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“I know.” He nods. “They told me. But I was still in Greece tying up loose ends. I only returned Stateside an hour ago.”
He’s been gone this whole time?
I have so many questions. It kills me to keep my mouth closed and not bring voice to the curiosity surrounding those women. Surrounding him. It’s pride that keeps my lips sewn shut.
“You’re the first person I’ve seen since we landed, Nissa. I’ve thought of nothing else this entire time.”
“Well, that’s too bad, because I stopped thinking about you a while ago.”
His lips kick up, silently calling me on my bullshit.
Asshole.
I look away, unable to face the truth. “How’s Tobias?”
“I’m not entirely sure. He returned to the States a while ago. Keira and Layla have been helping to look after him. But they think he’s feeding off Pe
“And what do you think?” I whisper.
“I think I want to quit talking about shit that doesn’t involve you. Instead, we should talk about your agent friend. I’m told Easton has been spending a lot of time at your apartment.”
I bark out a laugh. “I’m not going to dignify you with a response.”
“It’s okay. You don’t need to. I’m sure you’re well aware he’ll go missing if I find out he’s laid hands on what’s mine.” He leans close, his mouth hovering near my ear. “And you’re mine, Nissa, just in case you’re confused about our situation.”
I shudder, my entire body igniting with painful familiarity.
I want to be his. I ache for it every day. But the price is still too high.
I won’t sell my soul for him.
“Like hell I am.” I slide my arm away.
“You’re mine,” he repeats, his voice rough and ragged, the brutality filling my chest with a mass of tingles. “And I’m yours. It’s always been that way. You know it as well as I do.”
I shake my head, denying what I’ve tried to ignore for four weeks. Even longer. Since the day at the coffee shop. From the first day our eyes locked.
“I didn’t report what happened in Greece,” I admit. “I didn’t tell anyone. Can’t you be grateful and move on?”
“Can you move on?” It’s not a question. It’s a taunt. “Easton keeps hanging around at your apartment, but he never stays the night. He’s made it clear he wants you. But you’ve never let him get grabby. Why’s that?”
“Just how closely are you watching me?” I wish I was disgusted at the thought of him invading my privacy.
I wish.
I wish.
I wish.
Instead, my belly fills with butterflies. My lingering Stockholm issues have me concluding his stalking is a romantic gesture.
His lips lift in a lazy smirk. “He’s not going to come around anymore.”
“Because you say so?”
“Exactly.” He inches away, leaving me cold. “I’ll give you a week to let my return sink in. In that time, you need to tell him to walk away. Then you’re going to meet me next Sunday morning at our coffee shop at eight.”
“I’m not going to do any of that, Cole.”
The smirk increases, the expression entirely devilish. “And why is that?”
“For starters, there are enough questions about my loyalties within the Bureau without being seen with you in public.”
“Then quit and come work for me.”
Everything inside me reacts. Stomach. Heart. Lungs.
Each organ squeezes. Twists.
I’ve thought long and hard about our differing morals. I’ve stewed on the way the FBI stabbed my father in the back. And yes, I’ve questioned whether I have what it takes to switch sides, ditching one corrupt organization for another. But the indecision over Cole has been everlasting. The frustration and confusion are always there. “Very fu
“Fu
No, I don’t. He doesn’t do jokes. He does taunts.
“Think about it.” He takes a backward step. “Think about me. Think about how I haven’t left your mind for a second all month. Then meet me next weekend. Eight o’clock. Sharp.”
“I won’t be there.” My heart says otherwise, but I’m determine to succeed this time.
No more games. No more provoking.
I need to cut ties and move on.
“We’ll see,” he purrs.
I scoff and stalk along the path, my steps getting longer. “Goodbye, Cole.”
This doesn’t feel like goodbye. The tingling taking over my stomach resembles the excitement of a new begi
“For now, Nissa. Goodbye for now.”