Page 65 of Play the Game

“My woman? That’s...” I rubbed my eyes. Everyone on the Alpha Team either suspected or knew Tam and I were together. There was no point in lying to one more person. I changed the subject. “You seemed to enjoy working with us.”

“Enjoyed?” He furrowed his brow. “That’s maybe stretching it. But it was nice to feel like one of the good guys.” He shook his head. “I do wonder how you do it, though. Other than you and Alder, I’m not sure anyone on your team has one damn lick of sense. I mean, that deconstructing program… They thought they could just...” He threw his arms into the air.

I laughed. “My team usually feels the same way about me. You know, it wouldn’t be all bad to have someone else sane in the agency.”

He raised his eyebrows. “That a job offer?”

“It is.”

“And what if I refuse?”

I shrugged. “You’ll spend about a week signing NDAs and other paperwork, being debriefed by lots of men—and women—in black, and then you’ll be watched closely for the rest of your life to ensure you don’t take your talents to one of our enemies. But you’ll be free to go.”

He blew out a long breath. “Sounds more like Hotel California. ‘You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.’”

He wasn’t wrong. I nodded.

“So, I’d be working with you?”

“Alder and I would train you on some proprietary systems. Eventually, you’d be working with other teams. And you’d be workingforme.”

“For real? I guess youwouldbe the baddest motherfucker in this house.”

I laughed. “I haven’t been called that for a long time, but, yeah.” Maybe it was arrogant as hell, but it was true.

Pasco grinned. “Challenge accepted.”

“What challenge?”

He blinked slowly and leaned back on his pillows. The sedative was kicking in. “It’ll be just like old times, Brooks. Or Jensen. Watch your ass, because I’ll be gunning for you.”

I didn’t doubt it for a minute, and damn if I wasn’t looking forward to the fight.

* * *

Tamela

I was alive.Holy shit, I was so alive!

I waited alone in my bed for Jason. We would celebrate the night’s success with the team soon, when all the cleanup was done. But first and foremost, I would celebrate with the man who knew I loved him as much as he loved me.

The door cracked open, and I sat up.

“Hey, I thought you might be asleep.” Jason lifted his T-shirt over his head. “Bond said she gave you some sedative pills.”

I pointed to my nightstand. “In case I can’t sleep, but I’m not worried about that just yet. How’s your friend?

“As much of an asshole as ever. But I’m pretty sure he’s HEAT’s asshole now.”

When he slipped off his jeans and briefs, I pulled off my pajamas and panties.

“Congratulations. You’ll have a playmate.”

“You’re the only playmate I want.” He slid under the sheets and pulled me against him. “God, you feel amazing.”

“This is only the beginning,” I said. I arched my hips, pulled his face to mine, and kissed him. “Ready to celebrate?”

“So ready.” He extricated himself from me and rolled me onto my side, then spooned me. “But it will have to wait until morning. Well, later this morning. You need your rest. Bond was pretty insistent.”

---