Page 43 of S.O.S. Perk

“I’m sorry Mr. Perkins,” Kaelyn called from across the room.

Sloane hadn’t missed the parents’ subtle nudges, clearly urging their daughter to apologize.

“I didn’t know you were a good guy,” she grimaced.

“Not gonna lie,” Perk told Kealyn with a smile. “I’m actually proud of you. It was a solid hit. But one thing you should know. After you punched me,” he schooled, “you should have followed up with a kick to the groin, then a quick open-palm to my nose while I was grabbing my…uh, parts. Then you could have gotten away while I nursed my broken nose and wondered if I’d ever sire children.”

Everyone in the room laughed, which was exactly the tension breaker they all needed.

It had been a long night, and for a few of them, at least, it was over.

Part of the team, however, still had work to do. The pair of agents Sloane had worked with on mapping friend-networks, had handed over the task of vetting all Nelsin’s relatives and acquaintances to Del and Prez, while they, as the FBI approved escort, brought the Jeffersons to their safe house. They’d then be off the clock, and a rotating protection detail would oversee the family for the duration of the investigation.

As for Sloane… She let out a huge yawn. Bed had never sounded so good.

“Is that it for us, boss?” she asked Baskins, surreptitiously pinching herself to wake the hell up.

“For now,” he answered, also clearly fighting fatigue. “I’m headed home to the wife, and unless the world ends, nobody better bother me because I’m sleeping until noon.”

Considering it was past three in the morning, Sloane felt like that was a solid plan, but…

“Me, too?” she asked, taking nothing for granted.

“Yes. All of you take the morning off. We’ll reconvene here at one-thirty tomorrow. Except you, Perkins,” he said with a smirk and not a modicum of regret. “You have school in the morning.”

Perk groaned. “I never thought I’d have to hear those words again in my life. But…” He gave a mock pout. “…can my ‘parents’ at least sign a slip explaining why I didn’t get my homework done?” He sent puppy-dog eyes toward Tertia, but it was Smalley who answered.

“Hell, no.” he grunted. “If we don’t, you might get more detention. Which is the best place to—”

“—pick up intelligence,” both Perk and Sloane answered at the same time, having had the identical discussion before.

The word “jinx” being implied, Sloane and Perk exchanged amused glances.

But now it was time to go.

She hitched her purse over her shoulder.

“Uh, Sloane? Before we leave, could I see you for a minute? Privately?” Perk dared.

Sloane looked at her boss who rolled his eyes and clicked his tongue. “As long as the two of you promise not to compromise the investigation, I’ll ignore any shenanigans.”

Sloane flashed her boss a grin, but took no chances that he’d change his mind. She immediately headed for the door, snagging Perk’s arm on the way by.

“See ya,” Perk gave a cheeky wave to everyone watching with various levels of interest, and allowed himself be towed away.

Sloane headed for her office.

She opened the door to let them in, then closed it behind her without bothering to turn on the overheads. There was enough ambient light coming through the windows that they could see each other.

“What is it you wanted?” she asked curiously, turning to face him.

If she wasn’t mistaken, his eyes held something she hadn’t seen before.

“This,” he said, taking a step closer and putting his hands on her shoulders. He lowered his head until his mouth was a hair’s breadth from hers. “Unless you want me to stop,” he whispered.

“Hell, no,” she responded breathlessly, then without waiting for him, she slammed her lips to his, her entire body lighting up instantly on contact.

Perk, however, clearly wasn’t about to stand by and let her take control. Within seconds, he had her bent backward over his arm, ravaging her mouth like she was his last supper. His strong body vibrated against hers with a need that was unmistakable, and he groaned his pleasure when their tongues engaged in a battle that would have both of them victorious.

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