Page 101 of When He Hunts

“‘Thanks for the great sex, but I’m off to do my job and we’re done, and maybe I’m putting a big old target on my back.’ Just FYI. You could have said all that.” The angry words erupted from her, rapid-fire.

His hold on her waist tightened. “I didn’t want to say goodbye.”

“So you left me swimming. Walked away and didn’t look back.”

“If I had looked back, I wouldn’t have been able to leave you.”

Their gazes clashed.

Gray coughed again. “So, um, there are a lot of agents involved, it’s a multi-agency partnership?—”

“Yeah, I saw them lurking around and doing jackshit while a gun was aimed at Luna!” He’d realized the place was a freaking Fed trap when he’d gone too easily through the airport. Plus, Kane had been shouting way too many orders for someone who was supposed to just be pulling free agent status. He’d have to hash things out with Kane soon enough. “Kane was involved in this mess with you. Tell me, are all my friends assholes?”

“Yes, we are.” Gray had finally stopped coughing. “But if you want to pick one friend to receive the most of your rage, pick me. I was the one pulling the strings.”

“Aren’t you always?” Ronan knew the man lived to scheme.

“Kane kept telling me this was all a mistake. He didn’t want to keep any secrets from you. But there wasn’t a ton of time for big reveals.” He released a long breath. “The Feds stationed here at the airport were waiting on my command. I get you’re pissed, but I made the best judgment calls I could. Ihaveto stop this twisted freak. I’ve losttwo agentstrying to take down Marcus Aeros.” His voice was deadly serious.

Both Luna and Ronan studied Gray in silence.

“I have been working to bring him down for a long time.” His nostrils flared. “And, Luna, when you came to me, I already had people trying to gain access to his inner circle. I couldn’t move right away with your intel because I had to make sure they were safe. I am trying to get through his minefields with a minimum body count. Yes, I’ve kept secrets. From you both. Hell, I keep secrets from everyone. That’s what I do. That’s how I stop the monsters that most people will never, ever know about in this world.” The faint lines around his mouth seemed to deepen. “Marcus Aeros needs to be stopped. The people he’s killed? Their loved ones need closure. I don’t want him getting off on some damn technicality. I want him rotting in a cell for the rest of his life.”

“Funny. I want him rotting in the ground,” Ronan returned.

Gray leapt to his feet. “Don’t forget who you really are, dammit!”

Ronan knew exactly who he was. Maybe Gray was the one who had forgotten.

Once again, Luna tried to rise.

He just tightened his hold on her. “You’re not getting away.”

“You’re the one running, Ronan!”

“Not any fucking more.”

He felt her start of surprise. They’d get back to that issue in a moment, but, first, Gray needed to understand a few very important facts. “I’m not handing Luna off to anyone so they can deliver her to Marcus. Certainly not to that prick piano player.” Cameron would never touch her again.

“You broke his fingers.” Gray looked and sounded less than pleased.

“He deserved it.” Really? Was Gray gonna argue that point?

Oh, right. Gray was the uptight and upright FBI guy. He probably was gonna argue.

“Noted,” Gray said. Just that.

Ronan blinked.

“But I need to use the guy,” Gray added grimly “He is the one Marcus is expecting for Luna’s handoff.”

“Big fucking deal. Get him to give you the location of the meetup for Marcus, then swarm the place.”

“Hewon’tgive up the data.Agents are trying, but he’s refusing to cooperate.”

Someone save him from good guys who couldn’t get shit done. “Give me five minutes alone with him, and I’ll have the address.” Ronan thought about what he’d just said and amended, “Nah, I only need two.”

“Ronan, I can’t let you attack a prisoner!”

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