Page 59 of It's Always Been You

“It’s all there.”

“My bookkeeper is checking the account right now.”

This was the first time Caitlin had a face to face with the man who had been hunting her and Jase down for the past three years. Admiral Porter was doing all the talking. That was what he advised her when all three of them, including Travis, gathered at the conference room to transfer the money to Komarov’s banks.

After a few minutes, Komarov received his confirmation. “My man has verified the funds. I’m sending you the information on my agent inside the Zorin Bratva. I’m not sure if he’s the person giving you the problem dealing with Grigori Zorin—”

“We’ll determine that for ourselves,” Porter cut him off.

Komarov transferred his gaze to Caitlin and then to Travis. “So, are we even? Or do I need to worry about you, Mr. Blake?”

Travis was silent, but Caitlin could feel the rage simmering under his skin. Porter was about to say something when Travis finally spoke. And when he did, his voice was low and harsh. “I could kill you for sending your thugs after my wife. But I want this whole affair over. Just stay away from us.”

“You have my word,” Komarov said. “John Cooper didn’t only steal from me but from you as well.” His eyes lingered on Caitlin. “Someone precious. I wish you a good life, Caitlin Kincaid. Mr. Blake.” His gaze slid to Porter. “Goodbye, Admiral.”

The feed disconnected.

The two men stared at each other. Caitlin could feel the tension pinging between them and decided to cut through it. “Well, that was anti-climactic.”

Travis looked at her, his eyes warming up. “We could do with less excitement and more normalcy.”

“So what do you plan to do now, Caitlin?” Porter asked. “You’re a free woman.”

“Did I miss the memo? Was I a prisoner?” Caitlin quipped. She knew figuratively she had been until Komarov was placated. And now the Russian mob boss seemed satisfied. Finally, after three years on the run, she could slow down and find herself again.

“I could continue giving you some work,” Porter offered.

Caitlin’s eyes lit up.

“Damn it, Admiral!” Travis snapped.

“Cool it, Lieutenant—”

“Travis—”

“I’m not having her work for the CIA and have another mob boss after her again,” Travis said. “She doesn’t have to work. I can take care of her.”

Caitlin’s temper flared. Travis didn’t say it, but she could almost hear him addingand she will be having my babies.

“I want to work,” Caitlin said even as Travis glared at her. “But nothing dangerous like handling money for the mob. Never again. I’m not sure I want to work for the CIA either. So Travis you can back off your overprotective bullshit.” She looked at Porter. “I can return the laptop. But remember the password I told you that sounded familiar?”

“What password?” Travis was scowling.

“Hephaestus?” Porter’s face was blank. “What about it?”

“There’s another one that I think means something—Carpathian—and it seems to be connected to the first one, but I can’t seem to—”

“You’re done.” Travis’s tone was firm, and his face hadtaken on a hard edge as his eyes challenged Porter. “You’re returning the laptop. End of story.”

Porter’s words were carefully phrased. “I’ll leave it up to you, Caitlin. I’m curious about the passwords you’re talking about, especially if you think it’s something important. Tell you what. Keep the laptop and mess around with it. Let me know when you’re certain whether or not they mean anything.”

Caitlin nodded, happy to keep the laptop and continue working on those nagging bits of information that hovered in the periphery of her awareness.

The admiral flashed her one of his rare smiles. One that would make her preen because she had his approval.

“I’m needed back at Langley, so I’d best get moving,” Porter informed them. He nodded to a still unhappy Travis and left the room.

“You and I need to clear up a few things,” Travis told her.

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