19. Elliot
Elliot
I need air.
My phone rings. I step outside, spoofing my location back to my apartment before I answer.
“Where are you?” Fuller demands.
“I’m sure you know that, Director Fuller.” I stare into the dark tree line surrounding the cabin. “And how do you do on this fine night?”
“Cut the bullshit and give me a report. No one has seen her for days.”
A knot forms low in my stomach.
“I’m on her trail. Give me thirty-six hours and we can have her on the wanted list if she isn’t found.”
“What trail is that, Agent?”
“You ever heard of Project Vine?”
Silence.
“It seems her sister was involved. That’s interesting considering Agent Leighlan wasn’t made aware at the time.”
More silence.
“Any insight, Director?”
This is the first time I’ve pushed. I had to get her and Julian away. And I knew he was at his breaking point with dealing with Lee.
“Don’t tell me that fucking her is clouding your judgment. Know your place, Elliot. You’re there to get proof of her crimes.”
I grind my molars.
“Nope. I’m seeing twenty-twenty right now.”
“Thirty-six hours, then it’s the most wanted list.”
The line goes dead.
I don’t think he knows how to say goodbye. Dick.
Julian glances up when I enter the cabin again. Lee doesn’t look at me. She leans into his shoulder. Her hair is damp, and she's only wearing a long shirt. I can see the outline of her tits through the soft material.
I desperately want to be the shoulder she’s leaning on.
Julian stands after a moment. “I’m going to check the perimeter.”
It’s not really about the perimeter.
“Don’t kill him just yet, babydoll.”
“No promises,” she says, malice in her voice.
He leaves us alone, and the door closes behind him.
She still doesn’t look at me. I expected another fight. My girl’s a beast. She doesn’t take shit from anyone. But right now, she looks so defeated it’s breaking me in two.
“Say something. I don’t like when you are quiet,” I say finally.
“At least I’m not the one brooding in the dark outside.”
I almost smile. Almost make a joke about her watching me. Instead, I ask what is burning inside my soul.
“Do you still love him?”
I need to know. If I can’t get out of this, at least she will have Julian. I’ll find a way for them to be together even if she’s behind bars. Or if I am.
She turns slowly. “What?”
“Julian.” My voice stays even. “Do you?”
Her jaw tightens. “You lost the right to know anything about me when you broke things off with me,” she scoffs. “Honestly, what kind of question is that?”
“A simple one.”
She studies me like she’s trying to decide what I’m actually asking.
“Yes.”
“And me?”
Her breath hitches when I step closer. God, I want to run my hands in her hair. Drag her to her knees, make her open those pouty lips for me and remind her who she belongs to. Rebrand her and remove traces of him.
I can’t. He’s etched in her.
But what about me?
“No. You’re an asshole.” Her lip wobbles, and I almost fall at her feet and beg for her love. Before I can, she says, “It’s complicated.”
My grin splits my face.
“Complicated,” I repeat. “Well, that’s not a no.”
She steps closer.
“Why are we doing this? I’ve agreed not to kill you.
At least not until I know exactly what you told them about me.
I think that is proof enough how I feel.
Now, let’s get to business. You need to brief me on what you uncovered so we can cross-reference your files with her journal and what Julian figured out about the drug. ”
We are doing this because they will use me to get to her if I let them. Because I can’t be the reason she dies. I’ll give my life first.
I don’t say any of that, and the silence stretches between us.
She searches my face like she’s looking for anything to make me the good guy. I’m not sure if I should let her think I am.
What would be the point, if we don’t get to be together at the end of this? Is it better to push her away now? Or pull her in and love her for the next three days before it all ends?
“Was any of it real?” she asks.
I look past her shoulder instead of into her eyes.
“It shouldn’t have happened.”
I feel her flinch.
That was cruel. I meant it to be. I lied to her, but she lied too.
“But how could I be in your vicinity without falling completely in love with you?” My voice roughens before I can stop it. “My love for you has always been real.”
She drags her bottom lip between her teeth. I fight the urge to bite it.
“Deep down you’ve known that all along. Even when I put us on pause.
It wasn’t because I was done with you. I’ll never be fucking done.
I was trying to throw the investigation.
I have everything, including your secret accounts.
Your work with Cal and the hired hit men and the Vegas.
Everything you’ve covered up or exposed, I’ve tried to hide deeper.
If I was going to do anything to you other than love you, you would already be in solitary. ”
Her gaze drifts, and she’s thinking about it. She knows I’m right.
I close the distance between us and grab her hand.
“Look at me.”
Eyes so blue they are almost translucent stare into mine. No makeup and her wild blond hair. She’s never looked more beautiful.
“It was real,” I say.
Then she kisses me.