29. Gwen
Gwen
I’m a good girl and check the peephole first. Disappointment fills me to see it’s Julian, not Easton. I swing open the door, not a fan of his sour expression. “What’s wrong?”
He props his hand on the doorframe, leaning in ever so slightly. “Gideon found Zoey’s source in London.”
I fold my arms and remain in the doorway. “That’s good, right?”
He frowns. “Kind of weird that a former MI6 officer who vanished without a trace is suddenly caught on CCTV in London of all places, and not far from where she used to work.”
“Maybe not if she’s innocent. But I assume you’re going to tell me you lost sight of her, just caught a glimpse on camera?”
“Unfortunately, yes and yes. Zoey insists on going, though. She’s packing now. Gideon told her he’s going with her, and Mason was in the room with us when we found that lead, so he’s offered to join as backup in case—”
“It’s a trap?”
He nods. “I’m sure Carter’s going to hate this plan, but Zoey’s leaving whether we want her to or not.”
“And you can’t let her go rogue, I get it. I take it you’re going, too?”
“Yeah. My sister and her husband are in Surrey now. They’ll head over to London and meet us there and see if they can be of help, too.”
I shut my eyes at the mention of his sister, remembering the op that brought down Easton’s bird.
That domino knocked all the rest down leading to this point.
I know that mission has nothing to do with what’s happening now, but someone sure as hell took advantage of the pain of our past to manipulate our present.
Time to stop them from screwing with our future.
“We also have our family’s other team members out that way, too, if we need anything,” he adds while I remain quiet.
Right, his old protector peeps are now their teammates. No longer their shadows. That’s a whole other story for another day, one that ends with the very crash I don’t want to keep thinking about.
I open my eyes, finding Easton and Nash closing in on us from down the hallway. “You sure we should be splitting up like this, even if you have reinforcements there?”
Before Julian can answer, Nash sidesteps him to pull me in for a hug, the door thudding shut behind me. “I’m glad you’re okay. Sorry I was away when this all happened.”
“I was on vacation. You were the one on an op.” I pull back, forcing a small smile. “You shouldn’t have been needed in Dubai in the first place.”
“Well, from what Easton’s told me, there’s a chance that op I was on is somehow tied to what happened to you. Or possibly an attempt to divert Sebastian and myself away from you all.”
“Possibly,” I whisper.
“And you are?” Nash asks Julian.
“No one you need to know.” Julian pulls me in for a hug and says into my ear, “The fewer people who know about me, the better. I’m dead, remember?” He pulls back and briefly meets my eyes. “I should go.” He nods a goodbye to Easton, then turns to leave.
I guess I’ll fill him in on what we found about Bodhi’s old military friend later. “Be safe,” I call out behind him, and he glances back at me for a second before going to his suite.
“Is he always that mysterious?” Nash asks.
“You have no idea just how much,” I say with a small, nervous laugh. “So, are you planning to—”
“Stay despite Easton being back?”
“I hope you do,” I answer as Easton gestures for me to move so he can open the door with his keycard, assuming I left mine in the room. And he knows me well.
“If I’m still wanted, then yeah, I’ll hang out for now until this case is closed.”
“You’re definitely wanted.” I pat his shoulder twice, then turn toward Easton, who’s waiting for me with the door open.
“What’d he want, by the way?” Easton asks, careful not to mention Julian’s name. “And why does he need to be safe?”
About that. I suppose Nash can hear this part since he’s on our team.
“Zoey’s source showed up on a camera in London.
” I duck under his arm, fighting a smile as I recall our texts just before the interruption.
“He’s heading there with Zoey, Gideon, and Mason.
” I don’t want to mention this next part, but I have to.
“Reed and Hollis are on this side of the pond, so they’re going to meet up with them and help out. ”
Easton drags his thumb along the underside of his bottom lip, eyes on the floor. Thoughts of that helo crash probably weighing on his mind. When his gaze slowly lifts to mine, the heaviness in his expression guts me.
“Who’s Gideon? Hollis and Reed?”
“Jason Reed works for Delta Shield Security. Former Army Delta. He married Hollis, and Gideon’s her brother,” I answer since Easton appears still lost in his thoughts.
“You’d know Hollis as Celeste.” Easton finally speaks up, and I almost forgot Nash worked with Carter and Easton back in Carter’s FAFO days.
Who am I kidding? Have we even left those days?
“Hollis helped us on some trafficking leads when Carter was searching for his first wife’s killer.”
Nash’s eyes narrow on him, and I can see the lightbulb going off. “I remember her now.” He arches a brow. “Didn’t you date her?”
Cue jealousy that doesn’t belong inside me.
“Something like that.” Easton wastes no time in grabbing gum from his pocket. Spearmint locked between his molars, he deflects, “Anyway, Hollis’s family is helping us out. And, well, now Hollis, too, I guess.”
Nash glances back and forth between us, and I’m pretty sure he’s sensing we need to be alone.
“I should head to Carter’s room and have him fill me in on what else I need catching up on.
” He wraps a hand over my shoulder and lightly squeezes.
“Really damn glad nothing happened to you. I’d feel absolutely fuckin’ horrible if—” Emotion presses into his words, and he stops himself from continuing.
I cover his hand and nod my gratitude.
Once he leaves and the door is shut, I spin around to face Easton.
He wastes no time voicing my earlier thoughts. “Carter’s not going to like us splitting up like this. What if it’s another distraction? Or even a trap?”
“If it’s a trap, they’ll figure it out beforehand and turn the tables on these pricks.” I force a smile. “So . . . do you have an answer for me?”
“An answer to what?”
“You know about what.”
He fake scowls. “The movie?”
“Mm-hmm. We have a lot to do today, but it’ll help relax me before bed so I can sleep. Can’t have me tired and grumpy tomorrow. I’m no good to anyone like that.”
He shakes his head, and I know he’s going to say yes. “Maybe.” He holds up a hand, anticipating my protest. “But no horror flicks.”
“Why? Worried I’ll crawl onto your lap?”
His wolfish, sexy grin about sends me over the edge. “You know that’s the only reason you want to watch a scary movie, don’t try to lie to me.”
“And you already know in your arms is where I feel safest.”
He cuts the space between us to practically nothing as a wave of desire cruises through me. Chills flutter up my back, causing my nipples to harden. His gaze moves to the tight fit of my shirt, as if he knows the reaction I’m having to him.
Then he surprises me by cupping my cheek, and I turn my face into his warm palm and do something equally shocking—I kiss the inside of his hand.
It’s daring and bold, but I’m done pretending we’re only friends.
“You promised me you’d behave before you went to bed last night.”
“No, you asked me to behave today, and I declined,” I whisper against his palm.
“Then promise me you will tonight if I watch a movie with you.” His voice is deep and silky, and despite his request, something tells me we’ve officially crossed the line of innocent flirting to “dangerous.” But is it really bad if it makes us both feel good?
“Why are you so afraid of me?” I accidentally ask what’s on my mind instead of what I meant to tease: Why do you want me to behave?
He quietly stares at me, little lines forming around his eyes and mouth. “I’m not afraid of you,” he says hoarsely. He leans in so close the tips of our noses touch as he rasps, “I’m terrified.”