Chapter 6
God, I miss him.
Whenever Annie had downtime, her thoughts drifted to Mike.
While they were waiting to hear back from Storm and Nox, Annie had gone upstairs to her temporary lodgings. When she wasn’t busy, Annie obsessed about the wrong turns she’d taken, and what she could’ve done differently. To avoid a wave of guilt, Annie kept busy.
She jotted down a quick to do list and got started.
She’d wanted to catch her boss on the phone, Mr. Lancaster, but she got his voicemail instead. Annie left him a detailed message, explaining her situation. Since she was a floater and didn’t have a regular job, Annie figured it wouldn’t be a huge deal. Truthfully she wouldn’t miss work at all. She hated leaving her shift smelling like a deep fryer.
And then Annie unpacked and settled in.
It was much better than the crappy motels she’d been staying in. There was a full-sized bed, a nightstand, a closet, a chest of drawers, and a small desk in the corner of the space. The linens on the bed were clean and looked new. Annie spent the rest of the day, doing laundry on the second floor, grabbing some groceries from the local store, and going through her records.
Later on in the evening, after she’d checked every item off her list, Annie laid in bed, twiddling her thumbs, and staring at the ceiling.
Once again, her thoughts drifted to Mike.
“Nope, gotta keep busy.” Annie threw on a pair of leggings and an Ohio State shirt and headed downstairs.
Time to work off some calories.
When she arrived, she found Mack swinging a kettle bell over her head. Mack wore matching athletic gear—a blue and black muscle shirt with leggings. Along her left leg, Goal Digger was written. Even her Nikes had a matching blue swish.
“Hey,” Mack said. “Felt like doing some lifting, too?”
“Yeah.” She picked up another kettle bell, although hers was smaller and mimicked Mack’s movements, concentrating on her muscles. In a few short minutes, Annie was huffing and puffing.
Geez. I should lay off the fries.
“Thanks for the intel on Doe.”
“No problem. Find anything useful?”
“Maybe.”
How’s that for vague? “Care to share?”
“Doe isn’t your common criminal. He works alone, never with a team, and he targets wealthy individuals.” She cocked her head to one side. “And I wonder if he uses social media to coordinate his attacks?”
“What do you mean?”
“All of his targets used Instagram. They liked to take pictures of their meals in fancy restaurants, the designer clothes they wore to fancy parties. I noticed most of them geotagged their precise locations.”
“So he knew exactly where they’d be. Smart.” It was so simple but brilliant. Annie didn’t know why people weren’t more careful online. It was a stalker’s paradise, and people willingly offered up intimate details of their daily lives.
“Yes, he’s very cunning and resourceful.”
It almost sounded as though she admired him.
When Mack had gone through the source materials, she’d no doubt seen his mug shot. Even Annie had to admit Doe was attractive, ridiculously so.
Although, she couldn’t see past West.
She hadn’t been able to stop thinking about the man all damn day. He lingered in the back of her mind, a constant temptation. Annie tried to push the intrusive feelings away, and focus on the case, but it had been difficult. No, impossible.
Enough about West.
“We also had a robbery at the bank in town, and I wonder if there might be a connection.”
“Doe doesn’t hit banks.”
She shook her head. “No, but I think it might’ve been a distraction while he went after another target. I’ve noticed there are other robberies in the same vicinity when he makes a move, but I’m not sure if my hunch is right, or just a data glitch. I’ll get back to you when I know more.”
“Thanks.”
Annie glanced around, taking the room in, searching for another topic of conversation. She could use some company. Since Annie had been a floater, nobody really knew her at work. At night, she’d been in anonymous hotel rooms. Annie hated to admit it, but she’d never been so lonely.
Annie had sorely missed working with other law enforcement professionals, people dedicated to protecting others and serving the law. It felt good, right somehow as though she belonged here.
Don’t get too comfortable, girl.
Once she got the bastards, she’d still have to figure out what to do with the rest of her life, and it’s not like any other agencies would touch her since she’d been fired from the Marshal Service. She’d be lucky to get a position as a mall security guard.
“I expected to see more equipment here.”
“West is a big believer in high intensity training.”
“Have you known him long?”
Mack pushed a damp curl from her forehead. “No. I just heard about the job opening from a friend of mine and got in touch with West.”
“So where are you from?” Mack asked, making conversation.
“I’m from the Cincinnati area, what about you?”
“Pittsburgh.”
“And you were an FBI agent?”
“Yeah, I was.”
Annie got the impression it was a sore subject, but she couldn’t resist prying.
“How long were you with the Bureau?”
She turned away. “Not long enough.”
I’d better move on to another topic quick.
“So what’s his story?”
“West?”
Annie nodded.
Mack set her kettle bell down. “I think you should ask him, not me.”
