Chapter 3 #2
“We need eyes on the Whitaker gang 24/7,” Harris continued.
“A close position where you two can monitor their movements and gather intel without drawing suspicion.” His sharp gaze moved between them.
“I’ll get the Undercover Operations Unit to get you both put up in one of those fancy empty apartments across from the warehouse.
Your cover is that you’re a young couple who were dicking around on company time to check out the area.
That will give Steele more of a chance to break their code while you keep him safe, McAllister. ”
Silence.
Travis felt the dam cracking just slightly.
Cole, to his credit, was also caught off guard for a second. His smirk faltered, brows raising slightly in surprise.
Then, as expected, he recovered. And worst of all, he leaned into it.
“A couple, huh?” Cole mused, rubbing his chin like he was considering it. “Guess it makes sense. I mean, we were convincing enough yesterday.”
Travis’s invisible collar felt like it was trying to choke him, and with great effort, he kept his face impassive. He ignored the knowing glint in Cole’s eyes and the coiling in his stomach, the sensation that he refused to name.
“No choice in this, I take it?” he asked, his voice strained.
“None,” Harris said firmly. “It’s the best cover we have and time is not on our side.”
Travis inhaled sharply. Perfect. Just fucking perfect.
He could already picture it! A too-small apartment, Cole always in his space, smirking, teasing, pushing every goddamn button he had. At worst, they could be holed up for weeks before the drugs were due to arrive in the city. Weeks of being in each other’s company.
Then Harris dismissed the room and Cole was up and out of his chair in an instant, stretching lazily as he tucked his laptop under his arm. Travis wasn’t far behind him—at least, that had been the plan.
“McAllister, stay back a minute,” Harris said, voice firm.
Travis halted mid-step. He sensed Cole pausing in the doorway, like a dog catching an interesting scent. For a second, he thought the bastard might stick around just to eavesdrop, but after a beat, Cole strolled off.
Travis ignored Cole as best he could and turned to face his boss. When the door clicked shut, Harris folded his arms across his broad chest, eyeing Travis with a hint of almost paternal affection.
“You’re tense,” Harris said simply.
Travis spoke sharply. “I’m fine.”
Harris snorted. “Yeah, sure. And you and Cole actually make a great couple. Jeeze, please.” He gave Travis a long, measured look before continuing. “I heard about the breakup with Suzy.”
Travis drew in a sharp breath, the conversation settling on him like a spotlight.
“Yeah...”
Harris’s tone wasn’t mocking, wasn’t invasive. It was matter-of-fact. Travis had always appreciated that about him. The man didn’t pry. But still, this was the last conversation he wanted to be having with his boss.
“I figured it wasn’t serious,” Harris went on, shaking his head. “But still. It’s never easy when something ends, huh?”
“No, sir,” Travis said stiffly.
Harris sighed. “You’re a good man, McAllister.
And a good leader. But one day, you’re gonna be old like me, and let me tell you—you don’t wanna be old and alone.
I thank the Lord that my Betty has had the fortitude to stand by me all these years.
” He shot Travis a pointed look. “I hope you find a good woman…” He paused, the silence carrying more weight of meaning than his words.
“And when you find her, I hope you keep her. There’s more to life than just this job. ”
Travis’s stomach twisted.
He didn’t react. He wouldn’t react. He just stood there, impassive, unreadable, the same way he always did.
Of course he wanted a good woman, but what woman would stay with a man like him?
But then, he hadn’t been thinking about any of his past relationships in the shower this morning. He hadn’t thought about the women he had dated, the ones who had tried, patiently, to reach him, to connect, only for him to find himself constantly pulled away.
No, he’d been thinking about Cole.
About the heat of his breath, the momentary press of his lips, fleeting and reckless but impossible to ignore.
Travis swallowed hard, shoving those thoughts back down where they belonged.
Harris, oblivious, continued. “And look, I know you think Steele’s the DEI hire…
” he waved a hand vaguely, “but believe me, he’s not.
Kid’s a damn genius with all this cybersecurity stuff.
But he’s fucking cocky as hell. I wouldn’t put you on this mission with him if he wasn’t the best at what he does, but by god, he needs to grow up fast or he’s going to... ”
They exchanged a long weighted look, the kind only veterans shared. They both knew how these things could end up.
“Keep him safe, McAllister.”
Travis nodded in agreement, the boss had spoken, and his orders were clear.
Harris clapped him on the shoulder, firm and solid. “Get your head on straight. You’re one of my best. I need you on your game for this.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Travis nodded one last time, mechanical, automatic, before turning and walking out.
The hallway was too quiet. Too still despite all the activity.
Travis breathed out slowly as he tried to breathe properly despite the tight invisible collar. His mind was a tangled mess of irritation and unease. Prickly, unpleasant feelings that he kept buried deep below the surface had all managed to rise from the deep in one short morning.
The thought of being trapped with Cole Steele so close by, every damn day, playing the role of his fake boyfriend?
How the hell was he supposed to keep his cool?