Page 91 of Trust No One

“Mmm,” she murmured without opening her eyes. “Like the way it smells. ‘Cause it smells like you, Dev.” She sucked in a deep breath, as if trying to hold him inside her.

His heart squeezed, but he reminded himself Mel was drugged. That she didn’t know what she was saying. Probably would deny saying it when she sobered up.

He reached out to touch her cheek. Smoothed one finger over her soft skin. Let it linger for a moment, then drew it away. He wasn’t about to take advantage of Mel’s defenselessness.

“Don’t want you to be cold,” he whispered.

One side of her mouth curled up. “You always kept me warm in Kabul,” she said, her mouth tripping over the words. “Liked to put my feet on your legs. Your hairy calves tickled my soles.”

His arm tightened around her shoulders. Mel Melbourne never talked like this, even back in the day when they were a couple. He liked this softer side of her, although he hated that she was so vulnerable. He knew Mel would hate being vulnerable, too.

Maybe, if they had a chance for a future, they both needed to be more vulnerable.

Huh.

He tightened his fingers on Mel’s shoulder, then relaxed them. This wasnotthe time to be thinking about that shit.

After a quick stop at a hospital on the route, Mel slept on his shoulder the rest of the way to the hotel. When they got to the parking lot, Gideon parked as close to the door as he could get. Then he swiveled in his seat. “You gonna need help getting Mel up to her room?”

Dev tightened his grip on her shoulder, as if Gideon would try to snatch her away from him. “I’ve got her, Gideon,” he said, swallowing a harsh retort. “But thanks. If you could get the doors, that would help.”

“Got it,” Gideon said. He slid out of the car and opened Dev’s door. Dev unbuckled Mel’s seatbelt, then drew her to the edge of the seat. Got out and lifted her into his arms. Adjusted her so that her head rested in the crook of his arm, then squeezed her tightly against him. She was lighter than the gear he used to carry.

Gideon held the doors and called the elevator. When they got to their floor, he stopped in front of Mel’s door. Dev shook his head. “I have no idea where Mel’s key is. My key is in my wallet. Left front pocket,” he said. “I’ll go in through my room and use the adjoining door.”

“Okay,” Gideon said. He slid his hand into Dev’s pocket and pulled out his wallet. Removed the key card and opened the door. He waited until Dev had set Mel on the bed, then he came into the room.

“I know there’re loose ends to tie up, but I’m gonna leave those to you and Mel. I was on a case and missed seeing Alex before I came here, and we’ve been apart too long. I‘m booking a flight back to Chicago. I need to get back to her.”

The yearning in Gideon’s expression made Dev swallow the lump in his throat. Gideon was a lucky bastard.He’dnever felt like that about a woman – like he’d die if he couldn’t see her. Was there something wrong with him?

He stared down at Mel, sleeping on his bed, and curled his fingers into his palms. He had a lot to think about.

Gideon stared at him, and Dev realized he hadn’t responded. He nodded hastily. “That’s fine. I’m not sure what we’ll need to wrap up here, but we’ll be heading back to Montana soon.”

Gideon punched him lightly on the shoulder. “The three of us make a good team,” he said. “We should work together more often.”

“Yeah, we should,” Dev said, clenching his teeth. There would be no working with Gideon again. No working with Mel, either. Their deal had been this one last job. One and done. He’d promised her that he’d walk away when they’d dealt with Kingsley, and now he’d have to follow through.

He glanced down at her. Walking away was going to be the hardest damn thing he’d ever done.

Gideon finally stepped away. “Let me know what you guys want tonight,” he said. “If you just want to be alone, I’m fine with that. If you want dinner, I’ll fetch it. Say the word.”

“Jesus, Wolf,” Dev said. “We’ll be fine. It’s not like we’re a couple of two-year-olds.”

“’Course you’re not,” Gideon said. “But an experience like Mel had? That leaves a scar.” A shadow passed over his face, and Dev remembered the ordeal he and Alex had faced.

“Yeah, I guess you’d know,” Dev said quietly.

“Take whatever time you need,” Gideon said. “And take care of Mel.” He nodded at her on the bed. “I don’t care what she says. If she’s not a lot better by the time she wakes up, take her back to the hospital.”

“Don’t worry. I already figured that out.” He cleared his throat. “You’ll let me know when you need a ride to the airport?”

“Hell, no,” Gideon said. “You stay here and take care of Mel. I’m gonna book the first flight available. I won’t drag you out of bed before dawn. I’ll catch a Lyft to the airport.”

“You sure?” He would have taken Gideon to the airport, but he really didn’t want to leave Mel.

“Positive.” Gideon pulled him into a man hug, slapping him on the back, then stepping away. “Take care of her. And let her take care of you,” he said. “I’ll catch you back in Montana.”

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