“Let me show you something,” my boss continued. “No one else has seen it yet because I’d like you to explain it to me.”
Bill pulled open his laptop and went to a folder labeledSecurity Footage. It was standard practice to collect everything from the surrounding cameras during an investigation, so he must have seen us cross the parking lot toward the restaurant. Was he upset we’d taken her next door?
“I sent Mike over to collect the exterior footage, and you might be surprised to hear they have interior footage too.”
Oh, no. Oh, fuck.
Bill double-clicked a file and the video came to life.
I recognized the banquet room instantly, even in black-and-white. I was the lone man in a chair while Laurel danced provocatively on the floor. I watched as I surged forward and slammed my mouth over hers, the high angle of the camera getting a clear look at us.
I was torn in two.
Half was terrified for my job, and the other was angry this private moment between us had been shared. She had been dancing only for me.
“Fuck,” I said.
“My thoughts exactly. You took advantage of that girl and her situation, and I don’t think it’s worth it to try to save your job this time.”
There was nothing to say. My legs buckled, sending me crashing into the seat by the desk.
My career was over.
Not at this exact moment, because there’d be documentation and a review before I was officially terminated, but this video,coupled with my history, sealed my doom. And I had no one to blame but myself.
“I kissed her, but that’s all it was. I screwed up.”
“You’re goddamn right, you did.”
I didn’t bother to tell him that it wouldn’t happen again, because I didn’t want to lie to this man I respected more than I had already. I had no choice but to shove it to the side and focus. I’d do anything and everything I could for her up until the moment they took my badge.
“Is Frey still alive?” I asked.
“Seems likely. There was only one body in the van, and it wasn’t him.”
I dropped my gaze to the floor. My career was ending, but all I could do was worry about her. “Where is she?”
“Are you fucking kidding?”
I gave him a sobering look to show him I wasn’t. My reputation had been obliterated, and there was nothing I could say or do to change that. “I need five minutes to say goodbye,” I said. “What difference does it make now?”
I pushed out of the chair, making the metal handcuffs around my wrists clink together. Shit. I was going to need a key for those, too.
It was the soft spot Bill held for me that got me to one of the motel rooms farthest from the activity. I didn’t knock. I pushed the door open and peered inside.
Laurel sat at the end of the bed, still wearing her torn pajamas and the oversized marshals jacket. Her handcuffs had been removed, and she massaged the red lines where the plastic had created tender skin.
I stepped in and closed the door behind me with a quiet thud. It drew her attention, and when she realized it was me, she whirled to her feet.
Neither of us moved, focused on each other. It was as if we needed this moment to verify that what we were seeing was real. That this powerful thing between us was real. It had started as desire, but grown into more, and suddenly I couldn’t wait another second to show her that.
I charged forward with no regard for the pain in my back. I came at her so quickly, she retreated on instinct, although it was obvious she wanted to stand her ground.
I crushed my lips to hers.
This time I didn’t hold anything back. The kiss was raw and powerful. Addicting. It put everything else to shame.
Her arms wrapped around my neck, and she lifted onto her toes to meet me. It was stunning how quickly my breathing turned ragged, and I broke the kiss. But it was only so my lips could travel down to the bruise on her neck that Frey had left, the one that was almost gone.
