• • •
“Thanks for working with us on this one Lake,” Hyde said, staring at the agent who’d left his job at the SSD just weeks before. Even before Kenton had turned in his request for a transfer, Hyde had known what the man planned. Kenton’s heart hadn’t been with the SSD any longer.
Special Agent Kenton Lake inclined his head toward Hyde. “Don’t think I had a real choice.”
Hyde let a brief lift curve his lips. “You didn’t.”
“Figured as much.” Kenton paused. “What else do you need?” Kenton had already talked to the press more than a few times over the last couple of days.
“We’ve got a press conference scheduled in two hours. I need you to satisfy the reporters and keep them out of my way.”
Kenton nodded. Hyde knew he had been thoroughly reviewing the case files. “You got a suspect?” Kenton asked.
“Two.” He tossed him the files.
Kenton whistled when he saw the names. “You want me to say this on the air?”
“I want you to let the bastards know we’re coming. Label them as people of interest, not suspects.” Hyde knew how to play the game. He’d been doing it for years.
“People that should be approached with extreme caution, right?” Kenton asked.
Hyde nodded. “And we could use another man in the field on this one. Sam… she’s protecting a witness.” He saw the surprise on Kenton’s face.
Kenton closed the files. “Then she’s back to full duty?”
Hyde remembered the fierce glint that he’d seen in Sam’s eyes last night. He wouldn’t have been able to drag her away from Ridgeway. Finally, that spine of steel. He’d been waiting for it to show. “She’s back.” And stronger than he’d ever seen her before.
“Talk to Monica. Get her to brief you on the profile she’s worked up on the two suspects,” he told Kenton, because they were suspects. Not damn “persons of interest.” Sometimes covering your ass could be such a pain.
“Yes, sir.”
Hyde hesitated. “And I hear… congratulations are in order.”
A wide smile split Kenton’s face. “They are.”
“You work fast.” The guy hadn’t been married long, but… “You’ll be a good father.”
“Sir, I’m scared as all hell.”
That brought a laugh from Hyde. “You should be.”
Kenton rose. “That’s not really what I was hoping to hear.” But a grin softened his face as he hurried off to find Monica.
Hyde’s gaze slipped to the frame on his desk. Such a beautiful smile there. One he only saw in pictures now. In memories that faded too fast. “You should be,” he whispered again, the laughter gone.
Because Kenton knew, like he did, that there was evil in the world. Evil that waited to steal away the light and the moments of joy.
Hyde’s fingers slid over the edge of the frame. They hadn’t found Heather’s body, and he knew they never would. His daughter would never be coming home.
Sam took Max to her place. Techs were still working at his apartment as they searched for evidence.
Two guards were stationed at her door—agents from the Violent Crimes Division who’d been sent over as backup. She knew a similar team was watching Weatherly. Ramirez had been relieved, and he was back to following leads on Donnelley.
The door shut behind them with a soft click. Sam cleared her throat. “You can make yourself at home.” Max hadn’t spoken on the ride over, just seemed lost in thought. “I’ve got plenty of food in the fridge, so I can make some lunch….”
“I’m not hungry for food.”
She put her gun on the table and met his gaze. “Max.”
He shook his head. “Everything’s gone to hell, hasn’t it?”
Yes.
“Quinlan’s not answering his cell; the cops can’t find him.” He shook his head. “It’s a waiting game, and it’s driving me crazy.”
The waiting was hell, but what was coming—it would be even worse. She took off her coat then walked toward him.
But his scorching look froze her mid-stride. “I’m not in an easy mood, baby,” he warned.
Had she asked for easy? Ever?
“I need you,” Max said gruffly, “so damn bad, but—”
She kept walking. When she reached him, Sam put her fingers against his lips. “I need you, too.” More than she could say. Sam was desperate for him. She needed to feel him against her, in her, needed to be certain he was safe. Alive.
Hers again.
Because that was how she thought of him. Mine.
Her hands went to the top of his jeans. His eyes never left her face. She caught the button, popped it free, and lowered his zipper with a soft hiss.
“Samantha…”
His c**k spilled into her hand. Long, thick, and heavy with arousal. Her fingers wrapped around him, then squeezed tight. She worked his flesh, one long, hard pump, from base to tip.
So warm and hard.
She eased onto her knees before him and took the head of his erection into her mouth.
“Fuck!” His shaft jerked at the touch of her tongue.
Salty. Rich. She licked the pr**cum on his cock. Didn’t think I’d have him again. So scared.
Her mouth widened, and she took him in deeper. Her hand slid down her body and pressed against the hard ache of need between her legs.
Wanted him. Always want him.
His hands tangled in her hair. “You’re so… beautiful…” He growled.
Her cheeks hollowed as she sucked him. She wanted to feel his control shatter as he came for her.
Her hand pressed harder against her sex. Her mouth tightened around him, and his c**k swelled even more in her mouth.
“No!”
His growl had her pulling back. Max’s eyes glittered down at her. “Told you, baby,” his voice was so gravelly, so rough, “I wasn’t feeling easy.” His hands moved to her shoulders, and he pushed her back, down onto the thick carpet.
Max yanked off her jeans and panties, taking her shoes with them, and he tossed everything into a pile in the corner. His hands—with slightly callused, rough fingers—closed around her thighs, and he spread her legs as he opened her wide to him.
“You’re wet for me.” Hunger and dark lust flavored the words.
One touch, and she’d been wet. Just as he was hard for her. She twisted beneath him, needing more. “Come inside me now.”