“I’ll get someone,” I said. “I’ll be back a bit later to check on you, okay?”
Another nod, but just before I reached the door, Reese called my name. When I turned to look at him, he said, “Thanks.”
I didn’t say anything, just sent him a nod and then left the room. I found a nurse and told her Reese had agreed to a dose of pain medication, then went in search of Ronan to give him an update. He’d texted that he was in the conference room Everett was using. Apparently, the man hadn’t lasted more than a few hours at the hotel before he’d returned to the hospital and the son who wanted nothing to do with him.
Even if I hadn’t known where the conference room was, itwould have been easy to pick out, considering the stiff-looking man standing just outside of it. Agent Nash’s eyes locked on me as soon as I rounded the corner and his jaw seemed to tighten with every step that drew me closer to him.
He didn’t say anything when I stopped in front of him, nor did he step aside to let me pass. I could have easily forced the issue, but decided against it. I had a feeling Agent Nash preferred it that way. I deliberately let my eyes rake over his body, taking my time as I took in the way he filled out his clean-cut suit. He definitely fit the part of a G-man.
Except the eyes.
They burned.
I suspected he usually kept them shuttered, but it wasn’t working for him at the moment. I couldn’t exactly say what emotion he was feeling, but a guy in his position should have been more unreadable.
“I don’t believe we’ve been officially introduced, Agent Nash,” I said as I extended my hand. “I’m Gage Fortier.”
He looked at my hand like it was a rattlesnake. But the longer I held it there, the harder his expression became until he finally bit the bullet and snatched it up in what he probably was hoping would be a quick handshake.
I made sure it wasn’t.
I had no clue why rattling the man’s cage was so important to me, but I wasn’t going to pretend it wasn’t.
“Special Agent Jonathan Nash,” he bit out as he tried to tug his hand free. I could feel electricity shooting up and down my arm and little firecrackers of awareness popping beneath my skin, but I wasn’t so sure about Agent Nash.
“Nice to meet you, Jonathan.”
Thatgot a reaction out of him. He yanked his hand back and said, “It’s Nash.”
I didn’t comment on that, though I did wonder if it was actually his name that he didn’t want me using, or that he was trying to avoid any kind of informality.
“Fine. Nash. I need to speak to your boss,” I said.
“He’s tired.”
That was it.
Nothing more.
His attitude began to irritate me. It’d been amusing to toy with him a bit, but I sure as shit didn’t need him looking down his nose at me like he was.
“I think Everett will want to see me,” I said with a smile, deliberately using the man’s first name.
I didn’t think it was possible, but Nash stiffened even more. But he didn’t move. I grabbed my phone and dialed Ronan’s number.
“Hey, yeah, it’s me. Would you tell Everett to come call off his guard dog?” I said as I held Nash’s gaze. “Yeah, thanks.”
Within seconds of hanging up with Ronan, the door behind Nash was opening. “Gage,” Everett said politely. He looked a little bit better than he had before – not rested, exactly, but he’d changed his clothes and had likely showered because his hair looked perfectly in place. “Nash, step aside,” Everett said, a thread of irritation in his voice. I barely managed not to smirk at Nash as he did Everett’s bidding. I took Everett’s proffered hand.
“How are you doing, Everett?” I asked.
Everett managed a small nod. “Been better,” he admitted. “But Reese hasn’t gotten me kicked out of the hospital, so that’s something, I guess.”
I smiled and followed Everett into the room. I wasn’t the least bit surprised when Nash joined us.
There were a few trays of food sitting in the middle of the table, but there was only a coffee cup by the two chairs that Everett led me to. I nodded at Ronan. “Did you see him?” Ronan asked.
I nodded.
