Page 41 of High Velocity

My grip on Stephanie’s shoulders tightens.

“He’ll have to get through me first,” I deliver through gritted teeth.

All I get in response from the agent is a raised eyebrow before he gets behind the wheel of his SUV and backs away from the house.

“Well, that was about as fun as a root canal,” Stephanie jokes, as the SUV disappears down the driveway in a cloud of dust.

I drop my arm from her shoulders and turn to her.

“You have history with him.”

She nods. “A very brief and sordid history, yes. Thirteen years ago, when I was fresh out of the academy.”

“Let me guess; he was the charming, experienced agent offering to take a new recruit under his wing. He promised you the moon, while screwing every other skirt who crossed his path.”

“Skirt?” she fires back, catching me on the derogatory term.

“You know what I mean. Not a word I’d use to describe women, but you know he would. I know the type.”

She turns her head and looks away.

“You’re pretty close to the mark. Not my finest moment. Especially since he used to be my father’s partner before Dad retired.”

I’m starting to see why the topic may be difficult for her. It also confirms my suspicions about Vallard; the man wants back in there. But I meant what I said, anyone trying to get to Stephanie—including the agent—will fucking well have to get through me first.

“We all make stupid choices when we’re young,” I offer. “It’s the only way to learn.”

She reaches for the door and opens it, releasing Ash, who comes barreling toward me.

“Hey, buddy. Have you been behaving?”

“We just got back from a long walk,” Stephanie volunteers. “He got hung up on some animal scent out there, but I was able to eventually get him to come.”

“Yeah, recall can be a challenge, it’s something we’re still working on.”

She leads the way inside; I pick up the bag of dog food and follow.

“You’re probably hungry, aren’t you?” I mutter at the dog, who is circling me.

“I hope you don’t mind; I shared my breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast with him. He seemed so hungry,” Stephanie confesses, an apologetic grimace on her face that makes me chuckle.

“I don’t mind, but be warned, he’s a mooch. I fed him last night before I brought him over, so he should’ve been fine.” I drop the bag of dog food on the kitchen counter and look down at the half-full metal bowl of water on the floor at my feet. “I probably should’ve brought his bowls.”

Stephanie brushes past me and pulls another mixing bowl from the cupboard, handing it to me.

“He can use that one.”

Then she leans against the counter and I can feel her scrutiny as I scoop out some food for Ash and set it on the floor beside the water bowl. Ash doesn’t hesitate and starts scarfing the food down.

“So is he staying?” she asks, sounding a little apprehensive.

“We both are,” I return in a low voice. “If you’ll have us.”

The effect this woman has on me cannot be denied. Just thirty minutes ago, I was still trying to convince myself this whole thing between us simply couldn’t happen, and here I am, begging to stay. The fact I found an ex of hers sniffing around may have had something to do with that bold request as well.

Her mouth drops open and I see her blink a few times before she clears her throat and responds, “Holy shit, you’re not wasting any time.”

I shrug. “Don’t see the point of it. At least not anymore. I used to move slow, cautiously and methodically, so much so, the guys in my unit came up a tag they’d mock me with. But I’ve recently been made aware life is too short to waste time.”

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