"We have a lot in common," I finally say. My voice sounds rusty like I hadn't just been talking. "I found out something disturbing about my father, too. It was the case I needed your help with last month."
Her gaze turns sharp, the analyst coming to the fore. "Did he work in the labs?"
"I thought he must've come from the labs. I presumed he'd been part of a government experiment, similar to Nash Armstrong. They shared some similar traits." I shake my head. "But it wasn't what I thought. Not at all. And I found out something... I really didn't want to know."
Now she squeezes my fingers. "I'm sorry."
I clear my throat because I'm entirely unaccustomed to being on the receiving end of anyone's sympathy, but I'm not about to reject anything that comes from my tender handler. Everything about her is too pure, too raw. Too precious.
"I think the important thing is not to make some decision about whether they were good or bad. Or what it says about you. I mean, is it possible to just remember him as your father?"
She releases my fingers, her mouth twisting into a wry grimace. "Now you sound like Director Scape."
Our food arrives, and I have to draw a deep breath to keep from attacking the meat before the plate's even down.
"That's not what I meant," I say between inhaling my burgers. "I don't mean to pretend something or believe in a fairytale. I just mean honor the good memories and withhold judgment on the rest."
Sadness washes over her and a few more tears fall, but she nods. "Yeah, that makes sense. I'll try."
Fuck. It kills me to see her cry. I swallow the last of my burger. Annabel is too distraught to notice I've eaten three days' worth of food in three minutes.
"Come 'ere," I order gruffly, and hold out a hand. She unfolds from her seat and takes shelter in my arms. Her weight in my lap feels so good, so right. She sniffs a little, and I rub her back. "I've got you. Let it out."
Her hands fist in my shirt as she sobs and shudders against me. The monster inside me howls silently, suffering right along with our mate. I keep still, willing the predator within to calmness. If the monster had its way, it'd be on a rampage, killing and hunting in response to our mate's pain. I take big lungfuls of her scent until the need for violence washes away, leaving only Annabel.
When she sits up again, my shirt is wet from her tears. Her eyes are red, and her hair tickles my nose.
She's never looked more beautiful.
I've been running from who I am, my feelings, my pain for most of my life. Ironic that as soon as I accept what I've become, I'm given the greatest gift-a woman to love. A gift I can never accept. She deserves better than me. Another, better man who will treasure her and keep her safe. Will he fight alongside her and comfort her like this? The thought makes my monster rage within the bars of its cage. My muscles tremble with the desire to shift. I grit my teeth and fight it back. It's getting harder to keep control.
The longer I stay with her, the more danger Annabel is in. I better leave soon while the only price she'll pay is a few tears. If I wait too long, the price will be higher. I can't risk the monster hurting her... or worse.
I won't let that happen. I will leave before I hurt Annabel even if it destroys everything we have together. The meat in my stomach sours at the thought, and the monster howls with loss.
Soon, but not tonight. I hold Annabel tighter, and savor this precious moment, knowing everything I've ever wanted in is in my arms.
Annabel
CHARLIE DRIVES to the National Mall where we walk the moonlit expanse of pathways and grass in front of the Smithsonian Museums.
You would think after wolfing down three hamburgers he'd be moving slow, but it's like he still has energy to burn. I wonder how fast a field agent's metabolism runs. Twice the normal person's? Three times?
Getting to know Charlie Dune as a man, not just a super agent is just as thrilling as watching him in super agent action. Every minute I spend with him deepens my interest, increases my desire.
As terrifying as this whole adventure is, I don't want it to end.
Because I know when it does, Dune and I will have to part ways.
Of course, I don't even know if going back to our old jobs, our old lives is a possibility. Have we both gone too far off the rails to be allowed back in?
Charlie interlaces his fingers between mine like we're a couple-boyfriend-girlfriend. I like it way too much.
"So, what now?" I ask even though this is really my mission. Still, I need Charlie to tell me what to do. I'm in way over my head now.
"What do you want to do, Annabel?"
I knew he'd ask, yet I'm still at a loss. "I don't know," I sigh. "What do you think?"
Charlie's quiet for a long moment. "If it were me? Honestly? I'd keep digging. Something doesn't smell right with all of this. But if you want it to end, if you want to go back to your job and put this chapter behind you, I think we can still negotiate our way back. It's up to you."
I suck in a breath. "I've far exceeded my favor with you."
He stops walking and turns me to face him. "This isn't about the favor. You must know that. I'm here for you, Annabel. There's no way in hell I'm going to let you or the people you love get hurt." He shrugs his muscled shoulders. "It's pretty clear-cut for me. As long as you're still in, I'm in."