Page 19 of Pack Coffey

He's nodding as I'm about halfway through. "Good thinking. The press gets a lot of their information from us, especially when it's an ongoing investigation. However, they do get tips, and they're not allowed to share those. It might spook their informants or spies. Whatever you want to call them."

"You don't like the press much, do you?" I ask.

"Not really," he admits. "Henry? He's a good man. Proud to have him in my pack. The rest of the buffoons he works with? Not so much. They've got no loyalty or integrity. They'd sell their own mothers for a good story."

We fall silent for a few minutes. Glancing out the window, I watch the highway go by as we head into the city, deciding it's now or never. "Saint, I'm sorry I tried to kiss you last weekend. I should've never attempted to overstep those boundaries. If for no other reason than putting the case in jeopardy."

His teeth clench hard before he finally replies, "You don't have to apologize for that."

After another long pause, he adds, "You were drunk. I wasn't going to take advantage of you and have you regret it the next morning. Otherwise, I would've risked it all."

My heart thumps hard in my chest. So, he wasn't rejecting me like I thought, but that still doesn't change the fact that we have a case to solve before we can do anything about this.

"Lawrence told me yesterday that the pack wants to court me," I say, throwing it out there to see what he has to say about it.

His eyes flick over to me. "How do you feel about that?"

I answer his question with one of my own. "How do you?"

"I've already told you," he says softly. "I'd risk it all."

Turning to face him completely, I wait until he glances over again. "So would I."

By the time we make it to Henry's building, I'm not sure if our conversation has helped or made things worse. Because, no, I don't feel rejected anymore. But what are we supposed to do about it? Nothing. That's almost harder than anything.

He pulls up to the curb at the front. "Go to the front desk there and ask to see Henry. I'd go in with you, but the badge and all."

I go to get out and he grabs my hand closest to him. He brings his to his lips and presses a soft kiss against it.

Yep. Definitely harder now.

Clearing my throat quietly before I can speak, I tell him, "I might be in here for a while. You don't have to wait. I'll get a cab or something home. Thank you for bringing me."

"You're welcome," he replies. "But don't take a cab home. Ask Henry for a ride. It'll give him a reason to finally get out of there for a little while."

"Okay," I promise, stepping out.

I see the reflection of his SUV in the glass on the front of the building until I'm walking inside. When I turn around, he's gone. Taking a deep breath, I make my way over to the desk and do as Saint said, asking for Henry. The man in a security uniform tells me to take a seat and makes a phone call, mentioning Henry's name.

It's not but a few minutes later before he's stepping off the elevator in the corner. I've never realized just how attractive a well-dressed man is until this moment. His black pressed slacks are tight around his thighs and go great with the hunter-green Henley that truly sets his eyes off. His dark hair is different from Lawrence's as much as it is the same. Opposite colors. Samelength and waves.

"Darci?" he asks, curiously.

"Hey," I wave a hand, standing to walk over to him.

He leans down and kisses my cheek, taking my hand and pulling me over to the elevator. Waiting until we've stepped on, he apologizes, "I'm sorry I crossed boundaries just now. We have spies everywhere, and I don't want someone thinking the worst. Not that I mind at all, but I'm surprised to see you here."

I explain what I've been thinking about all morning, and he nods as I finish. We've still got two more floors to go before we stop. I step into his space and go up on my toes to press my lips against his cheek, his long, dark hair tickling my face as I do. It's a bold move considering I haven't personally spoken with him about the courting. Only using what Lawrence and Saint have both said. It appears that I don't have anything to worry about as he tucks me closer to his body and his expression softens.

"It's a good idea. I'll see what we can find for you," he says right before the elevator dings, telling us to get off.

Henry tows us through his work space that's setup with desks all looking exactly the same. It's almost like something off a mind-bending sci-fi show. All facing the same way. All white with the same black desk chairs. All stacked high in papers. We get a few curious glances our way and one woman actually stops mid-stride to watch us walk by, her mouth hanging agape.

"Why are people looking at us funny?" I ask once we finally make it to an office and he closes the door behind us.

He closes the blinds over the window looking out into the office as he answers, "I've never brought anyone here. Not even my packmates. I don't like combining work and personal life. Even my informants don't come up here, and no one is allowed in here. Ever."

"You mean that I'm the first one to set foot in themysteriously alluring Henry Upton's office?" I tease, dragging a finger down the side of his clean desk. The space smells clean, like he's telling the truth and no one is ever in here. New bookstore is all I can pick up, and it's relaxing. I can't recall how many times bookstores became my safe space. Now here I am, bringing popcorn to the bookstore party.

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