Page 93 of Maddox

And nothing and no one was going to stop him from getting what he wanted.

CHAPTER 24

Maddox

The parking lot was clear, zero movement.

Exhaling, I pulled away from the window, unable to get a nagging feeling out of my mind.

“Are you okay?” she asked from behind me.

“I’m fine. I’m going to go take a shower,” I told her as she studied me while still relaxing in bed. Maybe I was a fool for taking my eye off the ball, but the connection had been too tight to break.

Or maybe I should say too fragile.

Slowly she rolled over to look at me, crowding the covers closer to her breasts. There’d been something magical about being with her even if I’d allowed my guard to fall. Having her in my arms had felt right, as if she belonged in them. Neither one of us had played this up as anything but what it was, a desperate need to feel alive, yet the passion had brought us even closer together.

That alone was dangerous and not merely as a distraction. Still, I remained cautious, heading to the single chair in the room and dragging it in front of the door. It was nothing but a mild attempt at keeping unwanted visitors from the room, but at least it gave me enough comfort to take a shower.

“I’m not going to be able to live a normal life. Am I?” she asked. I hated hearing the almost despondent tone in her voice, but at least she’d begun to understand the difficult position she was in.

“I’m not going to lie to you, Charmaine. You’ll always have a target unless every person involved is captured.”

“That won’t happen.”

“No, I don’t think it will.”

“I want you to keep the jump drive. Just in case. I’ll give you the name of my attorney. If something happens and you hear about it, send him a copy. Will you do that for me?”

Turning around, I looked at her. “Yeah, I’ll do that. You need to be careful what you say. There’s a chance no one knows you were provided with the information.”

She sat up, bending her legs and wrapping her arms around both. “I’ve thought of that. The FBI won’t like me stalemating them.”

“Fuck the Feds.”

“I thought you were a Navy man through and through.”

“I am, but that doesn’t mean I like what’s happening or that I believe everyone in the military or government is on the up and up.”

“True. Corruption is everywhere.”

I walked closer, raking my finger across the strand of hair on her face. “Which is why you need to keep yourself safe.”

“Any suggestions on how to do that? I doubt you’d allow me to hire you as my personal twenty-four/seven bodyguard.” While her laugh was strained, her voice lilted.

“You couldn’t pay me enough.” I smiled, teasing her. Money I didn’t need.

When she lowered the sheets, exposing her gorgeous body, I was forced to take a deep breath. “You sure about that, cowboy?”

“Don’t tempt me. Hear what I’m saying. Don’t go near the window.”

She plopped down on the pillows, pursing her lips together as she pouted. “You’re no fun.”

“No, I’m not.” I headed to the small bathroom, stopping before walking into the shower area. “You should consider the option of going into witness protection.”

“I can take care of myself. Don’t worry. I know how to shoot a gun.” Her laugh ceased when she realized I wasn’t laughing. “You’re serious.”

“It’s worth a thought.”

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