Nox's arrival tomorrow will shift things. She'll dig into the network, find trails the NCIS analysts missed. We'll get closer to identifying the third party. Closer to ending the threat.
My phone buzzes one last time. Sullivan, naturally.
Sullivan: Captain, Garcia wants to know if you need any recovery time or if you're good for the op tomorrow.
I type back:
Tell Garcia I'm unavailable. Still on protective detail until NCIS resolves the threat.
Sullivan: Got it. We'll handle it. Also Santos says good luck with Gwen… and don’t fuck this up.
I set the phone down and tighten my arm around Gwen. Her breathing has already evened into sleep, body warm and trusting against mine.
Tomorrow Nox arrives. Tomorrow we dig deeper into whoever's pulling the strings behind Garrison and Briggs. Tomorrow the investigation moves forward.
But Briggs pinged three miles out and then vanished. That doesn't sit right. Neither does Garrison slipping every roadblock Rivera set up.
They're still out there. And people who run don't usually stay gone for long.
11
GWEN
Sunlight filters through the blinds when I wake, warm and disoriented. Thatcher's side of the bed is empty, sheets cool to the touch. I stretch, feeling the pleasant ache of muscles well-used, and catch the smell of coffee drifting from the kitchen.
He's at the counter, already dressed in tactical pants and a t-shirt that does nothing to hide the muscle underneath. Mugs sit waiting, steam curling up in the morning light.
"Morning," I say, padding across the floor in his shirt from last night.
He turns, eyes tracking down my bare legs and back up. "Morning. Coffee's ready."
"You're up early."
"Couldn't sleep." He hands me a mug. "Kept thinking about Briggs and Garrison still being out there."
I take a sip, lean against the counter beside him. "Rivera will find them."
"Maybe." His jaw tightens. "Or they'll make another move first."
"Which is why you have a team and NCIS backing you up." I set down the coffee, turn to face him fully. "And why Nox'scoming in today to track down whoever's pulling the cyber strings."
"Speaking of which." He glances at his watch. "Nox should be arriving soon. Rivera wants us at the briefing."
"What time is it now?"
"Early."
I process that. "So we have time."
"For what?"
"Shower. Breakfast. Getting ready without rushing." I trace a finger down his chest. "Maybe other things."
His hand catches mine, brings it to his mouth. "Other things?"
"If you're interested."
"Always interested." He pulls me closer, mouth finding mine in a kiss that tastes like coffee and promise. When we break apart, his eyes are dark. "Shower first. Then we'll see about those other things."
