Page 65 of Garrison's Creed

He slowed into the horseshoe driveway of the high rise building, then turned to her, his eyes almost pleading. “You wouldn’t.”

“Obviously you don’t know me as well as I thought you did. I was out there by myself before you two came along. The only reason Titan’s involved is because the CIA wants this one off the books. I’ll go off the books for both Titan and the CIA. I want this fucker. If I get the chance to take him out, bring him down, or just entrap him, he’s mine.”

He shut his eyes. Worry creased their corners. “Nic…”

“Blah, blah. I’m sick of it.”

Beth stirred. Cash parked his truck and got out, leaving Nic alone with Beth, who had gone back to snoring. Very slowly, Cash opened the passenger door. Beth was still very much passed out.

“Grab her stuff. Get her keys out.”

Nic stared at him. “What are you doing?”

The whiskey in her blood slowed, as she understood his plan. Click. He undid the seatbelt and extracted her snoring best friend. Beth nuzzled against his chest. Cash was a protector. He did it without thinking. Without being asked. He did it because he probably expected no less of himself. Damn him, all well-rounded and caring.

Nicola pinched her eyes tightly. Cash wanted their heavy lifting because of who he was. Nic in the field threw that balance off. Too bad. He needed to find a new center of gravity.

With Beth draped over him, Cash started toward the front doors. The doorman opened without a sideways glance. Nicola could do nothing more than watch Cash.

“You coming?” he asked over his shoulder.

The keys jangled in her hand, kick-starting her butt into gear. She led the way to Beth’s apartment.

***

Nicola had taken Beth’s shoes off and left her a glass of water and two Tylenol on the bed stand before they left.

“Thanks. For helping Beth.”

He chuckled. “She’s a lightweight.”

“Trust me, she’s not. I’d chalk that up to an empty stomach and too much excitement.”

Cash shrugged, and they walked down the corridor. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Look, I didn’t mean to get so upset. I’ve worked hard to prove myself and… I know it’s in your nature. I just… I don’t know.”

They stopped in front of the elevator, and he pushed the down button and popped an Altoid. “We’re finding our equilibrium. New partners and preconceived notions.” His voice was quiet, but he still didn’t sound willing to budge on David the Butler.

“Maybe.” She watched him in the oversized wall mirror instead of pacing the length of the waiting area. Since he’d called her fidgeting habit, it was on her mind.Don’t squirm. Don’t fiddle.Don’t, for the love of God, give Cash a reason to get in her head.

“Let’s work the ammo angle. We’ll go see Sugar, get that over with, and then we’ll be working together. Just like you want.”

“Why?” Sugar? He wanted more drama?

“Why not?”

“Because we’re fighting, and Sugar isn’t going to help.”

“Nah, this is more like a disagreement. A work-related disagreement. I don’t think it has anything to do with you and me.”

“It has everything to do with us.”

“Us at work.”

“Us in general.” She shook her head.

“Nope.” He paused and looked her over from blonde bun to butt-kicking boots. “We’re disagreeing, and it’s bothering you because you care. Don’t know if you realize that, but it’s true. And I’m apparently the problem, and it’s because, I guess, I care.”

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