“It’s none of your concern. Finish your studies, then go back to the city.” Grabbing a clean uniform and undies, I race into the bathroom.
As I strip, an unwelcome new voice shouts from the other room, “What the blazes areyoudoing here?”
How many times have I told my ex-asshole he cannot barge into my house without my permission?
“I’ll be out in a second, Pete.” I button up my shirt as fast as humanly possible to prevent the shitshow about to take place.
For no reason I can possibly think of, Mr. Wildlife decides to butt into my life once again. “I’m Jack, Kelly’s boyfriend, and you are?”
No, no, no.Zipping up my pants, I rush to the living room, hoping to avoid bloodshed. “Peter, get out. Now.”
“This is what you’re exposing our daughter to? Adultery?” He’s so wrong on so many fronts, it’s not worth the breath it takes to argue.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake. Let me spell it out for you. D-I-V-O-R-C-E-D. It is legally off-limits to you.”
“It won’t be if I take up your loose behavior with Judge Statton.” My ex-husband has got to be the most annoying man on the planet.
Taking a deep breath, I count to ten, noting the time on my phone.
I’m late for work and he is standing in front of my goddamn door.
Gloves off, I poke him in the chest. “Youcheated on me, but I’m the bad influence? You may have married a holy roller, but it doesn’t give you the right to come into my house and preach your fucking upside-down version of the gospel. Get out before I arrest you. I mean it, Peter. I will do it.”
When he recoils his fist, I slip my gun from my holster. “Go ahead. Try it, motherfucker. I have a witness.”
Chapter 9
Hunt
After the scene with her ex-husband, I drive behind Kelly to the border building. There, I sit in the car and debate whether I should invite myself in.
This morning demonstrated how well she can defend herself. So, what happened last night at dinner? Could it be, the alpha in me wants her to be weak so I can play the hero? Perhaps the reason I kissed her is simpler. I’m simply a lonely guy in need of a hot fuck.
Tired of analyzing my motivations, especially in the cold, I turn the locked handle. When it doesn’t give way, I knock. “Hey, Agent O’Malley, it’s me, Sc—Jack.”Holy crap, I almost gave my real name.
As I reel from my misspeak, she opens the door. “Don’t you have some animals to study?”
My hands ache to touch her. Instead, I backpedal a bit. “I would, but first, I have to talk to you… Please.”
Frowning, she raises her gaze to mine. For a moment, she says nothing but steps aside. “Fine. Come in.”
Inside, I help myself to a cup of coffee while she crosses her arms. “If you’re waiting for me to thank you, don’t hold your breath.”
I chuckle. “I figured as much. I didn’t like the way he assumed we were sleeping together.”
“Yeah, well, if he were a decent human being, I wouldn’t’ve divorced him, right? So, why are you here?”
The silence looms. As we stare into each other’s eyes, the black centers of hers widen. Licking her lower lip, she plays with her hair. I don’t need an FBI course in body language to knowshe’s interested. The question is, if I call her out, will she act on her desire, or will she toss me on my ear?
While we’re stuck in the moment, the sun rises a degree through the front window and reflects on a tiny object placed on the paneling above the cabinets.
“For chrissakes.” I place a finger over her lips before leading her outside. “There’s a surveillance camera in your back wall.”
Eyes round, her jaw drops. “What? Are you saying someone is spying on me?”
Biting my tongue, I remind myself I’m not a Fed. I’m supposed to work for the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. “It might not be you. It could be Jeremy or your boss, Dante.”
Her face scrunches up. “Just a damn minute. How did you know it was there?”
