dabbed at the edges.
“I know it’s been a whirlwind, and our adrenaline’s been flowing nonstop.
That all this might be the byproduct of the stress, and the fear, and the fact I’ve never met anyone like you.
” She threw one hand in the air. “You freaking stepped between me and bullets, and you didn’t even blink. Didn’t hesitate.”
She paced a few steps away, as if she needed the space to breathe. “I know that’s what you do, but I’ve been around other guys like you, and they didn’t step up, which means…” She paused, breathed. “There are no other guys like you. And…”
She groaned. “And I’m rambling because I’m tired, and scared, and I really don’t want to say what comes next but…
” Another harsh breath. “It’s okay if this is just a distraction for you.
If you’re not drowning like me, but I’m not sure I can…
” She waved between them. “That if you don’t…
that I’m strong enough to walk away after it’s over. ”
He didn’t wait for her to trip through more words, he just closed the distance, kissed her. Long. Deep. The way he’d been envisioning, no restraint, no second thoughts. Just heat, and skin, and those next sixty years.
She speared her fingers through his hair, scratched a line along his scalp, kissing him again when he eased back, took a breath. He responded in kind, started moving them toward the couch when she froze, locked her gaze on his.
He chuckled. “Right, words, first.” He brushed his thumb across her lower lip. “Do you know what goes through my mind whenever you’re around?”
She shook her head. “That I might be slightly insane?”
“Not slightly.” He smiled when she swatted his arm. “All I can think about is how this feels like the future. That you feel like my future. But in case that’s not clear enough…”