My heart slams against my ribs, and my nails dig into the armrests.
“Miss Smith, thank you for coming in again.”
I swallow hard before I reply, “I was surprised I had to. When I was here in December, I thought you told me I most likely wouldn’t have to testify because of another witness coming forward.”
She cuts her eyes over to the agent sitting next to her, and my stomach does a somersault. Nothing about that subtle exchange makes me feel good.
When she looks back at me, her face is somber. “I did say that. Unfortunately, that person can’t be located.”
Can’t be located?
Lightheadedness has me swaying slightly as the implications settle into my bones. “Did you not put him into Witness Protection like you did with me?”
“He refused. So, I don’t think you have anything to worry about regarding your own safety.”
A bark of grim laughter rips out of my throat. Franklin’s palm rests on my forearm gently, and my grip on the armrest loosens slightly.
The prosecutor doesn’t take offense at my disregard of her reassurances. She probably knows better than I do about how much danger I’m in.
I get one more sympathetic smile before she pulls a few things from her briefcase. “Let’s go through everything you know one more time.”
Rubbing my forehead for a moment, I steel myself like I’ve done so many times before. “Where do you want me to begin?”
“Just start with the first crime, besides dealing drugs, that you witnessed.”
My pulse pounds in my ears, making it feel like my head is going to explode. No matter how many times I talk about this, it never gets easier. “Okay, well, Reese murdered a rival drug dealer in our living room five years ago.”
I slammy apartment door behind me and push my suitcase in the direction of the hallway. I’ll unpack in a little bit. But first, I need a glass of wine. I don’t even care that it’s almost ten at night and I’ll be at the coffee shop at five in the morning. I need something to take the edge off my scatteredemotions. Pulling a half-empty bottle of white wine from my fridge, I pour a large glass.
With a sigh, I lean against the counter, rolling my neck around before taking a big sip. The last two days have been some of the most taxing. I was grilled for hours about every event that occurred in the last five years and every memory buried deep in my subconscious. It’s disheartening that they still don’t know when the trial will be, or even when all the arrests will be made, but I know the FBI and the prosecutors want this over as much as I do.
I’m raising the glass to take another drink when a knock startles a yelp out of me, and wine splashes over the rim and covers my hand. “Goddamnit,” I murmur as I set the glass down and grab a towel.
I dab my hand as I walk to the door. I assume it’s Jenson needing to be a dick one more time. About to give him as much attitude as I can muster, I whip the door open, but immediately freeze.
Ian stands outside my door. He has his hands on each side of the door frame, accentuating his muscular build. His gaze travels up and down my body, leaving a trail of fiery arousal along its path. When his eyes meet mine, they’re a little wild and unfocused.
“Ian,” I whisper, unsure what else to say. Unsure of why he’s here.
Dropping his hands, he takes a small step toward me. I take a small one back, opening the door wider.
He tsks softly. “Careful, Mags. One might see that as an invitation.”
Goosebumps flare across my arms at his deep, husky voice. It’s slightly slurred, indicating that he’s had more than one drink before arriving here.
But I ask anyway, “Are you drunk?”
Taking another small step into my apartment, I do the same. “I’ve had drinks. Not enough not to know this is probably really fucking stupid, but enough that I also…don’t care.” He steps toward me and tucks my hair behind my ear. “Ask me in, Maggie.”
My chest rises and falls quickly, and I lick my lips. His eyes flare as he tracks my tongue.
I hesitate, but know there’s only one thing to say. “Would you like to come in, Ian?”
His hand finds my waist as he moves me back. I release my hold on the door, and it swings shut behind him. My heart races as he keeps moving me until my back hits the dining room table. A gasp leaves my lips as he spins me around, and his solid front presses against me from behind. His nose runs up my neck and into my hair as he inhales deeply. I’m panting with how much I want him after all this time apart.
“Goddamn, I’ve missed you, Mags.” As his mouth finds the side of my neck, his teeth and lips tease the sensitive skin. I let out a moan when he bites and nibbles his way from my ear all the way down to my shoulder, the pleasurable pain making me squeeze my legs together.
“I’ve missed you, too, Ian. More than I can tell you,” I whisper. I can’t bring myself to care about the consequences of letting him close to me again. This feels too good. His scent intoxicates me enough to know I’m going to give him whatever he wants tonight. Because I’m weak and broken, and right now, he’s the only thing I want to fix me.