“Yeah, of course.” She flashed a smile, trying to cover the awkwardness.
“You feel guilty, don’t you?”
“What makes you say that?” Now, it was Annie’s turn to feel defensive.
“See, you answered the question with a question, which is a dead giveaway.”
Annie flinched. Mack had scored another direct hit. Damn, she’s good.
And then Annie remembered what Mack’s expertise was in, hostage negotiations, which meant she was insightful. She must have a psych background.
“Sorry, but I read between the lines easily.” She shrugged. “I don’t see the point in screwing around.”
Me either. “Yeah, of course, I feel guilty. I got my partner killed.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. We all fuck up.”
“But this was a huge mistake, and the consequences were disastrous for some people.”
“I didn’t say you should forget what you did, only that you should forgive yourself, and move on. After all, can you change what happened?” After wiping her face, Mack slung a towel over her shoulder.
Annie shook her head.
“Then maybe wallowing in it, isn’t the best use of your time. Why not translate all that emotion into action?”
“You’re probably right.”
Mack seemed to speak from experience, and Annie wondered how she’d screwed up. Maybe that’s why she left the Bureau.. Annie would bet money, and she didn’t have much of it, that it hadn’t been Mack’s decision to leave the FBI.
“Look, it’s late, and I’m gonna head to bed. Good night.” With a wave, Mack headed out.
“Night,” Annie said, to the other woman’s retreating back.
Yeah, you’re making friends all over the place. So much for company.
She glanced around the room, finally noticing the speed bag in the corner. Annie spied gloves on a nearby shelf, along with medical tape.
Perfect. I’m in the mood to hit something.
A few short minutes later, Annie was ready to go. She loved the tight feeling of the tape around her knuckles. The red gloves were battered from a lot of use, but they formed to her hand perfectly, like extensions of her fingers.
She stretched her arms over her head and then wrapped them around her body, loosening the tendons and muscles. Her heart pounded hard, and she got a little excited and shivery. Annie always felt this way before she started wailing on something—inanimate or animate.
Maybe Nox isn’t the only one with issues.
The speed bag swung wildly, six inches from her nose as she pummeled the crap out of it. Her rhythm built— steady and slow at first and then faster and faster—right to left. Then she doubled up on the bag—left, left, right, right. Back and forth she went.
Annie let her rage escape.
Although, somehow, when she was beating it, Annie saw her own face for just a moment, flashing before her eyes. And she punched even harder.
Weight balanced on the balls of her feet, sweat dripping down her back, she danced with each hit, swinging around to land blows from different angles.
Ah, bliss. Nothing but rhythm and motion to focus on.
The door swung open, slapping against the wall with a thwap.
She missed the bag and nearly fell flat on her face.
What the…?
West sauntered into the gym. Yeah, he had serious swagger, like a cowboy of old, he made an entrance. He might as well have been pushing open swinging saloon doors for all the attitude he gave off. West wore a pair of black sweat pants and a matching sleeveless muscle shirt. She noticed he liked Hanes and Levis—all American guy labels. Nothing fancy.
West nodded to her before pulling a couple of massive dumbbells from the steel weight stands and sitting down on the bench near her. He did brisk bicep curls, and she studiously ignored the way his muscles rippled.
Show off. Those had to be fifty pound weights, and he lifted them effortlessly.
She beat the bag even harder and deliberately turned her back on him.
Yet, Annie felt his eyes on her.
Or maybe he just made Annie nervous? She tried to hold on to the fury, but she was distracted.
Time for some yoga.
It had been ages since she’d done a yoga flow. She used to do it every morning when she first woke up. Annie removed the gloves and wraps and took off for the mats by the window.
She couldn’t help but glance West’s way. Veins stood out in his arms, and he grunted as he pulled himself up on the chin up bar. Annie was amazed by his strength, the way his muscles strained. Next, he stood on his head against the wall and did push-ups, lifting his body weight up and down.
Annie was supposed to be getting her Zen on, but it was difficult to concentrate, especially when her knees felt like buckling. She couldn’t help, but imagine him laboring in other, more sensual ways.
Oh, yeah, I need to focus on something else.
Evidently, the movements had been ingrained into her muscle memory, and everything came back to her. Annie started off with the tree pose. She lifted her right leg and brought it to rest against the left. And then reached her arms up far above her head and pressed her palms together—standing perfectly still, balanced.
Annie moved into powerful pose next and imagined a thread of light stretching between herself and the universe. It was esoteric, but the need for connection and harmony was strong right now. Everything felt out of whack in her life, up in the air, and she needed balance.
Holding the pose, Annie inhaled deeply and then blew it out ever so slowly.
When Annie finally opened her eyes, she found West looming over her, staring down at her with a perplexed expression.
