They ate their folded thin crust pepperoni pizza. They had Buffalo wings with blue cheese dressing and celery; and mozzarella sticks with marinara as sides. Zeppoles for dessert.
When they finished eating, Reed’s stomach was satisfyingly full. Outside the windows, the city sparkled in the darkness. He sat back on the cushions, and Siren curled up beside him. After thecredits finally rolled on the movie, the two of them agreed it was time for bed.
They brushed their teeth and climbed under the silky smooth, luxurious sheets. Holding each other, they fell asleep.
Two days passed as they waited and played house in the condo. The agents bought them groceries and they took turns cooking. They passed the time watching movies and playing cards at the kitchen table. Reed’s side was quickly healing, new pink skin closing over the wound.
Kate called twice with updates. Her team was working with federal prosecutors to secure indictments. On the morning of the third day, there was a knock at the door. Reed opened it.
Kate stood outside, looking tired but smiling as he closed the door behind her.
“Warrants are signed,” she said. “Teams will serve them at 3 PM. I want to be there when they put hands on Ashcroft. I’ll text you when it’s done, but it should be on the news.”
Kate headed out and Reed and Siren turned to each other. She crossed the space between them and wrapped her arms around his waist. “It’s finally over,” she whispered.
He held her tightly, squeezing his eyes closed as a wave of relief and exhaustion washed over him. They’d been running for their lives for weeks, looking for clues. Trying to discover who killed Carl Unger and why.
Finally, after being ambushed twice, both of them being shot, pretending to be totally different people, this whole thing was coming to an end. They could finally rest. Finally take a moment to think.
He caressed her back, his bear purring at the thought of getting to spend time with his mate outside of this mission. To finally get to know her beyond the danger. To finally go back home.
At three o’clock, the two of them turned on the TV, flipping through news channels. It wasn’t until four that they found the report they’d been looking for.
“—breaking news out of Manhattan this hour. Federal agents have descended on a Park Avenue high-rise in what appears to be a major operation. We go live to Sasha Collins outside the building. Sasha, what are you seeing?”
The screen cut to a reporter in a navy blazer, holding a microphone. Behind her, uniformed officers and plain clothed agents moved in and out of the building’s entrance. Unmarked sedans and SUVs were double-parked along the street.
“Tom, we arrived on scene about twenty minutes ago. The FBI has not confirmed the nature of this operation. What we can tell you is that agents entered the building shortly after three o’clock.”
The camera swung toward the glass doors. Two agents emerged, scanning the crowd. Then two more, flanking a man in a suit with his hands behind his back.
The camera zoomed in. Victor Ashcroft.
“We are now seeing an individual being escorted from the building in handcuffs,” the reporter said. “I cannot confirm the identity at this time, but we’re seeing someone being led to a vehicle now.”
Ashcroft’s face was rigid, his clothing rumpled as the agents guided him into the backseat of a black SUV. As the door closed, Siren’s phone buzzed. She showed him the screen.
Kate:Draven and Ashcroft in custody. It’s done.
Chapter
Twenty-Six
Siren couldn’t rememberthe last time she didn’t have a crisis to solve or a mission to complete. She stood at the window, watching the golden light of sunset wash over Central Park, casting long shadows on the grass.
“What are you thinking?” Reed asked from the couch.
“The future.” She turned to him. “I’ve spent my whole life running. I’m not sure what to do now.”
“I know what you mean,” he said.
She crossed the room and sat beside him on the couch. She took his hand, his callused fingers warm against hers. The words she wanted to say were caught in her throat. He’d told her he loved her weeks ago.
She’d been on top of him, taking everything she wanted. And he’d given it all to her so freely. Including his heart. He hadn’t pressed for her to say it back. He’d been waiting, giving her space to figure out what she wanted.
She’d felt it for a long time now. Really, she’d felt it from the first day. When she saw his sparkling eyes and sweet smile in his profile photo. When they’d met at Steel Protection. Her inner wolf had been battling inside her mind all this time.
She’d been too scared to admit it. Too afraid to confess what she really wanted.
