Page 56 of Knot Innocent

“Hmm. Does this mean I’m gonna find out why you bailed on us?”

“I didn’t bail. A problem came up regarding Birdie’s security, and I handled it.”

“A problem?” Concerned, she asks, “Birdie’s okay, isn’t she?”

“She’s fine and sequestered at the compound. I’ll explain the details later.”

“There’s no rush to get here. We won’t get tomorrow’s assignment until five. I’ve got you booked into a two-bedroom suite with a conference room. We’re roomies. You’re in the room on the left.”

Four hours later, I drop my stuff on the bed in my designated room and return to the living area. No one’s here, and I’ve got a few hours to kill before five. The picture window next to the TV overlooks the Washington Monument, but I’m not interested in DC’s prestige. For the first time in my career, more than anything, I want to go home.

I sit at the conference table in the suite, and my thoughts go to Birdie. To be such a quiet soul, she blows me away with her resolve. She’s such an unusual creature but in the best ways.

I’ve never known anyone like her and never wanted anyone like I want her. I’ve never been driven to protect someone like I am with Birdie. I don’t want to just stop this man from trying to hurt her. I want to deal with him personally, in the sickest, most painful ways, which reminds me to check in with base.

I pull out my phone and dial the number I’ve had to use too often lately. “Frank, this is Bastien. What have you got for me?”

He doesn’t waste time on pleasantries. “Two new devices. Same type. Untraceable.”

“Dammit. Have you told Knot?”

“He knows. He’s already ordered additional cameras to be installed around Birdie’s property. They’ll go in first thing in the morning.”

I get a crazy idea about a way to catch this bastard and ask, “Have you destroyed the devices?”

“Just did.”

Shit. There went that. “Thanks, man.”

I slam the phone down, but I’m not angry at Frank. I’m fuming at myself. The fucker was at Birdie’s house last night. I let him get that close—for the third time. I’m even more pissed that my brain isn’t working right. If I had any sense, I would have waited for Frank to complete his scan and brought the devices with me, or at least the one found on Birdie’s car. Her stalker might have followed me to DC, and I would have had a shot at catching him.

It won’t work now. Since the bastard had to replace the first set, he has to know that we’ve found and disabled the new ones. And unless he’s a complete moron, he won’t fall for a setup at an empty warehouse, even if he is stupid enough to place more trackers.

It’s time for a new strategy. So far, Birdie and I have spent all our efforts looking for this blue car. It’s time we try something else. Birdie sounds surprised when she answers my call. “Um. Hi Bastien. What’s up?”

Birdie’s shy greeting warms my blood, but after last night, I much prefer the sound of her screaming my name. Without thinking, I ask, “Do you still feel me inside you, Little Bird?”

Birdie makes a choking sound and laughs nervously. “Is this why you called?”

“No. Answer the question, Birdie.” Damn. I have no idea where any of this is coming from.

She clears her throat. “Um. Yes.”

My voice drops low, loaded with desire. “Hmm. My cock or my tongue?”

“Both,” she squeaks.

“Good.”

I adjust my stiffening dick straining behind my fly and take a deep breath. “I called because I have an idea. We were spinning our wheels, looking for the car following you. What we should have been doing is looking into each of your previous targets and how they may have found you.”

“Before you ask,” Birdie pipes in. “I wasn’t hacked, and I’ve already confirmed all my arrested targets still occupy cells.”

Strike one, Bash. You should have known she’d be smart enough to check out those possibilities. Tapping the table, I think through what I know of her hunting methods and come up with a long shot. “You mentioned being concerned about losing a target. How many have you lost?”

“I’d guess a few each year.”

“What are the chances one of these lost targets noticed you chatting up someone else and figured out what you’re doing?”

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