Jace had to know Erika would arrive at first light. She pulled her weapon, ready for action, ignoring the blinding pain stiffening her neck as she climbed into the boat house.
A creek sounded from her right. She spun around and saw a dark figure in the corner exactly Jace’s build.
She readjusted her aim but said nothing.
“I have something that belongs to you.” He held the necklace into the light on the flat of his palm. His voice was a deep rumble in his chest. Damned if she could stop it from wrapping around her, warming her.
“Toss it over here.” She didn’t want to acknowledge her heart’s fluttery reaction at hearing his voice. Or how much she missed the feel of his arms around her.
“I know how important it is. I’m sorry I held on to it for so long, I guess it was my only piece of you.” He tossed the peace offering toward her.
She caught it effortlessly, ignoring the chills running up her arm. She didn’t want to show her weakness. She didn’t want Jace to see how much getting that necklace back meant to her. And maybe she didn’t want to admit to herself how much it meant that he’d brought it back.
“Catching that condom so quickly was how I confirmed you weren’t in Vancouver for my ability to make good coffee.” He motioned toward her hand. “It was the only crack in your facade.”
Jace would know better than anyone that officers were trained to notice subtlety in everyone around them and especially with their handlers. Catching nearly imperceptible static on a call or the slightest hesitation meant the difference between life and death. Their skills had been honed in the field and their refined instincts kept them in the game.
She held the necklace in her fist, keeping her gaze trained on him. “Now what?”
* * *
“That’s up to you.” Jesus, she was a sight for sore eyes. He’d wanted to come clean before, to tell her everything. Once he’d realized who she was, who her father had been, he knew she’d bolt. Jace hadn’t appreciated the pile of shit he’d stepped in when he’d accepted the assignment a year ago to terminate Sam Carter. Rogue agents, ruthless killers, millions of dollars at stake. And especially what would happen to the agency if the information leaked. It was a fucking nightmare and all trails led to his boss.
And Jace was about to see if Murdock was dirty.
Erika was skittish. Scare her again and she might disappear. He stabbed his fingers through his hair. How much could he tell her?
He’d been in hiding for a year when she’d waltzed in. So fucking beautiful, he couldn’t turn away. He hadn’t been completely sure of whom she was until the condom. But she hadn’t tried to kill him so he’d danced, too.
Giving up his password had been meant to gain her trust. They could look at the picture files all fuckin’ day and wouldn’t find anything except the message he’d sent to Murdock. The one that said Jace knew what Jack Nile had done and had proof. All hell was about to break loose for Sanctuary.
“Who’s the third partner of CorMeds?” she asked, impatience clipping her tone.
Jace took a step toward her, out of the shadows. “That the only reason you came? To talk about work?”
I’m not here to play games. Start talking or I’m out.”
He stood there staring at her for a long moment. God help him she was beautiful when she was being stubborn. He loved everything about her—especially her imperfections. The healed slashes marking her arms and legs made her even more real to him. She’d been in pain and hadn’t been afraid to show it on the outside. Erika was the most real person he’d fuckin’ ever met. And he’d been drawn to her the second she walked into that bar.
“The headaches. You’ve had more, haven’t you? And they’re getting worse.” She needed medical attention. She’d refused to let him take her to the hospital in Vancouver and he’d known why. She didn’t want to leave a trail, not that she would’ve used her real name anyway.
She took a step back, watching him wearily, and that look of distrust nearly caved his chest. “I got what I came for.”
“No. Don’t go.” His hands came up in surrender. “I need you. This meeting could go south any second and you’re the only person I trust. We can help each other.”
“You no longer have anything I want.”
That comment scored a direct hit. It had the effect of a physical blow, even though he held his ground firmly.
“I need to know you’re okay.”
“Talk to me about Sam Carter,” she countered.
“When this is over, I’ll tell you everything I fuckin’ know.”
Her gaze shifted from him to the water. All she had to do was pull her mask down and Jace figured she could disappear into its depths in two seconds.
“Time’s up, Jace.”
“Don’t do it. I’ll tell you what you want to know.” He’d wanted to know how deep Murdock was involved before she told Erika everything.
“Then you need to talk. Who is Sam Carter?”
“He was one of three partners working together in a shell corporation funded by Exacto. The third partner was an officer.”
“I was able to figure that much out. Whatever was going on had to be a big fucking deal based on the collateral damage so far. And I knew there were military implications. Why don’t you tell me the rest? Why don’t you trust me?”
“Because I didn’t want to scare you off. I knew you’d disappear and I’d never find you again. I couldn’t let that happen.”
“Why?”
“I wanted to see you again.” He glanced from side to side. If Murdock wanted Jace dead, this would be the perfect time for the hit. Then again, maybe Erika was there to do the job herself.
“What does any of this have to do with my family?” She pushed on.
Lie to her and he’d be putting their relationship in greater danger. He already had to hold back too much information as it was. But he couldn’t bring himself to rock her world when all he wanted to do was protect her from the truth. The fucking curse was that she would most likely hate him anyway.
So far, this meeting was a bust. Jace couldn’t shake the bad feeling he’d had all morning. He figured it was time to abort, regroup, and come up with plan B.
She stood there, the end of her weapon pointed squarely in between his eyes, and she’d disappear forever if he didn’t choose his words carefully. She’d already fallen off his radar for the past forty-eight hours, and he hadn’t slept or eaten. Jace didn’t like not knowing where she was more than he wanted to admit to himself. But telling her would rip her world apart. How the fuck was he supposed to do that?
His attraction was one thing. Erika Nile did things to his heart he’d believed to be long dead. She pumped fresh blood into his body again and brought him to life. Those weren’t empty words when he’d told her she was his angel.