Page 90 of What Remains

“If I’m still wanted, then yeah, I’ll hang out for now until this case is closed.”

“You’re definitely wanted.” I pat his shoulder twice, then turn toward Easton, who’s waiting for me with the door open.

“What’d he want, by the way?” Easton asks, careful not to mention Julian’s name. “And why does he need to be safe?”

About that. I suppose Nash can hear this part since he’s on our team. “Zoey’s source showed up on a camera in London.” I duck under his arm, fighting a smile as I recall our texts just before the interruption. “He’s heading there with Zoey, Gideon, and Mason.” I don’t want to mention this next part, but I have to. “Reed and Hollis are on this side of the pond, so they’re going to meet up with them and help out.”

Easton drags his thumb along the underside of his bottom lip, eyes on the floor. Thoughts of that helo crash probably weighing on his mind. When his gaze slowly lifts to mine, the heaviness in his expression guts me.

“Who’s Gideon? Hollis and Reed?”

“Jason Reed works for Delta Shield Security. Former Army Delta. He married Hollis, and Gideon’s her brother,” I answer since Easton appears still lost in his thoughts.

“You’d know Hollis as Celeste.” Easton finally speaks up, and I almost forgot Nash worked with Carter and Easton back in Carter’s FAFO days.

Who am I kidding? Have we even left those days?

“Hollis helped us on some trafficking leads when Carter was searching for his first wife’s killer.”

Nash’s eyes narrow on him, and I can see the lightbulb going off. “I remember her now.” He arches a brow. “Didn’t you date her?”

Cue jealousy that doesn’t belong inside me.

“Something like that.” Easton wastes no time in grabbing gum from his pocket. Spearmint locked between his molars, he deflects, “Anyway, Hollis’s family is helping us out. And, well, now Hollis, too, I guess.”

Nash glances back and forth between us, and I’m pretty sure he’s sensing we need to be alone. “I should head to Carter’s room and have him fill me in on what else I need catching up on.” He wraps a hand over my shoulder and lightly squeezes. “Really damn glad nothing happened to you. I’d feel absolutely fuckin’ horrible if—” Emotion presses into his words, and he stops himself from continuing.

I cover his hand and nod my gratitude.

Once he leaves and the door is shut, I spin around to face Easton.

He wastes no time voicing my earlier thoughts. “Carter’s not going to like us splitting up like this. What if it’s another distraction? Or even a trap?”

“If it’s a trap, they’ll figure it out beforehand and turn the tables on these pricks.” I force a smile. “So . . . do you have an answer for me?”

“An answer to what?”

“You know about what.”

He fake scowls. “The movie?”

“Mm-hmm. We have a lot to do today, but it’ll help relax me before bed so I can sleep. Can’t have me tired and grumpy tomorrow. I’m no good to anyone like that.”

He shakes his head, and I know he’s going to say yes. “Maybe.” He holds up a hand, anticipating my protest. “But no horror flicks.”

“Why? Worried I’ll crawl onto your lap?”

His wolfish, sexy grin about sends me over the edge. “You know that’s the only reason you want to watch a scary movie, don’t try to lie to me.”

“And you already know in your arms is where I feel safest.”

He cuts the space between us to practically nothing as a wave of desire cruises through me. Chills flutter up my back, causing my nipples to harden. His gaze moves to the tight fit of my shirt, as if he knows the reaction I’m having to him.

Then he surprises me by cupping my cheek, and I turn my face into his warm palm and do something equally shocking—I kiss the inside of his hand.

It’s daring and bold, but I’m done pretending we’re only friends.

“You promised me you’d behave before you went to bed last night.”