He rather liked the feeling of her palm against his, as well as the fact that she trusted him to keep her safe. And he would, even if it was the last thing he did.
No matter what.
“What now?” Shadow’s gaze found his through the thin stretch of moonlight.
“We’re going to take my car and get the hell out of here before those cops you’re hearing decide to stop by for a visit. We’ll take the long way back to my hotel to make sure we aren’t followed. I’ll grab my things and then find us someplace else to crash.”
“What about my things?” She looked back in the direction of the motel. “I can always buy more clothes, but my computer’s still inside.”
Slade barely resisted a growl but understood the woman’s desire to retrieve the laptop. Computers were her life, so of course, she’d want to retrieve it. Plus, if the cops came and bagged the laptop as evidence, it could potentially lead them back to her. Andthatwould open up a whole can of worms a lot of people—especially her father—needed to keep closed.
“Fine,” he gave in to her request. “But we need to hurry.”
“Copy that.”
Shadow’s on-mission response threatened another twitch of his lips. This time, however, he had no problems holding back a smile. Someone had just tried to kill her, and if she’d been alone…
They probably would have succeeded.
Forty-five minutes—andseveral side roads and extra turns—later, Slade was locking the door to their home for the night. It was his second hotel in less than a day, but unlike his previous one, this one was nestled in the thick of downtown Columbus.
On the plus side, the place was exceptionally rated, had a myriad of security cameras, and two off-duty Columbus P.D. officers working to keep the place safe. Truth be told, there was only one real negative he could find.
It was a big one, too. King-sized, even. Because the last available room in the place…only had one bed.
He wasn’t about to share a bed with the gorgeous, spunky blonde. Not in this or any other lifetime. That, of course, left the pull-out couch. And those were always too short and uncomfortable as shit.
When the guy behind the desk had informed him of the situation, Slade had been tempted to tell him to kiss his sorry ass. But then he’d caught the expression on Shadow’s gorgeous, weary face and remembered the woman had come damn close to dying less than an hour before.
This isn’t about me. It’s about her.
Serving as the Tac-Ops’ overwatch from behind a computer screen was one thing. Getting shot at from an unknown assailant standing several yards away was another, altogether.
No matter how impressed he was by her seemingly cool and steady composure, Slade could see the turmoil hidden behind those amazing blue eyes. The woman needed food, a hot shower, and sleep. Preferably in that order.
“Wow.” Shadow slid the bulging backpack from her shoulder, gently setting it down onto a cushioned accent chair to her left. “Definite upgrade from the last place.”
Her soft rasp pulled him back into the present.
“A gas station bathroom would be an upgrade from that shithole,” he grumbled, walking further into the room.
“True, but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.” She continued exploring the impressive space. “That place took cash and didn’t ask questions, so it kept me off the grid. Until you showed up, that is.” Her ponytail swung through the air as she spun back around to face him. “How did you find me, by the way?” A curious frown. “And no B.S. I want the truth.”
“Oh, you want the truth?” Slade took another step toward her as feelings of betrayal sparked an unexpected rush of anger from deep inside. “That’s rich coming from the woman who vanished without so much as a word to the team who counts on you to keep our asses alive while we’re in the field.”
Because yeah, that shit still pissed him the hell off for a slew of reasons.
“I had something I needed to take care of.”
“You mean, you had someone you needed to kill.”
Showing no signs of backing down, Shadow’s unintimidated stare remained locked with his. “I haven’t killed anyone yet, have I?” An obstinate brow arched high as she crossed her arms at her chest.
The move inadvertently pushed her full, perfect breasts together in such a way he couldn’t help but think about how perfectly they’d fit in his palms.
“I don’t know what you have or haven’t done because you took off on your own instead of coming to us for help,” he bit back. “Jesus, Shadow. You of all people know what me and the guys are capable of. Why the hell wouldn’t you come to us with this?”
“Because this ismyfight, Slade. Not the team’s. Not my father’s. Mine.”
