Page 124 of Shadow Sabotage
I bit my lip.
“But that’s not what makes me good,” he said before brushing his lips softly against mine. “And I don’t want a life like his.”
I nearly came apart right there on the dance floor.
“We’re good together,” he continued.
“Yes, we are.”Sogood together.
He whispered into my ear. “So I have a proposition for you.”
“Oh?” I asked, feeling weak.
“I was late because I didn’t come straight here. I stopped to have a conversation with my father first.”
I pulled back and blinked. “Okay.” This was not where I’d thought this conversation was going.
“I used the FBI offer as leverage to get a better one from him.”
My heart soared. “Wait, what? You mean you’re staying in Wyoming?”
“Yes.” He sent me for a spin, then brought me back, clasping me tight against his firm body. “I also convinced him that he needs a second center of operations—here in Wildwood.”
My eyes went wide. “How did you do that?”
“By showing him the possibilities and the benefit of having a safe house for his clients that’s far off the grid and out of the busy tourist zones.”
“So you’re going to live here in Wildwood? Seriously?” I was almost dizzy with excitement.
He grinned. “I am. And he gave me full hiring capability. So here’s my proposition: be my partner.”
“Your partner?” I blinked again. “At the security firm?”
“Yes. At the security firm and … more.” He brushed his lips against mine again, then dipped me.
When he pulled me up, I realized my entire family was staring at us. Mom was beaming. My brothers were staring Vance down.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“You’re amazing,” Vance said, grinning as he took in the sight of everyone watching us.
“That’s not why they’re staring,” I whispered, flushing red.
“I don’t care.” He nipped my neck with his teeth, earning a death glare from Jonathan.
“Stop,” I laughed, pushing him away. I dragged him from the dance floor back to the table where we could talk. “So let me get this straight. You’re offering me a job.”
“Yes. Claire, you’re too good for the sheriff’s office. You know you’ll never be happy there.”
“True.” And it had been even worse since this investigation. Even with Trey gone, things remained awkward between me and Sheriff McGrath. My days there were numbered and I knew it.
He gave me a piercing look. “I’m offering you a job where you can do more. Where you can color outside the lines. Where you’ll never have to answer to people who don’t understand how valuable you are to the team.”
“So you’re saying you’d be my boss?” I said, raising an eyebrow.
“No.” He shook his head. “Partner, not boss. You’d be an independent contractor. An equal. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
My heart soared again.
