Page 22 of Back the Blue

My words are meant to be light, again, but he doesn’t take it that way. His brow furrows as he plants one hand on the mattress and caresses my cheek with the other.

“I told you before to leave the FBI work to me,” he says softly. “The less danger you’re in, the better.”

I scramble for some type of smart-ass retort, but nothing comes to me. A sure sign that I’m more tired than I thought. Even so, when I just shake my head, he bends his to kiss me. When he pulls back, he sighs.

“Why don’t you try to get some sleep.”

“Okay,” I nod. “I’ll just wash up first.”

He straightens and tells me that there’s toiletries in the duffle bag. After pulling out his laptop, he hands me what I need, and I disappear into the bathroom. Five minutes later, I walk out and watch him once again bent over typing away. I think about rummaging through the duffle bag for something to sleep in, but since he’s already seen me naked, and that’s how I prefer to sleep, I let it go.

After pulling down the covers of the queen-sized bed, I smile and wonder how well we’ll fit in it together. The bed at his apartment was a king. No doubt because of his size. And while I’m not that big, I’m sure a man like him likes to have his space to sleep. As my body starts to grow weary, I strip off my clothes and fold them before setting them on the chair in the corner. When I turn around, Ashley’s focus is on me. More specifically, my naked body.

“Something wrong?” I ask as I crawl under the covers.

“Not at all,” he chuckles. “I just didn’t want to miss an opportunity to look at you.”

“I see,” I giggle. “And just so you know, I’m used to twenty-four-hour shifts. So, if you have to wake me up to move quick, I’ll be just fine.”

“Good to know,” he says with a grimace. “But I’m hoping we won’t have to move again until tomorrow night.”

“Okay,” I say through a yawn. “Night.”

“Goodnight, Lorna.”

I smile and close my eyes. It’s several minutes later before I hear him typing again. Something about the fact that he’s literally watching over me sets me at ease. And I quickly drift off to sleep.

***

As much as I’d like to climb into bed with her and give her a reason to sleep, I force myself to get back to my email. He’s already sent me an update on the situation with Malcolm and that he’s giving us until tomorrow night to make a decision. If we don’t give up Lorna, he’s threatening to kill Malcolm. None of us want any bloodshed, but if Malcolm is sacrificed, I know Lorna will bear a great deal of unnecessary guilt for it.

With a sigh, I let my supervisor know that Lorna and I are both armed. He doesn’t need to know our location. And if he asks, it would be terribly suspicious. He didn’t know we had gone to my apartment, either. So, if Diamond and his crew show up there, it could mean that the leak sent them, or they have a really good fucking tail on us. Which is part of the reason our cellphones are powered off now.

I send my email and go about washing myself up for the night as well. By the time I’m finished, I can tell that Lorna is asleep. The slow rise and fall of her chest a dead giveaway. When I return to my laptop, there’s an email waiting. Anxious, I open it and start reading.

If you haven’t already, keep your phones off and continue to contact me via our encrypted server. The hostage team will be here within the hour to plan their negotiations, but we’re not optimistic. We also have two female agents who fit Lorna’s description. They will also sit in with the hostage team and be debriefed about the earlier incidents in case we decide to use them. For the time being, grab some sleep and check in at 0500.

I sigh and check the time. It’s almost one now.

Not wanting to waste another second, I power off my laptop and double check the locks on the doors. Then I set my weapons on the nightstand and strip. When I turn off the light, I wait a moment for my eyes to adjust so I don’t accidentally rouse Lorna. But to my ultimate delight, she rolls over and reaches for me as soon as I’m settled. And I don’t hesitate to pull her into my arms and hold her close.

Within minutes, I drift off with her.

Fifteen

Even though no alarm is set, my eyes pop open at two minutes to five on Saturday morning. Lorna is still pressed against me, but she’s turned around, so her back is against my front. And my morning wood is nestled against her luscious ass.

“Fuck,” I breathe.

As carefully, and regrettably as I can, I untangle my arms from around her and head to the bathroom. There’s no way I can take care of myself before I check in with my supervisor, so I grit my way through my immediate needs before pulling on some boxers and a shirt. When I walk back into the room, I’m relieved that Lorna is still asleep. The last thing I need her to worry about is taking care of me.

I’m here to take care of her.

At three minutes after, I open the email from my supervisor. And I’m shocked at what I read.

Negotiations were useless, but after a few hours of silence, they released Malcolm with only minor injuries. The building was breached thirty minutes ago and there was no sign of anyone. It could be a trap, so stay where you are for now.

I want to sigh with relief, but I can’t. Because I don’t believe for a second that Diamond and his crew are going to lay off. If anything, they’re going to regroup and double their efforts. Although why they want Lorna to pay for doing her job is beyond me. Once her patient is back on the street, they’ll try again to take him out. And they’ll most likely succeed this time.

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