Page 65 of When He Defends
Emerson made sure to mask her surprise.He’d been digging on Owen?They’d collapsed together after the truly phenomenal sex. She’d assumed he’d stayed in bed with her all night. But, apparently, he hadn’t been as tired as she had been, and Gray had…investigated Owen?Who else had he investigated? While she’d been dead to the world?
“Working with the senator is its own challenge, I can assure you of that.” Owen’s slightly mocking response.
Gray seemed to consider those words. “I can buy that. She’s a pain in the ass, isn’t she?”
“Gray!” Emerson couldn’t believe he’d just said those words.
He winked at her. “Let’s go see what she wants, shall we?” With that, Gray ducked into the limo, despite his very clear non-invitation, and he pulled her in after him.
Even as she got settled on the seat beside him, Owen was slamming the door and remaining outside. Emerson knew he’d stand guard and make sure no one else got close to the vehicle. That was his job, after all.
Standing guard. Making sure that Maxine didn’t have to face any unwanted obstacles. To protect the senator from Maine at all costs.
“You shouldn’t be here,” Maxine began as she beetled her brows and glared at Gray.
Ah, well, she did have one unwanted obstacle who’d just blasted past Owen. Honestly, Emerson was surprised that Owen hadn’t made more of an effort to block Gray.
He would have failed with more effort, though.She’d come to realize that pretty much nothing stopped Gray from getting what he wanted. Obviously, he’d wanted to chat with her mother.
“I was going to say the same thing to you. I mean, aren’t several senators in town for a meeting with the CDC? You shouldn’t be here. You should be getting ready for that meeting.” He made himself comfortable on the seat. Sort of sprawled even as his fingers kept right on twining with Emerson’s. “I don’t mean to get in your business…”
Emerson was completely convinced that he did, in fact, want to get in her mother’s business.
“But I think your driver made a few wrong turns,” he finished. “The CDC building isn’t anywhere close to this location.”
Her mother raised her chin and let her icy gaze freeze Gray. “You do not want to play with me, Agent Stone.”
“I don’t. You are so right. I have things to do. Killers to stop.”
Her mother’s gaze shifted to his hand. The hand that gripped Emerson’s. “Why are you holding my daughter’s hand?”
“Because we’re working on a case,” Emerson said flatly. “Why areyouin front of the FBI office?”
Her mother’s stare rose. Pinned Emerson. Blue eyes. Not the exact shade of Emerson’s. Her hair was blond. A blond applied every few weeks to make certain that no grays ever showed to the public. “You’re not seriously going to do this undercover mission with him.”
Gray sighed. “Figured you’d gotten the details from one of your spies. You have got to stop prying into FBI business. Get a new hobby.”
Her mother sucked in a sharp breath. “I am notprying.”She toyed lightly with the string of pearls that circled her neck. She always wore those pearls. Fancy rings. Glittering bracelets. “I am simply looking out for my daughter’s well-being. It’s what any loving mother would do.” Then, “Emerson, you’ve trained with him for several weeks now. You’ve even managed to arrest a serial killer. Good job.” Flat. “I think this exercise can now cometo an end. I’d like for you to return to DC. You were offered the position at Georgetown, and I think it would be in your best interest to take it.” She sent them a thin smile. Smugly satisfied. Certain. “Thanks for your cooperation, Agent Stone. But you are no longer needed in Emerson’s life. This is where you say goodbye.”
Chapter Fourteen
“What do I think of Emerson? I think she’s danger wrapped in a beautiful package. I’ll never underestimate her. That’s a mistake other people make. Not me.” – Gray Stone
Emerson stiffened her spine.Soft, classical music played in the back of the limo. Her mother’s pale blue dress matched her emotionless eyes, and her mother seemed utterly certain that her decree would be followed. Then again, she was always certain. But by this point, Maxine Marlowe should be used to Emerson disappointing her.
I didn’t take the career she wanted for me. I turned down law school for med school so I could be a psychiatrist.
I didn’t keep dating the man she’d carefully selected for me. Told Nathaniel not to let the door hit him in the ass on his way out of my life.
And despite her telling me that I need to head to Georgetown, I will absolutely not leave Gray.
Emerson sent her mother a cool smile. The senator wasn’t the only one who’d perfected an icy grin over the years. “I haveno interest in the position at Georgetown. I declined it. Twice. As you are well aware. I will not be leaving because I’m quite happy where I am.”
“Emerson, you are meant to be in an academic setting! You’re brilliant. You soared through college. Had top grades your whole life. You have opportunity after opportunity in front of you, but you are going to throw away these chances—for what? To play with criminals?” Disapproval dripped from her words.
Her mother had been horrified when she enrolled in med school. Emerson had been thrilled.
“You should be in a lecture hall,” Maxine continued. “You have papers to publish. You can’t still be angry that Nathaniel had the research breakthrough before you and released that paper?—”