Annie let out a girly yelp. She hadn’t been aware he’d gotten so close, and she instinctively backed away.
Somehow, she got the sense he hadn’t enjoyed being ignored.
“I forgot to tell you, Storm pinpointed the location. We’ll roll up on Ryder at stupid o’clock.”
“Stupid o’…?”
He grinned. “Military speak. It means way too fuckin’ early. I’ll knock on your door around four.”
“I’ll be ready.” It was a familiar tactic. Targets who were sleepy and disoriented were much easier to capture.
“Maybe we’ll get some dinner later on?”
“The team, you mean?” Or is he asking me out?
He lifted a non-committal shoulder. “Maybe we’ll grab dinner at a restaurant, or head back to HQ. I fry a mean catfish.”
“Yeah, okay.” Annie thought it sounded like a group activity and swallowed her irrational disappointment.
“Damn, it’s hot in here.”
West wiped his brow, and sure enough, sweat streaked down his body. Somehow, it only made him more attractive, gave his skin a fine sheen, like the way body builders oiled themselves before a competition.
And then he shucked off his white cotton undershirt.
West wore a cross around his neck, and it glinted in the light, looking stark against the tanned ridges of his chest. He had a well-defined torso. His abs seemed to have been fashioned by razor blades, gleaming golden skin over muscle.
Her mouth watered and Annie turned away.
“Somethin’ wrong?” he drawled.
“Uh, nope.”
“Rook, who are you tryin’ to kid? You like what you see.”
His cockiness was even more of an aphrodisiac. Provided he could back it up, of course.
“It’s fine.” Schooling her features, she turned to face him once more.
“If you’re done stretchin’, Rook, we could try some hand-to-hand?” He raised an eyebrow. She couldn’t tell if he was razzing her, or if he meant it.
“Stretching! I was doing yoga.”
He shrugged. “I’m sure it helps with balance and flexibility, but it’s hardly a workout.”
There goes the gauntlet. I can feel an ass kicking coming on. His. Not mine.
“I know how to handle myself.”
“Oh yeah? Prove it.” His smile was so smug, Annie wanted to wipe it right off his insufferably handsome face.
“Fine. I wouldn’t mind smacking you around instead of the bag.” She danced away from him, moving back and forth, with her dukes up.
“Hand-to-hand is different,” he said sternly. “I ain’t punchin’ you. My mama told me to never hit a girl.”
“Yeah, well, in case you forgot, I’m a professional, and I don’t hit like a girl.” She swung at him, feigning right and then cracked his jaw with the left. His head rocked back. "See?"
“Ow! The fuck…?” West stepped back and put his fists up. “You sucker punched me.” He opened his mouth and flexed his jaw. “Goddamn it, Rook, you’ll pay for that.” His eyes flashed with the promise of retribution.
Rather than being nervous, Annie was eager, wondering what he’d do next.
“What can I say? Criminals don’t play fair, West. If you don’t wanna get clocked by one, don’t be a sucker. Always anticipate an attack.” She lunged forward, and he blocked her advance easily. “When it comes to fugitives, you’re the Rook, not me.”
“Oh, I see. You think you’re gonna teach a Navy SEAL?”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw King and Zane moseying down the hall. They stopped by the open door, gawking at both of them.
Excellent. I love an audience.
She swung and he ducked. Annie gritted her teeth.
“Like I said, I don’t hit women, but I ain’t gonna put up with your crap either.” This time, West advanced, backing her up against the wall. She had a rack of weights on the left, and a treadmill on her right.
Always have an exit strategy.
How many times had she heard the phrase in training? And yet, she hadn’t put up a fight, as though mesmerized by him.
Raw force was the only option. So, she curled her fist to hit him just under the jaw, but he seized her hand and held it against the wall, without much effort at all.
What is wrong with me? Fight back. Show him your moves.
“Now this is hand-to-hand combat. See the difference?”
She tried to free her wrist, but he held it fast. West was bigger than her, especially his sinewy, corded arms.
“Stop strugglin’.”
“Let me go.”
“I beat you. Admit it, and I’ll let you go.”
And then he gave her a sensual grin that kick started her heart, prodding it to beat even faster and not from exertion. She shivered and did her level best to look pissed and not turned on by his high-handed behavior.
“Fine, you win.”
“Impressed?”
“Hell yeah.” She glanced at her arm. “Now, are you planning on giving it back to me?”
“Sure, as soon as you call me Chief.”
“I already admitted you won this round.” Annie rolled her eyes. Screw that.
And then Annie brought her knee up hard, almost nailing him in the groin, if he hadn’t twisted away at the last possible second.
“Christ on a cracker!” West growled, but he didn’t release her.
A loud cheer came from the doorway.
