Page 20 of Kept By The Agents

"Good to know." He turned his head and motioned for Weaver. "Wait here."

I stopped in my tracks, watching as he walked out into one of the main streets and waited. I shifted, touching my weapon concealed under my jacket. I didn't like standing still while we didn't know how far behind our pursuers were. Especially not being properly armed. We each had a pistol in our shoulder holsters under the jackets, and I had an extra stuffed down the back of my jeans. I hated not having a rifle in my hands, but there was no way to carry one without people noticing. From this point on we couldn't take any chances. We had to blend in.

The heavy bags slung over my shoulders held at least half of our weapons and though I wasn't able to have my rifle ready, it settled my nerves having it, and so many others, strung over my body. If someone wanted to bring a fight to us, I'd be happy to oblige.

Tensing, I studied the man who was approaching Brando. He wasn't the kind of man who stuck to the shadows, or weaseled his way around escaping notice because he was beneath everyone's attention. No. This man stood proud and tall. Others called out to him as he walked. He was someone of importance around here.

"You know who that is?" Weaver asked, clearly having the same thoughts as me.

"Nope." I scanned around us again. It was making me itch, standing in one spot. We needed to move.

"What's going on?" Cat asked.

Neither of us bothered to answer her. A grin stretched over my face, though. My girl was a curious one. Always had been. She couldn't stand to be left out of anything.

Brando and the man stood, talking, for what felt like an eternity. With each passing minute Cat was inching closer and closer to me, trying to see if she could spot anything that would be of use to her. She didn't know it yet, but her story was finished. We weren't about to let her keep investigating and we sure as fuck weren't going to bring her along while we dismantled this operation. There were bound to be fireworks once we told her. Brando was the leader. I'd let him break that bit of news to her. My smile turned malicious. He would get a real close up look at Catalina Devaroe's temper.

She was brushing against my back now, her hand on my forearm as she peeked past me to see what Brando was up to. Despite the layers of clothing I was wearing, her touch singed me. My hands squeezed tighter on the straps of the bags I was holding in place. I had to do something to keep from grabbing her. It would be too easy to lose myself in her and that would put all of us in danger.

Brando nodded at something the stranger told him, then turned to head back our way. Gunfire rang out, causing him to duck and take cover behind a nearby truck. His friend had already melted seamlessly back into the crowds in the streets, as though he'd never been there at all.

Cursing, I spun and shoved Cat against the wall of the closest building. I shielded her with my body as more shots rang out. Berating myself for wishing earlier for a fight with the Raleka, I pressed in closer to Cat. She smelled of jasmine and just the scent from her shampoo brought me straight back to college. If only there was time to take a stroll down memory lane. I shook my head lightly, trying to dispel the past and focus on the now.

"We need to move. Those rounds weren't for us, but the next might be." Brando's voice pulled me back into the present fully and I looked down into Cat's wide eyes.

"You okay?" Unable to help myself, I brought my hand up and traced my fingertips over her cheek. Her skin was just as soft as I remembered. My eyes dipped down to her lips. I swallowed hard as I imagined tracing them with my tongue.

She nodded, her gaze steady on mine. "You shouldn't have done that."

I snorted and shoved away from her before I did something stupid like throw caution to the wind and kiss her. If she thought I was going to let a damn thing happen to her while I was around, she was mistaken. She only knew the kid I'd been. She had no clue about the kind of man he'd grown into. She'd learn soon enough that I wasn't that same selfish guy.

We moved slowly and methodically through the streets. None of us spoke. Even Cat was uncharacteristically silent. By the time Brando motioned to us that we'd arrived I was all but vibrating with the tension. My chest was tight and I was breathing heavily. It wasn't because I was out of shape. I was more fit now than I'd ever been in my life. It was all because of the woman who was walking beside me.

I was battling rage and concern all at the same time. I wanted to charge into the street and kill whoever had put her in danger. I also wanted to scoop her up and run off with her in the other direction, get her as far from here as possible. But we couldn't leave the victims of the Raleka behind. This case was going to stick with me for a long time after seeing the photographs Boykov had shared with our team once we'd agreed to work with him.

Cat being back in my life, and being in a vulnerable position like this, was fucking with my head. I waited by the door as the other three entered the house. Brando and Weaver went first, clearing it, while Cat waited in the doorway as she'd been ordered to. I grinned as I scanned the road to see if anyone was watching us.

She was currently on her best behavior. She knew this wasn't an ideal scenario for any of us. Having her tag along had never been in the plans, and it was insane, but we couldn't trust that she'd be safe anywhere else right now. If we sent her to one of our friends in the states it would be placing them in danger as well. No, she was just going to have to stick with us while we finished this operation.

I wondered how long she'd be able to keep up the good girl routine. Knowing some of the things we'd have to talk with her about, I was guessing a few hours at the most.

A whistle came from inside the house. Turning, I placed a hand on the small of her back, crowding her body with mine until she moved forward. "Come on, Sweetheart. Go on inside now."

A shudder ran through her body, making my blood heat. I could only hope that it had been a reaction born from lust rather than disgust. With Cat, either was possible. I knew for a fact she was going to lose her temper with us long before she forgave me for running out on her.

CHAPTER 10

Catalina

Brandon and Weaver were moving around upstairs, turning lights on as they went. I was grateful because if Suave kept touching me, and speaking to me in that deep voice of his, I was going to either lose my mind, or end up jumping on him and riding him until we were both a panting, sweaty mess. That was just another form of losing my mind.

He left you. He didn't want you. He still doesn't want you.

Those reminders cooled my libido enough that I had the willpower to move away from him. I'd already started to sink back into his body. He didn't need to know that he still had the power to reduce me to a mindless pile of mush with a few soft touches and pretty words.

Steeling my resolve, I went and sat down on a chair, removing my jacket. Winter was fast approaching, but it was warm inside the house. As though someone knew we were coming and turned the heat on.

"All clear," Brandon said as he came down the stairs. This house had two stories and was a lot nicer than the last one.

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