Page 83 of Bulletproof Love

This morning though, they’re like wound up spinning tops ready to be set free. Ray and his crew are meeting us at the address at eight, and we’ll find out for sure what the hell is going on in that warehouse.

With the energy in the apartment feeling suffocating, and my head fuzzy from looking at screens for days, I figured a nice walk and some caffeine would do me some good.

I grab my jacket from where it’s slung behind a chair, feeling Jasper’s eyes on me from across the room. He’s messing around with his guitar, shirtless on the couch. It’s hard enough to leave with him looking so damn good, but he’s gotta give me the eyes too. “I’m just going to grab some coffee. Don’t give me that look.”

“What look?” he asks, giving me his golden retriever eyes. I sigh, unable to hide my smile.

“Want anything?” He raises his brows and I know exactly what he’s about to say. “Not sexual,” I tease.

“Let me grab a shirt. I’ll come with you.” He meets me by the door, kissing me like he can’t go another second without it.

I’m still getting used to all this open affection between us. Not that I’ve been cold before, but this is different. The constant checking in, the touching, the kissing. I like it more than I want to admit.

We walk hand in hand to the coffee shop a block away. It’s relatively quiet this early in the day. Somehow, even after the plans we have tonight, this small moment feels normal.

“You look all deep in thought. Let me guess, you’re thinking about me naked?” Jasper asks, slinging his arm around my shoulder and pulling me tight against his body.

“How’d you know?” I say, my voice oozing sarcasm. “I can’t go five seconds without picturing your bubble butt.”

He glances over his head. “I do have a nice ass, don’t I? I’d picture my ass too.”

“Oh my God, I can’t with you.” I laugh and give his ass a light smack. “If you must know, I’m thinking how weird it is to do something so… ordinary. Getting coffee with my boyfriend while we plan to raid a warehouse full of traffickers later tonight.”

He chuckles. “Boyfriend, huh?”

“Oh, shut up.” I glare up at him. “What would you prefer? Plaything? Fuck buddy?”

He lets out a low rumble that brings heat to my cheeks. “I can work with those.” His thumb traces circles on my upper arm. “But I gotta say, being your boyfriend has some pretty awesome perks.”

“Like what?”

“Well, for starters—” He’s cut off by the sound of screeching tires. We both tense, hands instinctively moving toward our weapons, but it’s just some asshole running a red light.

“Fuck. We’re on edge, aren’t we?” I try to sound like I’m joking, even though my heart’s still racing.

“Can’t help it.” He scans the street as we walk. “Keep thinking about tonight. About Bailey.”

I squeeze his hand. “We’re going to find her.”

“I know.” He brings our joined hands to his lips, pressing a kiss to my knuckles. “Because I’ve got you.”

The coffee shop is just ahead, promising caffeine and a few more minutes of pretending we’re a normal couple on a normal morning. But we both know better. After tonight, nothing will be the same. I can feel it in my bones.

While Jasper finds us a table, I order our usuals. Latte for me, and caramel frappe with extra whipped cream for him. My boyfriend has the taste of a teenager, but somehow it makes me like him more.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out, tapping the screen. It’s another DNA match notification. Since helping to find Bailey, I’ve joined two new sites. The results rarely pan out, but I can’t help checking anyway.

The barista calls our order and I step over to the counter, but my eyes are glued to my screen. Twenty-five percent match. My hands shake as I put my phone away to grab the coffees.

What does this mean? Did I actually find someone?

“You okay?” Jasper asks as I set the coffees on the table.

“Yeah, just need to use the bathroom real quick.” I force a smile, needing a moment alone to process this. If I say something to Jasper before I’ve even had the chance to look at it, he’ll be so happy for me, jumping up and wrapping me in his arms. I couldn’t bear that if it turns out to be a hoax somehow.

The hallway to the bathroom is narrow and dimly lit. I grab my phone again, swiping open the app. A woman, an aunt, maybe? I round the corner, clicking on her photo to open up her profile, but stop short as I almost collide with a man stepping out of the shadows. “Oh, shit. Sorry,” I mumble, pushing past him.

“No harm done.” The man’s voice is smooth, but something about it gives me the creeps. I glance up to find his dark eyes studying me intensely. “I’ve been waiting for you, Falin.”

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