His lips were suddenly dangerously close, but I sensed the moment he was fighting to shut down his feelings. Pulling away, he winked. “Let me show you my mission control. Then I’ll get us something to drink.”
Mission control was four large screen monitors with powerful hard drives, connection to a secure satellite and communications equipment that reminded me of something the military would have. In addition, there was a camera placed outside the only door leading into the condo and the few windows that opened, allowing for escape in case of a fire. With a fire escape on one side, there were three cameras, two pointing toward the street and one to the roof.
As he brought two cold beers, he noticed what I was looking at. “In case perpetrators land on the roof.”
“Couldn’t they just break the beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows?” I threw him a heated look on purpose.
“Well, I was lucky when I moved in. The developer was just renovating the space. I paid extra for thick glass.”
“How long ago was that?”
“Five years.”
“Raven Intel has been around that long?”
His laugh sent a series of shivers all the way to my toes. “You have no idea how many death threats I started receiving the moment I became a prosecutor.”
“Ouch. What was your most notorious case?”
He led us toward the couch, plopping down and immediately putting his feet onto the coffee table. I did so love a man who didn’t stand on pretenses. “Dante Rinaldi. A mafia Don’s son. I was green and it took me several years until I realized the reason I was given the case.”
With his eyes twinkling, I knew instantly what he was insinuating. “They wanted you to lose.”
“Yep. Back when I worked for a very corrupt boss. It was my first indication that not everything was as it seemed.”
“What happened?”
The swig was long and deep. “Oh, I won. Ten years behind bars.”
“Wow. And your boss?” I curled my legs under me, feeling guilty for enjoying the moment.
“Oh, Jonathan Marks was found guilty of obstruction of justice and disbarred. I think he moved somewhere like to Idaho a couple years ago.”
“Let me guess. You were responsible for his arrest and conviction.”
“Let’s just say I did my civic duty.”
As he laughed, I couldn’t seem to help the intense longing keeping not only a deep throb in my pussy but an ache in my heart. When this was over, we’d return to our regular lives. It was necessary. We lived hundreds of miles away from each otherand he was so very obviously married to his career. “See. You’ve always been a hero.”
His smile instantly faded. “You and I both know that’s not true. I’m not hero material.”
I scooted closer until I was sitting cross-legged in front of him. As usual, electricity raced through me from the sound of his voice.
Low. Rough. Raspy.
And I was wet and hot, incapable of compartmentalizing the way I felt about him. “Then what are you?”
“A true renegade.”
“More like a rogue. But I like the fact you go against the rules. I adore what you and the others are doing, even if you break the law in achieving the end goal.”
With his eyes hooded, he shifted so his knee was bent, his arm sprawled across the back of the couch, a perfect position for him to stroke my arm. While he contemplated the atrocities of this world. “You do realize one day my involvement with Raven Intel will likely get me killed.”
“Yes.” I hated the sound of my voice, timid in its acceptance that he was not only willing but possibly eager to die for the cause. All because of his sister. I pressed my hand against his chest, still able to feel the ragged thumping of his heart.
“I’m no good for you, Reese. The truth is I’m no good for anyone.”
“That’s not true, Kendrick. But until you allow your sister to find peace, you’ll continue to fight the single battle you couldn’t win.And here’s the thing. That isn’t a battle you’ll conquer no matter how much you bend, break, or mutilate the rules.”
