Page 36 of Targeted By Desire

“Trespassing? I’m not even on your property.”

She froze as my words processed in her head. Slowly, her eyes turned to the camera in the corner of her room. “You son of a bitch,” she snapped, storming towards it.

“Aht, aht, leave it alone. You’re still going to need them in case any break-ins happen. Matter of fact, I’ll leave a special message just for you.”

She stopped mid-step, her free hand curling into a frustrated claw. She was trying so hard to keep her composure, but I could see the anger bubbling inside her. I wished she’d let it go already. I’d love to see how she looks when she explodes.

Her shoulders rose and fell as she took a deep breath. I watched as she reigned herself in, a new wave of calm spilling over her. “I don’t want a message. I want a gift. Something physical to remember your presence.”

Damn, she was good. “I’ll think about it.”

Nodding, she retreated back to her bed. She sat atop the covers and curled her legs to her chest. “When will you be by?”

“Telling you would defeat the purpose of it being a surprise.”

“Right.” Wrapping an arm around her legs, she leaned her chin on her knees. “But, can I have a hint? It’ll help me sleep.”

“You’re safe, tonight,” I promised. “Now climb under the covers and get some rest.”

“Okay. Goodnight…wait, what should I call you? Seems rude to continue this relationship without knowing your name.”

“Goodnight, Agent Nichols,” I said, ignoring her question and hanging up the phone.

Simone stayed in the position for a few minutes, our conversation likely lingering in her mind.

When she finally moved, she set the phone back on the nightstand and slid back under the covers. She stared aimlessly in the darkness, her eyes slowly batting with every passing thought. With every blink, her eyelids hung lower and lower. After one, they didn’t open again. She’d finally fallen asleep.

Good. I’d have a present waiting for her tomorrow.

THE AGENT

“Hello? Earth to Simone,” Gabriel’s voice broke me out of the half-asleep trance I’d fallen into.

“Huh?” I asked, blinking back into reality. I tore my eyes away from the building we were surveilling and met Gabriel’s stitched brows of concern.

“Are you good?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I just didn’t sleep well last night.”

After the phone call last night, I was able to breathe a little easier and fall asleep. But his voice followed me into my dreams. Taunting me from afar. Luring me closer. Grabbing me in a hold I couldn’t escape.

No matter how many times I shook myself out of it, reminded myself it wasn’t real, the dream would just start itself over in a different font.

I’d painted concealer on the bags under my eyes and chugged down a large coffee before I started work this morning. Today was my first time in the field since Lorenzo’s death. I needed to look functional, so Logan wouldn’t throw me back on desk duty.

Being out and about was good for me. It’d distract me from the bullshit with my so-called “secret admirer.”

I was already pissed at the fact he’d called my phone, but knowing he had the audacity to hack in my cameras and watch me without shame was infuriating. I couldn’t wait to lock his ass up - make him realize how valuable privacy really is.

Gabriel turned his attention away from me as some chatter came through the speakers. Earlier in the week, Gabriel came by with other agents to bug the place. He and I have been following this renowned arms dealer for a little while now, tracking his activity and collecting evidence against us. This was yet another deal we’d discovered. Another page in his growing file.

The dealer’s voice, deep and gruff, was familiar, but his tone wasn’t. Usually, he was very cold and straightforward. Today, there was a warmth in his voice as he explained in great detail the weapons he was able to supply.

Gabriel and I exchanged at a glance, confused by the change.

Then, we heard a woman’s voice respond to him. Soft and raspy, she cooed a short compliment.

“A female buyer?” Gabriel asked, his brow raising.