He groaned again and covered his face. “I am.”
She gave an evil laugh, and that made him like—love—her even more.Damn.“I am Solene. Feel my wrath…myasswrath.”
He laughed. “That’s terrible. But kinky. I like.”
She laughed with him. “Come on. Let’s stop moping down here and go upstairs. We have another twenty minutes before we get to Seattle. I could go for a cup of tea.”
“Earl Grey. I know.” And he did know, because he’d committed everything she did and said to memory.
“So, this info guy,” Solene was saying as they entered the passenger deck and food area. They walked to an unoccupied booth and sat on either side of the table. She leaned in close and lowered her voice. “What does Noel think you’re going to get out of him?”
“I wish I knew. Noel’s keeping things close to his chest on this. When you’re dealing with hidden eyes everywhere, and this enemy who’s been two steps ahead of us, it’s best to confer in person. My bet is Noel wants me to work his informant over.”
Her eyes grew wide. “Like, with your fists? Water boarding? Thumbscrews?”
“Seriously? You watch too much TV. More like tricking him into revealing things he doesn’t want us to know. There’s an art to verbal interrogation, you know. I’m pretty damn good at it.”
“Ah. I see.” She seemed relieved.
She watched him. He watched her. Solene seemed to be waiting for something.
He sighed. “What now?”
“Ahem. My tea?”
He bit back a grin. “Yes, your highness. Let me get that for you, my queen.” Too close to the truth.
Solene waved him away like the peasant he apparently was. “Go, sirrah. Fetch my beverage. Add a cookie while you’re at it.”
He stood. “You wait right here, where I can see you.”
“Come on. There are people here. I’m good. Just get me something to eat and drink, would you?”
“You can’t get something yourself?”
“Hmm. Let’s see.” She started ticking off her fingers. “I’ve stayed away from my job, hid out with you, and dealt with the reality of who you and your buddies are for weeks. I think I’m entitled to a little pampering here and there. Don’t you?”
“Well when you put it like that…” Not that he didn’t love waiting on her, but he didn’t want her to knowhow muchhe liked it. At the thought, he paused in step and looked back over his shoulder at her.
She smiled.
He gave her a stupid grin and felt ten feet tall.Oh hell.I’m never poking fun at Noel for being pussy-whipped again.
He fetched her tea and a cookie and picked up a gluten-free fruit bar for himself. As he waited in line to pay, a group of foreign tourists entered and obscured his view of the table.
When he returned to where he’d left her, Solene and her purse were gone, but her jacket and a note remained.In bathroom. Don’t have a hissy. And don’t you dare embarrass me by coming in!
He waited, wanting to trust that she’d be okay, that no one had followed them. He’d made sure they weren’t tailed, had checked their vehicle and found it clean, been as careful as could be about using a secured line, and hadn’t done anything to call attention to them.
But he had a bad feeling. After a few minutes, he grabbed all their stuff, dumped it in a seat by the bathroom, then headed in. She could just be mad at him, because Deacon didn’t fuck around when it came to the mission. And his sole mission right now was keeping the stubborn woman safe.
Solene couldn’t help it.She had to go to the bathroom, so Deacon could just deal. Besides, he shouldn’t take her cooperation for granted. She’d had to pee for an hour, and waiting for him to inspect a bathroom stall was stupid. A glance around showed nothing out of the ordinary, so she headed to the ladies’ room. She even walked in with a pair of older women, making it appear as if they were together, then quickly did her business.
She heard the ladies laughing by the sinks, then the door opened, and they left.
After she’d washed and dried her hands, she moved to leave and found the door locked.
“Hello?” She banged on it once. Weird, and more than a little unnerving.
