Page 41 of Out of the Shadows

“No shit,” Xander added.

Rolling her eyes, she spoke over them. “As I was saying, Tiny, you’re a damn good hacker, and it would be a waste of your talent to have you scouring through video footage looking for a partial plate or facial rec.”

“Holy shit,” MacKay said, a world of disbelief in those two words. “Did she just compliment someone else’s hacking skills?”

Ridiculous. These guys were ridiculous.

“I said he was good, MacKay. Which he is.” She leaned back in her chair. “Though he’s still not as good as me.”

“Aaand there’s the cocky-ass Bean we all know and love!” Xander laughed.

“All right, guys,” Gavin said, retaking his seat beside her. “All we currently know is that Carmichael spotted the tail after he dropped us off at the Four Seasons. Lost him. Then picked him back up the moment we left the hotel. Cyber’s running their programs, so until we know more, we’re in a holding pattern. Reconvene at zero eight hundred tomorrow?”

Xander groaned. “Fine.”

“What?” Gavin asked. “You had plans?”

Xander rolled his eyes. “No, but I was going to spend my Sunday watching football like normal people.”

“Please,” Bean said. “Like we won’t have the games on inthe corner. Besides, Gavin’s bringing in breakfast for everyone.”

“I am?” His eyes went wide with surprise.

She simply stared at him until he cleared his throat.

“Right. I’ll get breakfast for everyone from Ray’s Diner.”

She smiled at the screens. “See, Tiny. You and MacKay should consider moving here. We get perks for working on a Sunday.”

Everyone said their goodbyes, and Bean cut their connection. Pushing back from her workstation, she rose and stretched with her hands high above her head. Glancing behind her, she cleared her throat.

Gavin’s eyes darted up from her legs. A blush tore over his cheeks as he ran a hand over the scruff on his jaw. “Sorry about that.”

The teasing glint in his eyes said he wasn’t really sorry.

She chuckled, then cleared her throat again as a flurry of nerves sprouted in her belly. “I know I promised I’d talk to you about that awkward meeting-my-mother thing, but I’m beat. Can I get a rain check?”

His teasing expression turned soft. Sweet. “Of course. I’ll head out.”

After he grabbed his tuxedo jacket, she followed him to the front door. Hopefully she could put off explaining her family dynamics to him for... Would forever be too much to ask for?

“Get some rest tonight, B. Like I said. It’ll be a long day tomorrow. And thanks again for coming with me tonight.”

She toed the red heels she’d left by the front door. They sure were pretty, not to mention much nicer to think about than her parents. “Well, thanks again for the shoes.” Glancing back at him, she sucked in a breath.

Gavin was standing close. Very close.

Her heart galloped when he brought his hand to her face.Cupping her jaw, he softly skimmed his thumb over the bruise near her eye that makeup no longer hid. “Still hurt?”

With her words lodged in her throat, she shook her head.

“Good.” She remained silent as he continued to study the bruise on her face, his thumb moving in a slow, hypnotic motion. “Aside from the car chase, getting shot at, and Constance’s wandering hands, I had fun with you tonight.”

A smile lifted her lips, and she finally found her voice. “I saved you from that woman, you know. You owe me. Big-time.”

He met her gaze. Lightness and heat warred in his steel-gray eyes. “Oh, I know.”

She held her breath as he leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Night, B.”

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