Page 44 of Burn for Me

“I heard a voice!”

“Damn it, Sam, use your bloody words!”

“Get me, Moe!” I bite out, my impatience rising.

“Give me an answer!”Caspian snaps back. I know I shouldn't be demanding anything from my superior, but I’m running out of time, and my mind is fried.

“On it.”Sharkie intervenes. I flick my gaze back to my little devil and gently place my hand on the nape of her neck, brushing my thumb over the pulse point to keep her head up. I need her to stay awake; she has no choice.

“I’m sorry.” Jasmine murmurs, causing my brows to furrow and my grip to tighten reflexively around her neck. Why the hell is she apologizing?

The street lamps begin to flicker as they pass over the car's hood, but I slow my speed to the limit, allowing myself enough time to assess our situation.

“You said you guys didn't need me tonight.”Moe's voice is distant, but I’m relieved to hear it. He knows just as much as I do at this point. He can get through walls faster than Caspian and get me the answers I need.

“Moe!” Jasmine exclaims.

“Sam, you should let her rest. There's no telling what they gave her or what reactions she'll have even with the antidote. It can make her delirious or irritable.”Sharkie sighs.

“You always sound so grumpy.” Jasmine purrs.

“Run a sweep of the hotel. Locate every camera and microphone on the premises.” I demand. Jasmine shifts and runs her hands over her face.

“Just spit it out. Sam, what's the problem?”Caspian breaks through.

“Besides my wife being fucking poisoned as some sick test of our loyalty to people we don't fucking know?” I bite out but draw in a deep breath, trying to calm the red spots in my vision. “I don't know if we have one yet, but we're damn close to something. Too many eyes are looking in our direction. We got awonderfulintroduction from the restaurant host and, surprisingly, the hotel's owner.”

Jasmine giggles, and I roll my eyes as she breaks into laughter.

“Watch your tone, soldier.”

I swallow.

“Uh.. Sam.”Moe clears his throat so his following words come out strong and collected.“Yesterday, when we swept, it was clear in all the rooms. I did a sweep last night, and it was cleanbesides the regulated security precautions, but I'm getting pings in at least eight different rooms now.”

“What does that mean?” Jasmine murmurs, her voice still hoarse, but her giggles sobered a little. I gently squeeze her nape once more.

“All pings are rooms of the people attending the ball. If I disconnect yours, I'll raise alarms, but I'm sure I can mess with the audio to try and at least make your voices muffled. They can blame it on a technical error.”Moe murmurs.

I stare at the hotel as it comes into sight, and my knuckles turn white against the steering wheel.

“Yeah, do that, but it still means the only place we can keep in contact is the car if it doesn’t get bugged next. That’s not the best scenario since we’re going out tomorrow night.” I wince when something jabs at my throat and quickly look at Jasmine, who is studying me with furrowed brows.

“That’s new…” she whispers, poking at what I believe is the vein that protrudes when I’m feeling overwhelmed.

“You got backup?”Caspian asks, and I try to tilt my head away to focus on my response.

“Yes, sir.”

Jasmine huffs, and her touch leaves my skin.

“We will watch you two as much as possible.”

The car gently comes to a stop, and I loosen my grip on Jasmine's neck.

She’s still dizzy and out of it, so I slide my fingers through her hair and gently pull the device from her ear, repeating the motion with my own. Her soft hum of contentment is enough to calm me, if only a little.

Tucking the devices into my pocket, I round the car and lift her out bridal style, nuzzling my nose into her hair as her head falls against my chest.

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