“I’d love to start our affair right here, but I’d rather not risk getting caught naked.” His voice breaks through the Milky Way, grounding me.
Back in my galaxy, I fumble for words, my mind still light-years away. “Guess we’ll simply have to let those embers of desire smolder awhile.”
His maddening chuckle only stokes the fire. “Sounds like someone’s been reading too many romance novels.”
“Guilty as charged.”
Chapter 11
Hunt
Waking up alone, I thank God I had the sense to leave the sexy border agent at her door. No texts—we agreed. So I don’t. Instead, I press my forehead against the bathroom mirror.What the ever-loving fuck was I thinking?
She got under my skin. I took her to the woods to placate her, not to make out like a randy teenager. I need an ally, not a complication. In addition, I sure as hell can’t risk her daughter becoming collateral damage in this chess game.
This stops now.It’ll sting, but we haven’t crossed the line. Not yet. The memory of her soft mouth lingers, tightening something in my chest. Just because she swore her heart wasn’t involved, it doesn’t mean I believe it. Despite all my screwups, I don’t hurt vulnerable women.
I don’t have time for this shit.
Done examining my feelings, useless as it was, I check the time. Kelly’s at work. Excellent. After layering up, I fire up the rental’s heat and head out.
Her street is quiet. Too quiet. I pull into her drive, scanning for signs of surveillance. If anyone asks, I’m her new boyfriend.
No key under the mat. I tip the flowerpot. Bingo. Inside, I sweep my RF wand through the pine-paneled first floor. Upstairs, I duck beneath a dormer, then freeze. Someone has kept the first room military-neat. I test the twin bed and the antique desk, but everything here is squared away.
The next room has clothes everywhere. USB chargers and extension cords clutter the top of a small bookcase, doubling as a nightstand. No listening devices. Either she’s clean, or someone’s better at this game than I am.
Back at my hotel, I dig into her ex, Peter. I find nothing except parking tickets and a DWI. The real mystery? John Bourdin. No surprise, there. He doesn’t exist.
Once I fire off an email to Wulf’s private account, I drive to the farmhouse nearest where I first spotted the Iranians.
A few knocks later, the door creaks open, revealing a gray-haired man with rheumy eyes under white caterpillar brows.
I extend my hand. “Jack Gurion, Vermont Fish and—”
“I know who you are.” His sharp gaze locks on me, but he doesn’t slam the door.
Encouraged, I talk fast. “I’m researching how Canadian crossings affect the local wildlife. Do I have permission to walk your posted land?”
He scratches his stubbled chin, frowning. “‘Bout time someone checked into this. I’ve complained for years. No one’s done a damn thing. Found a deer carcass a month ago, the meat wasted. That’s mine. I keep some. The rest I use to stock the food center’s freezer. It’s not right.”
A deep arooo echoes inside. Claws skitter on wood, followed by a beagle shoving its nose into the doorway. The frail man finally cracks a smile. “This here’s Brutus. I’m Andre. Neither of us bite…long as you don’t piss us off.”
Chuckling, I offer my hand to the floppy-eared canine. He sniffs, then licks my face.
“Well, I’ll be damned. He don’t like nobody.” Andre’s surprise makes me return his grin.
“Yeah, I get that a lot.”
Wiping away the slobber, I straighten while he holds the screen door open. “Well, ya might as well stay for coffee.”
Later, my fingers itch to text Kelly, but what would I say?I changed my mind and would love to tear up the sheets?
What I can’t say is the truth. Bourdin threatened her daughter, so she cannot be trusted. That’s not a conversation I’m ready to have.
Instead, I install a few trail cams, making sure the locals see me. Despite finishing later, there’s still no word from Kelly. She has to know where I am—what I’ve been doing. Small towns gossip. Everyone knows everything about everybody.
Frustrated by our rules, I return to my hotel for several hours of shut-eye.
