Page 105 of Volatile Waters

His arms around my shoulders tightened. “You already guessed it, once.”

An agent.I refused to open my eyes. I wanted to stay hidden. Did this mean we were automatic enemies? Did the truth wash away the relationship we had built? “What kind?”

He whispered into my hair. “FBI.”

I held on tighter, our bliss fading away. All I could do was tease. “Not a handsome doctor? They make more money.”

He chuckled, accepting my attempt at humor. “No. I’m not a big moneymaker, but I was a medic before switching fields, if that helps with the handsome part.”

Blindly, my mouth found his. Wolf let me kiss him. Hard.

Once I calmed down, I asked, “Why has your team not come for you?”

Adoringly, he forced a smile. “Because I was kidnapped while off the clock.” Then he gave up the ruse. “They must have been frantically searching, clueless to where I am.”

“Off the clock? You knew we were coming?”

His leg laid over my hip as if to prevent me from running. “You were set up. My would-be owner was trying to avoid a hefty prison sentence for tax evasion. He made a deal. Told prosecutors about how he had recently been told how to buy a slave. Not that he was searching, of course.” Wolf rolled his eyes, knowing the man was lying.

“Of course.”

“That’s how we got involved. My office thought it was a bogus lead. We wired him while he talked to some guy,” he tapped me on my nose, “but you were so elusive during the conversation, we figured you were just trying to rip him off.”

“My guard was up. I had asked my father if it was a set-up the night he sent me to meet the man.” I pointed to my stomach between us. “It felt wrong.”

His thumb ran over my lips as if he were lost in thought. “Why would God give a terrorist such gut instincts?” I winced at his comment but let it go. It was the truth. “You’re brave to accept your past.”

“Are you just as brave? Can you handle what I have done?”

Staring at me, he appeared pained by his answer before he even said it. “Only time will tell. I’ve never been out of these walls with you.”

Kissing his arm, I nodded. Neither of us knew how we would be together, living outside of the walls that caged us. “How much do you know about me?”

He sounded dumbfounded. “Nothing. You were just some ghost named Yury. Your organization has been off our radar, even after the billionaire squealed. As I said, we didn’t believe you were anything other than a crook. We had no idea of the depth of this league you were in.” He exhaled. “I don’t know what my team knows now.”

“They still haven’t found you.”

“Or any of your other victims here.”

Yes, being out in the open together would be quite a challenge, if we were ever to get the chance. “How were you chosen to be my bait?”

“I volunteered.”

My eyes widened. “Why?”

“It’s a horrible crime, stealing lives. If there was a chance you were real, and we could penetrate an organization, I was game. We made up a trail, but it wasn’t real. That’s why, once you actually had me, I was terrified you would retaliate. I have no idea how you found some innocent little girl we made up.”

I confessed, “We didn’t, I but knew you would believe us after,” I looked down, “after teaching you a lesson with—” I waited for him to fill in the blanks.

His eyes welled. “My FBI partner.”

I nodded. He had started to call her “partner” before catching himself that night I showed him the video. “I’m sorry.”

He slowly shook his head. “That is one I can’t forgive. The only reason I could be near you after that was because you weren’t there. I want to believe you wouldn’t have—”

I softly spoke, “Then you are a fool.”

Mesmerized, he stared at me. “How do you have me so twisted?”

Soberly, I exhaled. “I locked you away from everything you know.” I touched his face where he needed to shave. “As much as you may believe I deserve prison time, and as much as you may be correct, I’m not going. This is something you need to know.”

He wiped his fingers through my hair. “You behind bars—” He closed his eyes and shook his head. “Don’t let them catch you.”

I sounded weak but tried to reassure him, “This ghost has a plan. My best disappearing act yet.”

Wolf swallowed. “Will I ever see you again?”

My throat tightened. “I do not see how, with your profession.” I kissed his lips again. “Can I teach you a phone number?”

He smirked while lifting a flirty brow. “Phone sex?”

Laughter burst from me. “Wasn’t what I had in mind, but sounds great.” I grabbed my chest. “Will you help her? If I am killed?”

His eyes softened. “Of course, Jorian.”

With that promise, I taught him the cell number of a phone I was now never going to lose. I thought maybe, just maybe, someday, he would use it, find me, and be back in my arms.

It was a beautiful dream.