Page 42 of The Debt Collector

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

It was as dark as night, even if the sun was still up beyond the swirling clouds. Tessa stood by the picture window, the lights of the city twinkling like starlight as the storm grew nearer.

Tonight, was the night. It had taken a mere twenty-four hours from the moment she’d made the call to Nigel to the final call from Tyrone. With everything Locke, Gage, and Knox had gathered about Luther, and after a few calls to external agencies, and pulling a few strings that impressed her to no end, he had alerted key people who were planning a strike operation, bypassing the corrupted, local authorities.

Tyrone couldn’t tell her more but promised to let her know when it was done, when Luther was in custody, and the incoming slaves freed and taken care of.

One thing she’d negotiated with Tyrone who was their liaison with the task team was the three men’s freedom, especially Locke’s, but she hadn’t told her host that bit. Tessa had seen all the papers and data he had gathered. The pictures and bios of so many people was impressive, but not once did he talk about possible repercussions for himself. Locke was trying to find redemption for something by sacrificing his life. It all made so much sense to her now that she saw the big picture. How he’d detached himself from any weaknesses, how he controlled everything around him, how he used sex to keep everyone at arm’s length.

As a doctor, she knew what it meant on a psychological level, but she was past that. It was the honor he didn’t see in himself that pulled at her. The way he cared for his friend, for her, and so many helpless, nameless women, imprisoned against their wills, while remaining so cold and detached in the eyes of the world, denying himself the same protection and comfort.

She knew that whatever feelings he had for her he kept trying to push aside, even though his cold, sea-green eyes were constantly watching her.

As rain started to fall, a drizzle at first, then a steady pour hitting the window pane, the daylight faded even more, announcing some sort of an end. If everything went according to plan, she would be able to return to work. Her old life. Although she wasn’t sure how it could be old, when she’d only been away for a week.

She would start referring to her life asBefore and After Locke. The man was a wet dream but didn’t want anything more beyond her opening her legs. And Gage? He had a delectable body, and an even more delectable mouth, the fighter could make her clench and come all he wanted, but something was missing.

There was a part of her that must like pain, as that was exactly what she felt every time she thought of Locke.

“The forecast didn’t say anything about a thunderstorm.”

And there he was, the shadow behind her. Her own secret obsession.

“Nobody can predict the weather.” Acting detached, Tessa tried her best to follow his lead with the way he’d acted over the last twenty-four hours.

Locke didn’t touch her, but he stood so close, she could feel his body heat at her back, his earthy scent in her nose. So close, yet, so far.

Lightning brightened the sky and thunder rolled.

“Are you hungry? Gage is supposed to cook something, I can’t guarantee it will be edible though.”

“You’re going to let Gage take control of your kitchen?”

“I figured that after you took over my domain, I could let him too. But he better clean up after himself.”

Another lightning strike. This time a lot closer. The storm was upon them. The entire city now appeared blurry through the rain. Lightening cut through the sky and the lights in the apartment faded. Once, twice, before completely going out.

Tessa heard Gage cursing from a distance and Locke walking away.

“Damn, the lights are out!”

“I bet you’re happy because you won’t have to cook tonight.”

She heard a bang and a series of curses. “Don’t move, Gage. I’m gonna find the flashlight.”

“I said I was going to cook, and I will. Even if I lose a foot in the process. What do you want to eat, Tessa?”

What she could see of the city was dark, but outside, it sounded like a battlefield. And maybe, in another part, near the pier by a container, another war was waging.

“Tessa?”

Shaking herself, Tessa forced a smile and turned to Gage. “I’m not hungry.”

Without another word, she went to her room. She didn’t feel particularly civil. In fact, it was as if her skin was too tight from the anticipation of what was happening on the other end of town. Small talk demanded too much effort.

The silence and darkness of her room combined with the low roar of the storm was immediately soothing. Until someone knocked at the door. “Yes?”

“Can I come in?” Gage’s voice sounded tentative.

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