Charlie’s body language changes to slumpy. He gives his nose a swipe with the back of his hand. “I’m trainin’ her.” His voice inflection is totally different-like he’s bored and belligerent at once. “Otis didn’t have time.”
The guy gives us both a thorough look, one that has my stomach sinking to my shoes. Even if we get away in this moment, he’s going to remember both our faces. It will be simple to identify us.
“I don’t mind the training. Makes the job go faster. Working alone can get boring, you know.” Charlie rearranges his balls through his thick uniform and affects a gross nose sniff.
Disgust shows on the agent’s face. “Right. Well, get back to it, then.”
I purposely knock the mop over again, like I’m Clumserella and hurry to put it back on the cart. “Okay, where to now?”
Charlie lifts his chin at the next office over, and I wait for him to open it. We both go in, and he shuts the door. I stare at him with wide eyes.
He holds up a finger, watching the guy’s back retreat onto the elevator. As soon as it closes, we both exhale. Or maybe I exhale loud enough for both of us, I’m not sure.
“That was close. Do you think he’s suspicious?”
Charlie opens the door. “I don’t know. Let’s not stick around to find out.” He hustles me away.
I’m sure we’re going straight down to the parking lot, but Charlie takes the elevator upstairs, to another floor.
“Where are you going?” I follow him down the dark hall, biting my cheek, so I don’t complain about his excellent night vision. I can barely see until he stops in front of an office and goes in. “Oh no. Are you serious?”
The nameplate reads Director Edward Scape.
“Charlie,” I hiss as he moves around the murky shadows. “You can’t bug the Director’s office.”
Before I know it, he’s out. His kiss brushes my temple as he passes.
“Just did,” he murmurs.
We’re halfway to the elevator when it dings. Before the doors open, Charlie presses me up against a door and kisses the hell out of me. I push at him a little, realizing someone is coming down the hall toward us. Then Charlie’s tongue sweeps into my mouth, and I’m lost-lost, whimpering, and pressing against him as his length hardens against my thigh-
The lights cut on and I jump. Charlie releases my lips but keeps his hands on me, angling his body to block most of mine from the slick, suited security man standing nearby with an eyebrow raised.
Charlie flashes a charming smile. “Sorry, mate. Otis sent us on an errand and…” He glances back at me and heat shoots through my body, warming my cheeks. “I saw an opportunity and took it. Just got carried away.”
“Can I see some ID?”
Oh holy hell.
Charlie whips out a badge with his picture and some other guy’s name and flashes it. While the guy’s looking at it, Charlie does some sleight of hand and produces one for me, too.
I don’t breathe. Not one little wisp of air.
“You two need to move along, now,” the security man says. His brows are stern, but he looks like he’s fighting a smile. “Have a good night.”
Charlie cuts a suggestive glance at me. “I’ll try.” They share a little man-to-man smirk, and the guy walks away.
At that moment, I’m ready to jump Charlie’s bones.
Sexy super agent man-it turns me on to see how cool he is under all different circumstances.
CHARLIE
WE’RE ALMOST to the elevator when I realize I didn’t completely shut the Director’s door. The elevator is taking its sweet time coming up for us. It’s almost at our floor when the security guard sees the Director’s door, then glances back at us. He hesitates as if questioning his instincts. Two janitors, he’s never seen before, on a secure floor, and we only cleaned one office before leaving. He’s putting the pieces together. I see the moment we’re made.
“Hey,” the guy turns, drawing his gun at the same time. “Stop right there.”
Wide-eyed, Annabel raises her hands.
“Something wrong, man?” I ask, feigning surprise. He wouldn’t have a gun on us if he didn’t suspect something.
“Stay there,” he orders. “I’m going to check something.” Gun still trained on us, he pulls out a walkie-talkie. I can’t let him call this in.
I push Annabel behind the janitor cart.
“Freeze,” the guard shouts and drops the walkie-talkie.
Before he shoots, I’m down the hall. I grab his shooting arm just as the gun cracks.
Damn. Pain reverberates through my head-super sensitive hearing reacting to the gunshot. Behind the cart, Annabel squeals.
“Stay down,” I tell her, in between flipping the man over onto the ground, grabbing his gun, and breaking his arm with a crack.
The elevator dings. I can’t risk the doors opening, and someone sees this scene.
I’m back at Annabel’s side before the guy I hit slumps to the ground-lightning fast moves, another gift of the monster.
“This way.” I grab her hand and walk down the hall. The guy I hit is out-cracked his head on the floor when I flipped him. Otherwise, he would’ve screamed when I broke his bone. I wrap my untucked shirt around my hand to open the door and usher her into the stairwell. “Come on.”
We hurry down the stairs. I keep my hand on Annabel, steadying her as I reach for my comms unit.
“Otis,” my friend answers.
“We’ve been made. Shots fired. Call the police.”
“Roger.” Otis sounds calm.
Annabel wobbles and I scoop her up, increasing my speed. I’m tempted to just stand on the railing and jump down few remaining stories. With my newfound strength, I’d probably be fine.
I resist the urge, and when I reach the bottom, I set her down.
“That man,” Annabel whispers. “Is he dead?”
I check my memory-the guy’s chest rose and fell as we left. “He’ll be fine.”