Page 38 of Tactically Acquired

Spence. Spencer. I really didn’t give a shit. I wanted to take a piss and get this shit over with. The sooner we got back to the safe house, the sooner I could lock myself in a room and smother myself with a pillow and not think about Audrey yawning.

“You’re thinking about it again, aren’t you?” Thumper whispered in my ear.

I slammed my elbow back into his stomach and took off across the parking lot toward the entrance with Audrey and Spencer on my heels. I quickly cleared the station, and when I didn’t see any threats, I nodded to the back where the restrooms were located.

“I go in first.”

Audrey’s large blue eyes shot up, and for the first time since I jumped into her vehicle, I finally allowed myself to look at her again. Like…really fucking look at her. And damn…she was every bit as tempting as she was in that fucking picture. And those eyes…I thought maybe they wouldn’t be as bright in person, but they were. If anything, it was worse. I felt like if I stared too long, I’d be drawn into some kind of hypnotic trance with no hope of escape.

“Well?” she asked, staring at me expectantly.

“Well, what?”

“You said you were going in first.”

Shit, I had said that. And instead, I was standing here staring at her. I probably looked like every other asshole who couldn’t take his eyes off her.

“Right. Just stay here. I’ll only be a second.”

I shoved the door open and cleared both stalls before allowing her to enter. Then I did the same for the men’s restroom. I figured I had at least two minutes before she was done in the bathroom, so I took the opportunity to use the restroom. There wouldn’t be another stop until we reached the safe house, and there was no way I could wait until then.

Spencer nodded to me as we both stood at the sinks. “I don’t suppose you have another shirt I could wear.”

“Actually, I do.”

“I would be very grateful for a new one. The smell is only making my situation worse.”

I smirked at him. “I don’t doubt it. Give me a minute. I’ll be right back.”

I stepped out of the bathroom and pushed the ladies’ restroom door open to check on Audrey, but it looked empty.

“Audrey?”

There was no answer. I quickly walked around the station, but there was no sign of her. She fucking walked out without me. I hustled back to the bathroom and shoved the door open. “Spencer! Let’s go.”

He didn’t ask any questions at my command. He hustled to the door and raced after me and out the front door. I scanned the whole parking lot in my rush to the vehicle, but didn’t see any sign of her. Logic dictated that she would already be inside the vehicle, but then Thumper would have messaged me.

“Thumper!”

His gaze jerked up and when he saw only Spencer with me, his jaw dropped. “Shit.”

11

AUDREY

I stepped out of the stall and nearly ran into a brick wall. “Oh, sorr?—”

There was a man standing in front of me. I didn’t even need to be looking at him to feel the creepiness coming off him in waves.

“The men’s restroom is across the hall.”

He grabbed my arm and yanked me toward the door. “You’re coming with me.”

“Wait! I haven’t washed my hands!”

But he didn’t care. He jerked the door open and pulled me through, keeping his grip tight around my arm. “Keep your mouth shut and I won’t put a bullet in your head.”

I sighed heavily. “This is so unsanitary. You know, you’re lucky I didn’t pee on my hands.”

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