The next few days were busy. Gage had no idea what was going on with Laurel, but she’d been oddly distant. He’d asked her about it a few times, but she’d demurred, saying she was just distracted, focused on hockey. He didn’t believe her, but she was still interested in sex, still smiled and laughed when they were together… She just hadn’t been herself. The oddest thing had been when he’d asked Dani about it. Dani had looked strange, but caught herself and shrugged, saying she hadn’t noticed anything. Maybe there was a surprise or something afoot, since Dani was obviously in on whatever was going on. At least he hoped so. They’d come so far, he didn’t know what he’d do if she’d changed her mind again.
Tonight was a big night, though, for her and the team, so he wasn’t about to say anything that might upset her or start an argument. Besides, things were good. He was done with the CIA. Though he wasn’t one hundred percent positive, his gut told him Stefan Havlek was no longer a threat to anyone and was lounging on a beach somewhere getting ready to become a father. Laurel had finally said the words “I love you,” so they were on the right track. And his team had made it to the Western Conference finals. There wasn’t a single thing he wanted or needed in his life right now; he literally had it all.
When Carol’s name flashed on the screen of his phone, he groaned out loud. What the hell did she want now? How many times did he have to tell her he was done?
“What is it?” he demanded, lifting the phone to his ear.
“I need to talk to you.”
“We don’t have anything to say.”
“I disagree.”
“Fuck, Carol, what’s the matter with you? I’m done. How else do I need to explain this?”
“Gage, we still have important work to do. We’re a team.”
“Oh, cut the shit. I’ve been going to a few parties, a few shareholder meetings, a few other events a year. I occasionally discover something interesting or help you trace money trails through some of my investments. That’s it. I’m not much of an asset, and as far as shareholder meetings and the like, I’m happy to keep my place on those boards. I used my own money to buy into those companies, so I’m not going anywhere and I’ll always let someone know if anything looks suspicious.”
“I won’t accept your resignation. There’s too much going on.”
“Do I need to go over your head?”
“Dammit, Gage, you owe me. You let Havlek slip through your fingers and now who knows where he is? He could be blowing up Vegas for all you know.”
Gage had to bite his tongue not to say anything he would regret. “I told you, he said he was out of the game and my cover was blown. Look, I have to go. Take care of yourself.” He disconnected and didn’t pick up when she called back. He still hadn’t reached out to his buddy at CIA headquarters, and he had to make that a priority. Just not today.
The loss that night was both unexpected and frustrating. Gage was already having a bad day because of Carol and the loss could only be described as embarrassing. The team had either been having too much fun, had gotten too arrogant, or some combination of both, but they’d played like hell and it was the first time Laurel lost her temper with them. She’d kept her cool until the third period when a bad call by the referees cost the team a goal. She’d yelled at the ref and then snapped at Marshall, and Gage hadn’t been able to hear anything else from where he was hanging out near the tunnel. He normally didn’t get that close during a game, but he’d wanted to tonight and that had been a mistake.
He didn’t hear what was said in the locker room afterwards, but the team was deadly quiet as they filed out to the bus to go back to the hotel. Laurel sat up half the night watching tape of the game and making notes on her iPad. Gage finally dragged her to bed about three but when he awoke at nine she was already up and gone. She had a lot on her mind and he figured she needed a little space, but after yesterday’s conversation with Carol, he had a bad feeling in his gut that just wouldn’t go away.
There was a gym at the hotel and he decided to make use of it. It always helped clear his head and he wasn’t going back to sleep no matter what. He cleaned up, had a cup of coffee and a protein bar as he read his email, and then headed down to the gym.
He jogged ten miles on the treadmill and had just stopped to catch his breath when motion behind him caught his eye. He whirled, startled, and stared at Carol in frustration.
“What the fuck?” he demanded. “What are you doing here?”
“We have to talk,” she said. “You can come with me for an early lunch or I can hang around here until Laurel sees me and asks questions you’re not going to want to answer.”
He growled. “Jesus fucking Christ, tell me where and I’ll meet you in an hour.”
She smiled, mentioned a diner just down the street, and slipped out of the room.
He was going to kill her. Maybe not literally, but he’d had enough. This was going to be the last time he dealt with this, even if he had to go to the director of the CIA personally.
Laurel was coming back from a walk when she saw Gage exit the hotel and head down the street. She called out but he didn’t hear her and she followed, curious where he was going. She’d given the team the morning off to rest and recuperate, but they had a working dinner tonight at five that she’d warned them could go late. They were going to pick apart their performance last night until they had an idea what they were doing. They’d been sloppy and unfocused, something she hadn’t seen since her first game with them and that wasn’t acceptable at this stage of the playoffs.
Gage walked into a restaurant and Laurel slowed down as a woman got up to greet him, kissing his cheek. She obviously didn’t know all of his friends and business associates, but there was something familiar about her that Laurel couldn’t quite put her finger on. Who was she and why hadn’t Gage told her he had plans?
She felt a little queasy suddenly, slowing her gait as Gage and the woman were seated. Gage had his back to her now and she craned her neck to get a better view of the woman as she entered the restaurant. A hostess approached her with a smile.
“Just one?” she asked.
“Actually, no.” Laurel never took her eyes off the woman with Gage. “I’m meeting friends.”
Gage’s companion laughed and suddenly it clicked. She knew exactly why this woman was familiar and it nearly brought her breakfast back up. She couldn’t believe it. He’d lied. Again.
“You sonofabitch.” Her voice was low but Gage’s head snapped up as if she’d shouted it from the rooftops.
“Laurel.” He looked shocked to see her but she wasn’t looking at him.
“Hello, Laurel.”
“Carol.”
“Carol?” He gaped at them, looking from one to the other. “How the fuck do you two know each other?”
“How do I know your handler?” Liquid fire rushed through Laurel’s veins as she tried to contain her fury. “Because she came to me when I was in the hospital.”
“The hospital? When were you in the hospital?” He whipped his head around to look at Carol. “Why the fuck did you visit my ex?”
“I wasn’t your ex.” Laurel spoke with more patience than she felt. “I was your fucking wife and she came to tell me how inconvenient it was going to be if I told you about my miscarriage.”