The wind rattles the vinyl siding, thunder grumbles, and after three rings, the asshole picks up. “How smashing to hear from you, luv. You ready to make a trade?”
“Depends on what you have to offer.” My voice remains steady, but my whole body shakes.
His evil chuckle seems right out of a scary movie. “If you’re willing to work for Ledbetter, he will hand this over to the authorities.”
Before I can ask, the phone’s message inbox pings. Biting my lower lip, I click the link, and a video pops up. In it, Brittany, wearing the same red Prada from Monday night, argues with the dead woman in front of a bathroom sink. The short film disappears so fast, I can't hit replay. “How do I know AI didn’t generate the images?”
Danbury laughs. “You’ll just have to trust me.”
“I need some time to decide.”
“I know you’ll make the right decision. Toodles.”
God, I hate this guy.
Back inside, I pour myself a glass of wine, sit, and write a detailed project plan. I’m almost done when Bear barks, wags his tail and runs to the front door.
“Babe, don’t shoot. It’s me.” When my drenched, bedraggled Axel walks into the house, I race into his open arms and hug him with all my might.
“I was so worried.” Tears welling, I inhale his pine forest scent and make up my mind. There is nothing I won’t do to keep him safe.
A heated kiss curls my toes. A few minutes later, we break for air, and I memorize his beautiful face. Even with dark circles under his eyes, a wet beard, and chapped lips, my body aches for him.
“How bad?” Crossing two sets of virtual fingers behind my back, I pray I won’t need Danbury’s video.
“They found my DNA inside the victim.” His words take a moment to penetrate my brain. He must misinterpret my dropped jaw because he cups my cheeks and searches my eyes for proof that I still love him.
“Sweetheart, I swear we never had sex. You’ve been my only partner since I laid eyes on you last summer.”
After I doubted him Monday night, I promised myself I would never do so again. “I believe you, wolfman. How was it done? Did someone hack into the FBI database?”
Sighing, he drops into a kitchen chair. “My lawyer has Patten Securities looking into it. I’m sure my team is working on the problem as well.”
Deep in thought, I hand Axel a sparkling water from the fridge.
As he twists off the cap, his phone rings and he answers. “Hunt? Yeah. Quinn sprang me… No, way worse. They found my fluids inside her…. What? …How the fuck do I know? Sorry. Long night… Thanks. Call me if you find anything.”
When he hangs up, I sit beside him and intertwine our fingers in silent support. “Did you eat?”
“Andy bought me a burger and a pail of french fries, but I hunger for my wife more.” He captures my concerned gaze with such intense heat, liquid pools between my thighs.
“How about the outside shower?” One panty-melting kiss later, I tug him to the white plastic stall behind the house.
While the moon darts in and out from under the clouds, my husband places his badge and weapon on the seat. Relieved he still has a job, I grab the hem of his t-shirt and tug it over his head.
“Didn’t your boss bench you?” I thought for sure, they would.
“First, the FBI will conduct their own internal investigation.” As he strips, Bear woofs, twitches his ears and parks his butt on the ground outside the door.
Knowing he’ll bark if anyone comes near, I pull my sundress over my head.
Both naked, we crash into each other. Two pairs of hands caress each other’s skin. Lips and tongues turn up the heat. Lust simmering, Axel places my back against the cool tiles and turns the faucet.
With lukewarm water sluicing over his silver head, my man grabs the soap. Gaze locked on mine, the black centers of his eyes widen. Slowly and deliberately, he lathers the bar.
My clit tingles.
I swallow hard, and when he slides the suds across my tits, I moan. Once my nipples point, he slips his hands between my legs.
