She didn’t have to nameherfor Nic to understand she still felt guilty over what had happened to Anica Kristic.“You couldn’t have known how that was going to go down, that her own husband was willing to kill her for those artifacts.That wasn’t your fault.You tried to prevent it.”
A corner of her mouth twitched, her eyes darting to Cam.“That’s what he said.”
“For your community service,” Nic said, “might I suggest a women’s shelter or RAINN?”
Her brow furrowed again.“Rain?”
“R-A-I-N-N.Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.I’ve got some contacts there and at the local shelters.I can put you in touch.”
He ignored the slight intake of breath from Cam beside him, hoping he’d leave it alone.Just write off Nic’s knowledge of those organizations as the natural byproduct of his casework, which if anyone looked closely, skewed more heavily toward prosecuting human traffickers, child pornographers, and other serial abusers than most AUSAs.
“Yeah,” Abby said, after a deep breath.“That might be a good fit.”
It might be a better fit for her than she realized given how Becca had controlled and mentally—if not physically—abused her.
There was a knock on the door behind them, and Tony poked his head in the room.“Safe house is ready, boss.”
“You’re okay?”Abby said, brightening, as she stood.
“Yup, despite getting hit with enough tranqs to take down a horse.”
Nic laughed as he and Cam rose.“Because you’re as big as a horse.”
“I’m glad you’re okay,” Abby said, smiling wider, and Tony grinned back.“Your chariot awaits, and by chariot, I mean a Ford Explorer.”
As Abby twirled her hair on the way out, eyes checking out Tony’s backside, Nic wondered how much longer the big man would be single.
He moved to follow them out and finally tackle the Talley-Bowers cage match.“You ready to face the music?”he tossed over his shoulder to Cam and barely finished his sentence, much less his step.
Hand around his upper arm, Cam jerked him back into the room, spun him so his back hit the wall, and swallowed hisoomph, sealing their mouths in the kiss Nic had fantasized about minutes earlier and had intended to wait to claim until they were in private again.
Fuck it.
If Cam wanted to kiss him now—wanted to grind that hard body up against his, thrust a tongue through his lips, and groan his want down Nic’s throat—Nic had no objections.Not after the week they’d had.
When Cam finally broke for breath, he rested his forehead against Nic’s, nuzzling.“Thank you for saving me today.”
Nic lifted his hands, framing Cam’s face and leaning slightly back to meet his eyes.“I’m not risking you either.”He drew Cam in for another kiss, taking control this time as he savored Cam safe and sound in his arms.
He wove his hands through the dyed hair he liked too much, glided them over the broad shoulders and toned back that was warm through the thin T-shirt, and aimed them lower, on his way to grabbing two handfuls of denim-clad ass when a throat cleared beside them.
Cam didn’t shoot out of his arms, probably because the person who’d walked through the door they’d stupidly left open was no longer FBI and because they both knew she could keep a secret.
“Gentlemen,” Mel said, not bothering to hide her smirk as they untangled themselves.
Cam found his voice first.“Thank you for the assist today.”
“Glad I could help.Felt good to be back in the field.”
“Don’t get enough of that as TE’s Chief of Security?”
Mel sashayed around the room, smirk still in place.“That job, no.The other...”Neither Cam nor Nic asked, not wanting the answer.Mel’s bounty hunter business was booming, but they didn’t need the details.“Is a solitary gig.Felt good having the team back together.”
“That it did,” Cam said, and Nic couldn’t disagree.
She tossed her glittery purse on the table and took a seat, making herself at home.“Price, if you have a moment.”
Cam looked back and forth between them.
