Page 89 of Spooked

He leaned in to kiss her on the cheek, and she flashed a grin as she smacked his ass. Well, just above it.

“We’re even for the tattoo now, yes?”

“Are you finally admitting that you knew what it said?”

“I admit nothing.”

“You haven’t changed a bit.”

“Oh, you think?”

Brax glanced out of the window, where men were still loading bags onto the plane down below.

“I suppose you did travel much lighter in the old days.”

Jerry gave a one-shouldered shrug. “Right now, we have no idea whether this is going to be a vacation, a training exercise, or a diplomatic incident, so we need to prepare for all eventualities.” She nodded. “Dawson.”

He stood behind Brax, slightly bent. “Jerry. I don’t know whether to hug you or salute you.”

“Either works.”

“You’re military?” Brax asked.

For a moment, he thought Jerry wasn’t going to answer. She always had been cagey. But after a moment’s consideration, she shrugged again.

“Officially, I’m Sergeant Knight, retired.”

“Sergeant?” Dawson sounded sceptical. “On an air force base?”

“Shh, don’t tell them. Congrats on breaking Senator Presley’s nose. There isn’t a person among us who hasn’t been tempted to do that.”

“It cost me my career.”

“Yes, that was unfortunate. And I was this far”—she held up a thumb and forefinger a fraction of an inch apart—“from coming to see you, but then you met Violet. If you ever need a job, let me know.”

“What are you doing now?”

“I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.”

“That’s what the other fellow said.”

“Who, Priest? Trust me, no one would ever find the body.” She turned toward the rear. “How long until we leave?”

“Five minutes,” someone yelled back.

“You must be Indali.” Jerry stepped forward to study her. “Congratulations on hooking up with this jackass.”

“Thank you, I think.”

“Which leaves Ari? Zach’s a good guy, which means I have to do the ‘overprotective friend’ speech. Don’t hurt him or I’ll fuck you up, yada yada yada. Tell me there are snacks on this bird?”

Ari just stared at her. Jerry was definitely an acquired taste; Brax would be the first to admit that. They’d gotten along as roommates, liked each other well enough as friends, and slept together occasionally during the brief periods when he wasn’t dating anyone. He’d never worried about her getting attached. Jerry didn’t do relationships, and although she was technically proficient in bed, she’d always kept an emotional barrier in place. Whether that was accidental or deliberate, Brax couldn’t be sure. Once, after a little too much to drink, she’d confessed that she had sex because it was the only time she felt a human connection, however fleeting. But he also knew that deep down, no matter how much she might try to deny it, she had a heart.

Because she was here, wasn’t she?

The redhead appeared in the cabin with Chase, and up close, she looked even better. She could make a fortune in The Dark, not just because of her looks, but due to her aura. It said “Don’t fuck with me.” Give her a whip, put her in leather, and she’d make a first-class dominatrix.

He offered a hand. “Brax Vale.”

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