“You get it? Why I can’t give up?” A pang of guilt washes over me, but I swallow it back. It’s safer if she thinks I’m here for the environment.
While she drives, oblivious to my stare, her lips move as if talking to herself. If her scowl is any indication, she has reached a conclusion. “Fine. There’s only one thing to be done. Next time, you take me with you.”
I snort out laughing. “As what? My bodyguard?”
“No, Wildlife, your babysitter.” Her pointed gaze and snarky barb hit their mark dead center.
Ouch.“I don’t think-”
“It’s settled.” Her caustic words remind me of my night in jail. Perhaps, if I let her help with the electronics, we could concentrate on heated kisses—sex against the bark of a maple tree under the moonlight.
As the fantasy plays out, my cock hardens. In my defense, I didn’t sleep much last night. Mentally kicking myself, I remember she’s a gun-toting DHS agent—not someone to be trifled with.
As if hearing my thoughts, she stops at a farmhouse, deals with my broken SUV, then jumps into the driver’s side. “All set. He’ll tow it wherever you want.”
Back at the border building, she hops out, runs around the car, and opensmydoor, of all things. “You can wait inside.”
“I’ll be right in.” Never having a woman act the gentleman is more than a little unsettling.
Putting my battered ego on hold, I text Wulf, who calls back on my burner phone. “Hunt, out of jail so soon?”
“Ha, ha. You’re hilarious. Listen, I don’t have much time. Last night, I saw six men coming over from the north. Two were fully armed professionals. They had eyes in the sky. We’re talking top-dollar. Before I could follow, the local law arrested me. Funny enough, the sheriff knew exactly where to find me. When I returned to retrieve my vehicle this morning, my tires were slashed. I need more intel, like yesterday. There’s a lot more going on under the surface than I was led to believe.” Worried I might be overheard, I move further away from the building.
“How can I help?” I picture my friend in his comfy DC office, wishing like fuck I was still part of his team instead of Batt’s personal abacus.
“I’m sending you a recording. Can you get it translated? I tried, but it was too garbled, and my Farsi is rusty. By the way, if anyone asks, I have followed Batt’s orders to the letter. I am tabulating illegal immigrants. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Wulf whooshes out a long breath. “Keep your head down, my friend. Stay safe. I’ll get back to you the moment I have something.”
Chapter 6
Kelly
While Mr. Wildlife makes his call, I warm my fingers on my coffee mug. The way angry dark clouds whip across the gray sky, I believe the weatherman. The Nor’easter headed our way may well turn into a bomb cyclone.
Friggin’ awesome. I’ll need to fill the snow blower’s plastic gas tank, buy ice melt, and pull the chains from my vehicle’s tire well.
I’m still adding to my mental list when the sexy scientist wanders in the front door. “Hey, Kelly.”
My jaw opens to respond in kind until I realize I simply can’t. “I’m sorry. You don’t look anything like a Jack.
“No? What then?” Smiling, he bites the tip of his glove.
As he removes his outer gear, my fingertips drum the desk. “I’m not sure. Something more nebulous, more unusual.”
“Bruce Wayne? Clark Kent?” His wink makes me blush at my foolish attempt at flirting.
I blame lack of sleep for what passes from my lips next. “I know. The Incredible Hulk.”
Flexing his muscles, he chuckles, sits, then opens his laptop. Ink peeks beneath his flannel shirtsleeve rolled halfway up his forearms. A Semper Fi draws my attention.
No wonder he has thatI could kill you with a spoonvibe. “What was your unit?”
“Force RECON.” His steady, unreadable blue eyes send chills down my spine.
Because he shared his service, I think it’s fair I do the same. “Second Battalion, First Division. Afghanistan.”
Strolling behind him, I pick a pine needle from his hair, surprised at the silkiness of his locks. Holy crap, for a guy who spent the night in jail, he smells delicious.
