Both of them had been released from their respective jails this morning, directly into FBI custody. In exchange for all charges dropped, they belonged to the feds until the investigation was complete.
The media weren’t told until after he and Valerie were in interrogation, and by the time Scott was allowed to leave the federal building in Alexandria at four this afternoon, the press was long gone.
Kurt had given him a ride home, and then Scott had gone grocery shopping and basically kept himself busy until he got word that Valerie was done for the day. He hadn’t seen her since he surrendered to the cops on Thursday night, and his patience was shot to hell.
Now it was six p.m., and Scott stood outside the locked entrance to police headquarters in Fairfax, in a yellow spotlight cast into the dark by a lamppost. The cold air turned every breath to frost, and for the first time in a long time he was frozen to his core.
Everything hinged on this moment. What if Valerie had come to her senses during the last three days without him? What if she didn’t want an ex-con in her life? A killer at that.
Outside, he was still as a statue, but inside he was a roiling mess.
He was learning to believe that he deserved friendship and love, but it didn’t come easy. Up until last week, he’d still felt like the FNG—Fucking New Guy—at Steele, still felt like he was proving himself to the guys. Even after they all worked together in St. Isidore, he’d been an outsider. A Marine, not an airman. A sniper, not a PJ. Short and compact, not tall and broad. And at twenty-seven, the youngest of them all.
But every single man at Steele—and Tara—had come to his and Valerie’s aid, never doubting or questioning that he was on the side of right, never stopping to consider the risk to themselves for helping him. He would have done the same in their shoes, yet it had still shocked him.
On the drive to Scott’s apartment this afternoon, Kurt had even floated the idea of offering Valerie a job as a computer specialist at Steele. No one else would touch her right now, and the company could use someone with her skills.
Why had Scott held everyone at bay for so long? He wanted their friendship, that sense of brotherhood and teamwork. Time to burn his hair shirt and start living. And loving. Otherwise, he might as well let the feds lock him up again.
He shivered at the thought. Never. Again.
Across the concrete pad, two figures appeared backlit in the doorway, and his pulse shifted into overdrive. The woman broke away and approached him slowly, her face hidden in shadow. “Scott?”
He stepped toward her with his arms out, heart pinned to his chest. “Hey, baby.”
She hesitated, and he stopped breathing.
“You left me,” she accused.
He swallowed hard and dropped his hands. “I’d do it again to keep you safe.”
“Always the protector,” she said softly, moving closer.
“I’ve been called worse.”
Half laughing, half sobbing, she threw herself into his embrace. “I missed you,” she said against his shoulder, her grip around his waist like a vise as her escort disappeared into the building, leaving them alone.
“Me too,” Scott said, his throat tight. “Me too.” He wanted to laugh and cry and shout and drop to his knees. Instead, he tipped her head back gently and pressed his lips to hers.
She was as hungry as he was, and the kiss quickly turned frenzied.Thank God, thank God.He slipped a hand down to cup her ass and pull her closer.
A sharp whistle of appreciation rent the air as a vehicle approached. “Woohoo! Get iton,” a man yelled through the window as the car passed by and rounded the corner.
“Oh, my God.” Valerie broke away with an embarrassed laugh. “We should probably go.”
Scott grinned and reluctantly released her, but held out his hand. “Come home with me?” He held his breath.
She laced her fingers with his. “Yes.”
Yes.He kissed her quickly and tugged her toward his Jeep, which sat in one of the nearby parking structures. They crossed the street and passed a small, empty lot where the city hosted a farmer’s market on the weekends.
“Do you want to stop by your apartment for anything?” he asked.
“Not really. I’m not ready to see it yet.” Her steps slowed. “I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready.”
“Okay.” Maybe he could pack up all her stuff and put it into storage until she found a new place. Then, she’d never have to go back. He squeezed her hand. “You can stay with me as long as you want, but no pressure. If you’d feel more comfortable getting a hotel room…”
“No.” She stopped and faced him, caressing his cheek. “I want to be with you.”