“Show ‘em who’s boss, darlin’,” King called.
“Yeah, take ‘em down a notch or two.” Zane gave her a thumbs up.
“Leave. Now.” West didn’t even bother turning around to bark the order.
Chuckling, King and Zane left the doorway.
“Oh no. Did I hurt you?” Annie asked sweetly.
“I’m fine.” Although, West’s voice had roughened like someone had taken sandpaper to his vocal chords. “Damnation. You fight dirty.”
“Release me.”
“Fuck no. You ain’t gettin’ loose until I say you can.”
“Why not?”
He caught her by the chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “We both know, it’s not me, you wanna hit.”
She froze.
“It’s okay, I understand.”
West did understand, a bit too well for her liking. Somehow, he could see beneath her armor. Instead of talking this out, she wriggled away, trying to get loose.
And then he moaned.
Annie was suddenly very aware of how his hips bracketed hers, pressing low across her belly and she felt something distinctly hard against her hip. She twisted a bit, and he groaned again. Deep and low.
The sound turned her knees to jelly.
“Oh, Christ. Don’t move for fuck’s sake.”
Yup, West was aroused. No, make that very aroused, by the feel of things. It felt like they had a tree limb wedged between them.
And he wasn’t the only one. Annie suddenly felt a bit warmer, liquid in fact, as though her bones were melting.
She felt like rocking against him. No, grinding against him, taking her pleasure. Annie didn’t know what the hell was wrong with her. She’d never been bold, sexually speaking. Annie had never pursued a man, took charge in the bedroom. She really didn’t have any wiles to speak of, feminine or otherwise.
“Ah,” he purred. “So, a little bit of a tussle gets you hot and bothered, too, huh?”
Something electric brewed between the two of them. A hunger. A need.
Annie took a swing at him with her other hand, and he slapped it away. Slapped it away. Like she was some limp wristed little college co-ed in self-defense training.
Fine.
With a grunt, Annie shoved him with all of her might, trying to propel West backwards. It should have thrown him off balance, knocked his ass to the floor, but he didn’t seem fazed.
Nope, I’m not gonna do this. She couldn’t afford to split her focus. Screwing around with her boss, whom she also lived with, sounded messy.
No blurred lines for this girl. You’ve more than filled your quota of fuck-ups for the year. Actually, you’ve got the next decade covered.
She tried to slip away, but his hands settled on her hips, holding her but not hurting her. And when she glanced at his face again, West was a sight to behold.
The sharp planes of his face became sharper, harsher. That familiar blue eyed stare swept over her body, missing nothing. His cheeks hollowed with hunger, and he licked his sensual lips, as though starving.
“Why don’t you come to my room with me? We can work off this energy in another way.”
Annie was overwhelmed by temptation.
“Come on. I don’t kiss and tell. Nobody has to know.”
Somehow, Annie couldn’t find the words. She should be telling West, she wasn’t interested, but it would be a great big fat lie. Look at the man, for pity sake. How could she not be?
“Kiss me. We both know you want to.”
As though her lips had somehow staged a revolt, they were less than an inch from his.
His hands settled on her ass, squeezing.
More than anything, Annie wanted to give in. If nothing else, she needed to lose herself in passion, forget what she’d done, even for a few minutes.
“Why are you here, saying these things to me?” She wished he wouldn’t tempt her.
“Because I need you, too. One taste wouldn’t hurt.”
Quite the opposite, actually.
And then he bit her lower lip.
It didn’t hurt though, it was a gentle tug, an invitation to all kinds of badness. She wanted to mash her mouth against his, kiss him until the ache stopped.
Freaked out and turned on, she knocked her forehead against his. Hard. They both yelped in pain, but he loosened his hold, and she bolted away.
“You could’ve just said no.” Wincing, he rubbed his forehead.
She felt like an ass. Again. “West, I—”
“It’s cool, Rook.” West rubbed his forehead. “I’m sorry if I overstepped my bounds. We never have to talk about it again, if you don’t want to.”
“You’re not wrong, I’m attracted to you, but I shouldn’t do this.”
“I knew I wasn’t misreadin’ you, but I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
Annie owed him an explanation. “You didn’t, but I’m kind of a mess right now, in case you haven’t noticed. I’m not usually this…what’s the word you used? Prickly.” She bit her lip. “And somehow, I think we bring out the worst in each other.”
“We’re both alphas.”
Annie nodded.
His grin was brash. “If you’d give in, we wouldn’t have this problem.
“It’s not in my nature.” She rubbed her own aching temples. “If it’s any consolation, I hurt myself too.”
“It isn’t. I think you’ve been doin’ a lot of that, Rook.”
“What?”
“Hurtin’ yourself.” He headed for the door. “It’s time to stop, don’t you think?”