Page 76 of Perfect Vengeance

Kinsey set her cup on the table. “He’s giving up a lot for you, isn’t he?” She let the question hang in the air as if there were a more meaningful implication.

Was there? Okay, so they’d made love. Technically, three times. That didn’t mean he felt something deeper for her. Despite her adamant disdain for all things FBI, her feelings for him were growing every day. More than they should.

“Did you get any sleep?” Anna asked. “I crashed the second my head hit the pillow. I’m guessing you did too.”

“Uh, yeah.” Again, she stared at her hands. Not a total lie, but miles from the truth.

“Uh-huh.” Kinsey snickered. “You and Jack did the horizontal mambo again, didn’t you?”

Heat scorched her face. She really was a terrible liar. Cracking into a high-tech safe was child’s play. Lying would never be a skill she acquired.

Margo sat in an empty chair and simply raised her brows. “Does this mean you’ve gotten over the fact that he’s the scourge of the earth?”

“No.” She shook her head, but the denial sounded hollow. “But things have changed between us. We’re—” What were they? She honestly didn’t know. They’d made love several times, but always following extreme duress. Was that making love or just sex in the heat of the moment?

“Wonderful together?” Margo’s lips twitched.

“Maybe,” she said, still not willing or able to admit to anything too deep. Then again…

They’d broken their deal with him, yet he’d shown immense kindness to her and her friends last night. He’d covered for them with the police, and that was huge. She didn’t have to be an FBI agent to know how much hot water he could find himself in for doing that. And that barely scratched the surface.

After last night, his investigation might very well be in jeopardy once again. Despite that, he’d held her while she cried in the waiting room and again when she’d spilled her guts in the bathtub. He was always protecting them, always there when they—when she—needed him. Not everyone in a person’s life did that. Most people in her life hadn’t.

“Maybe you should give him a chance.” Kinsey squeezed her hand. “At least think about it.”

She already was thinking about it, along with his bold, sweet kisses and the way he made her feel when they made love—like she mattered. Like she was precious to him. Was that love? She’d never been in love before. She’d certainly never felt this way about Paul.

“You know,” Margo said, resting a hand on her shoulder, “all he’s ever done is help us. Help you. Stop thinking about that badge in his pocket.”

Maybe it was time to finally put her father’s memory to rest in a way that didn’t tie her stomach in knots. If she wasn’t willing to take that giant leap of faith, she’d never know if whatever was between her and Jack could turn into something real.

A heavy weight floated from her shoulders. Whatever the future held for them, she wanted to find out.

* * *

The evening air was chilly with a light breeze as Jack and Gina left the Center’s administrative office in lower Manhattan. He held the door of the SUV while she slid onto the passenger seat.

Today had been a good day. A quiet day. Unlike every other since Gina Perot had blown into his life like an F5 tornado. She’d not only ripped the roof off his world but sent it spiraling totally out of control. Yet for some reason he couldn’t understand, contentment still surrounded him like a warm blanket whenever they were together.

After getting into the SUV, he turned on the engine and adjusted the dials to blow warm air. Gina’s scent filled the truck, reminding him of the way her bedsheets smelled. He hadn’t woken in a woman’s bed in so long he’d forgotten what it was like.

“Thank you for letting us keep the money.” She gifted him with a smile that made his heart flip-flop like a speared fish.

“You’re welcome.”

Her smile widened, and damned if his heart didn’t flip faster.

His cell phone rang and SAC Morrison’s name lit the screen. Jack’s gut tightened. There was no doubt he was about to get his ass chewed. He cued up the call. Before he could say a word, his boss lit into him.

“How in the world did you get that last bug planted?” Jack held the phone from his ear. “What part about me ordering you not to do any fieldwork until you’re medically cleared did you not understand?”

“An opportunity presented itself, and I took it. Sir,” he added, praying the added show of respect would get him some mileage.

“An opportunity?” Sarcasm dripped through the phone. “Do I even want to know?”

He glanced at Gina, who politely pretended not to hear. “Probably not.” He’d never reveal the identities of Gina or her friends. Even if it meant withholding information from his boss.

From the heavy breathing on the other end of the phone, Morrison was gearing up for another salvo. Time to head that off.