Cold Spite (Cold Justice: Most Wanted #5)

Chapter 27

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

C as suddenly sensed Delilah pulling away and putting up shields, which made him clench his jaw in frustration.

He’d go slow.

Persuade her he’d changed…expect nothing in return.

He needed to concentrate on the danger they both faced and help her however she needed it. Build rapport with her again. Over time make her realize that, despite everything, she could trust him. He’d always have her back.

He cleared his throat feeling like a teen asking a girl on a date. It was how he’d always felt around Delilah. Tongue-tied and inadequate, which he’d hidden under the quiet, tough-guy persona that, unlike most people of his acquaintance, she’d seen through immediately.

“Is it okay if I call or text you at Parker’s house tonight? To keep apprised of the case,” he added quickly.

She shrugged like she didn’t care, and her indifference pierced him like a needle through the heart. “Yeah, but I’m gonna need to find somewhere else to stay.”

He frowned. Was there something wrong with Parker’s place? “You don’t like him? ”

“I like him fine and his house is everything you’d expect from a multi-millionaire security expert?—”

“Is it the baby?” The jab of pain was unexpected. He’d never expected to be a father, wouldn’t have had the first clue about being one—but to realize what he’d lost, what she’d lost, hit him in a way it hadn’t yesterday when she’d first told him. It felt permanent. Irrevocable. He grieved for what they might have had.

“It is the baby. But not how you think.”

Her brown eyes met his.

“How then?”

She raised those fine brows and almost brought him to his knees. She was the one woman in the world for him. He had no clue how he’d found the strength to leave her behind.

Except, it hadn’t been strength.

It had been cowardice.

And cowardice was easy.

She turned toward him a little, as if they shared a secret. “I’m not putting a baby at risk. I don’t care how many security features Parker has, not when the FBI’s top profiler stated Scanlon won’t stop trying to kill me if he finds out I’m alive.”

Fair point.

He examined the raw scrape on his palm.

Her gaze flew to his when she spotted the shredded skin.

He crossed his arms. He didn’t want her to worry about him. “I’d offer you a room at my place but HRT plans to put cameras around my apartment and on the approach in case Scanlon tries again.” He straightened up. “Hey, maybe we should find a hotel somewhere nearby. Watch each other’s backs?”

She leaned close enough he could smell her shampoo and whispered, “I’m never sleeping with you again, remember ?”

He flinched. “This isn’t about that.”

Although he really wanted to sleep with her. To hold her. Now was not the time. “I know you hate me. I understand why. But we used to work well together, before?— ”

“Yeah, before .” She turned and put the disgusting-looking coffee on a nearby table.

“Look, can we call a truce? That isn’t about forgiveness or friendship. It’s not even the end of the hostilities because I know I earned them. It’s just a temporary cessation of fire until we’ve caught this sonofabitch and put him back behind bars.”

“I know what a truce is.” She sounded irritable and tired.

“How about it?”

Before she could answer Killion came over.

“I have to get back to Camp Peary.” Killion reached out to shake first Delilah’s and then Cas’s hand. “If you need somewhere to regroup or hide out give me a call.” He handed them both a card blank except for a phone number. “I’ll keep in touch with Parker and Frazer, but call me if you need anything in the meantime.”

Delilah put her hands on her hips. “Actually, I’m going to need to figure out some cashflow and my own transportation and somewhere to stay that doesn’t have an infant in the house.”

Killion’s gaze sharpened.

She crossed her arms, looking fierce and beautiful. “The idea of putting anyone else in danger, especially a child…”

“Parker can protect his family,” Killion assured her.

“He shouldn’t have to.”

Alex Parker joined them. He sent her a concerned look. “I heard my name mentioned.”

“Agent Quinn is reluctant to bring trouble to your doorstep.” A smile tugged at Killion’s lips.

Parker’s gray eyes stared at Delilah. Cas couldn’t read the man’s expression which was disconcerting for someone who’d grown up surviving on his wits.

“This isn’t up for discussion.” Delilah held up her hand. “I’m grateful. You’ve been amazingly generous, but I will not bring danger to the home of a couple who have an infant.”

Alex’s gaze narrowed. “While I’m confident I can protect you and my family, I’m also happy not to expose them to risks that can be avoided. I think I may have a solution.” He looked at Killion. “Quentin Savage planned to head to DC and stay at Haley’s place this week before the wedding. He headed up to FBI HQ immediately after the bombing. He’s putting the place on the market soon, but I doubt he’d mind if we borrow it for a few days.”

“That’s a great idea if he’ll go for it,” Killion agreed. “The way Audrey is going I doubt we’ll make the wedding.”

“I’ll get Haley to ask him. She can talk him into almost anything even though he’s the negotiator. I’ll tell him it relates to protecting a potential witness from the bombing.”

Cas rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t like the idea of Agent Quinn staying there without backup.”

“He has a point.” Killion stared blandly at Delilah.

“Things are tight. I could probably spare a bodyguard from the company, but I’d need to check with Haley first.”

“I can do it.” Cas wasn’t about to let someone else protect Delilah, not when he was trained, willing, and able to do so. “Makes sense to stay together given we are both potential targets.”

The three men stared at Delilah expectantly.

He knew he’d positioned himself back into her life without her consent, but he wouldn’t push, and she had called him first, a fact that had probably saved his life. He wanted the chance to pay her back. To make up for some of the misery he’d caused her.

Delilah’s mouth tightened. “Fine.”

It was hardly a ringing endorsement, but it wasn’t a “no.”

“I’ll arrange the delivery of cash, fake ID, vehicle, and anything else you can think of.” Killion pulled on his jacket. “Should be dropped off this evening. Someone text me to confirm Savage’s address.” His phone buzzed. He checked the screen. “Gotta go.”

They watched Killion leave.

“I’m heading to my office. Need a ride?” Alex offered. “I can show you the setup while I wait to hear back from Haley regarding accommodations.”

Mallory Rooney had left already .

“And we should probably get out of here before Trainer’s entourage arrives.”

Cas checked his watch as they headed to the door. “I’m going to borrow a vehicle and go pick up some supplies from my place. I doubt Scanlon is foolish enough to attempt anything else today, but I’ll take some HRT operators with me, just in case.” To prove he was a team player and not about to go rogue.

He frowned at Delilah. “We need to figure out some way to disguise your appearance from the casual observer.”

She touched her hair self-consciously. “I have the blonde wig.”

He shook his head. “Scanlon knows that look.”

“We should have something at the office.” Parker headed down the path to the parking lot. “Come on. Let’s see what my best analyst has found out about your friend Scanlon in the meantime.”