“Why not?” Magnus lightly kneaded the back of Trey’s neck, pressed his forehead to Trey’s, and waited.
“One night. That was all it was supposed to be.”
“Yeah. We surpassed that a long time ago.”
They were both breathing harder than they had been, and Magnus knew it was just a matter of time before they ended up in the same place they did whenever they were together. The only reason he hadn’t pursued him was that they had more pressing matters to deal with. Namely, finding Ava. And yet, Magnus still wanted this connection he had with Trey. This man was the only one who could settle him, ease some of the pain that was eating at his guts. Even if it was only for a little while, he welcomed that. Needed that.
“There’s no reason to keep fightin’ this,” Magnus whispered.
Trey didn’t respond immediately, and for a brief moment, Magnus thought he was going to give in.
Only disappointment reigned supreme when Trey pulled back suddenly, dislodging Magnus’s hand.
“Yes, there is,” Trey said, his voice low and dangerous. “This is all I have to give.”
Before Magnus could argue, Trey was out of the truck.
Knowing better than to push, Magnus took a deep breath, got out of the truck, and headed into the building, leaving Trey to pace the gravel parking lot.
Chapter Thirteen
REESE SAT AT ONE OF THE EMPTYdesks in the barn, a Google search opened in front of him. He’d spent the past hour doing his best to contribute to the search for Ava. He used the information JJ and Baz passed along but had come up with very little on his own.
Although he could tell they were attempting to make him feel as though he was part of the team again, he still felt like he was on the outside looking in. Brantley occupied most of his time with Evan and Slade, the three men discussing what they’d come up with so far and attempting to hash out a plan. Reese caught bits and pieces. Last he’d heard, Slade had offered to pull an all-night stakeout, keeping an eye on the senator’s house. It was a good idea, but Reese didn’t contribute to the conversation. Last thing he wanted was to overstep, and it was clear the team had fallen into a new pattern of doing things in his absence.
He’d known returning would be a gamble, and integrating himself back into the fold wouldn’t be easy. Now it was a matter of proving to Brantley and the team that he was sorry and that this was where he truly belonged.
By the time night fell, Reese felt his energy flagging. He wanted nothing more than to take a shower and get a solid eight hours of sleep. Preferablynoton anyone’s couch.
Problem was, he didn’t want to make any assumptions about where he was going to lay his head tonight. Worst case, he could get a motel room down the road, although he preferred to spend the night on Brantley’s couch if he had a say in the matter. Not because he expected anything or because he enjoyed the knots and kinks in his neck and shoulders, but because he didn’t want to lose the forward progress they’d made. Knowing Brantley, the second Reese left, he’d revert back to hating him.
Again, he didn’t want to overstep, so he was waiting the others out so he could talk to Brantley privately.
JJ was the first to give up.
“Y’all, I could do this all night, but I don’t think we’re gonna get much further,” she said, her tone riddled with disappointment.
“I agree,” Brantley said, strolling over to the stairs as she was coming down.
“I’m still game to stake out the senator’s house,” Slade offered.
“I’m with him,” Evan chimed in. “We’ll take tonight. Someone else can keep watch tomorrow. If we don’t find her before then, of course.”
Reese respected Evan’s optimism.
Brantley looked at Reese. “Thoughts?”
Reese rolled his neck as he got to his feet. He didn’t pass up the opportunity to get back into it. “Until we’ve got somethin’ more concrete, it’s a good plan. If he knows where she is, chances are he’ll leave to check on her at some point.”
Brantley nodded, looked at Slade and Evan. “Let me know if something comes up.”
“Will do, boss,” they said in unison.
“I’ll keep searchin’ when we get home,” JJ offered. “But only if Baz agrees to feed me.”
Baz chuckled. “I’m not sure where she puts all the food.”
Brantley laughed, and Reese felt better hearing it. Despite the somber atmosphere related to the case, Brantley’s mood had improved since Friday night when Reese showed up on his doorstep. He only hoped it would continue for a little while longer.
