He smiled. “Hey, G.”
“Collin is awake.” James’ announcement had me spinning, and before I could get the words out of my mouth, Haley beat me to it.
“Is he alright?”
The agent looked down at her, his hand reaching out to stroke her cheek. “That’s all the information Kay was willing to give me.”
“Can we see him?”
All eyes in the room landed on me, some of them confused and some of them soft. I stepped forward, twisting my engagement ring around my finger. “Is that allowed?”
“I had him moved out of the prison ward, if that's what you're asking, Gwen,” James said softly.
A soft breath came from Dean, and he came up to me, catching my chin in his fingers. “You sure you want that?”
“I don’t know, but I have some questions for him.”
“I think we all do,” James said.
My eyes drifted to Jeremy, who was standing on the far end of the room, leaning against the wall and staring out the window. He was quiet today, and that worried me.
James began speaking about debriefing and paperwork. Aside from the groan from my baseball player, everything else faded away as I watched my friend. I didn’t miss when his eyes landed on Casey’s tech station in the corner, her computer monitors dark in her absence. I didn’t miss the longing that was evident in his warm brown eyes, or the way his jaw tightened before he looked back out at the rain.
The doors opened, and James’ director, John Alex, stepped in, followed by a few more suits. He was older, but there was a certain air around him that told me he wasn’t one to be fucked with.
James stepped around the table to shake his hand, Dean joining them.
“I just wanted to stop by and meet the motley crew,” John said, his eyes scanning the room. They came to a halt on Dom and Sullie. “Gentlemen, it’s been a long time.”
“Not long enough, sir,” Dom said, a slow smile forming.
Dean, Haley, and I all shared a look. When I looked back to Jeremy, his eyes were still focused on the rain, his mind somewhere else.
“You must be Gwen.”
I turned back to find the director standing a mere foot from me. My hand shot out as I smiled warmly at him. “That’s me.” His hand came to mine, and he stepped closer.
“You were a valuable asset to this case, Ms. Davenport. I wanted to thank you personally for all you've done.”
I cleared my throat and looked at Dean. “I wouldn’t call my actions honorable, sir.”
He just smiled. “Thank you to all of you for working with the Federal Investigation Bureau of the United States of America. One of the biggest cases in the country is about to be closed, and that's all thanks to you. We thank you for your service.”
We remained silent as the suits took their leave.
Who the hell were they?
James shut the doors and locked them, turning back to his boss as he folded his arms over his chest. “Is it time to cut the bullshit?” he asked as Dean grunted, moving to me. John walked away to stand at the head of the conference table as Sullie shifted in his seat, his dark eyes darting to his nephew.
The hairs on the back of my neck stood up and as my mouth opened, Dean’s hand landed on the small of my back. “You’re safe. Calm down, baby girl,” he whispered.
The director looked at Casey’s desk. “Where is your star, James?”
Thatgot Jeremy’s attention.
“Where she needs to be,” he said with a smile on his face.
Jer pushed off the wall. “Where the fuck is she?”
