I feared he would say that. I had figured as much, but actually hearing it put things in perspective. "That's what I thought. I have no clue why he would have taken interest in my case."
"Has anything changed lately?"
"You mean other than Lex was murdered and Mason got out of prison on a technicality?" I took a swig of my own beer. "Nope, I would say that's about it."
Callahan whistled. "No wonder you've taken up day drinking. That is a shit week."
"Oh and I forgot one more thing. I walked out of the bathroom this morning to find Anita and one of her teammates in my bedroom. Apparently breaking into my home is becoming a pattern of hers."
"What did she want this time?"
"Sylvia's getting a little too close to figuring out who Anita is, and she's not happy about it. Advised me it was best if I told my partner to back off."
"Is that what you're going to do?"
The million-dollar question. Before today, I would've told Sylvia to stop. I knew what Anita was capable of. I’d experienced firsthand the punishment Anita dished out. And there was no doubt in my mind her promise that nothing good would come from digging too deep would come true.
But the more time I spent with Anita, the more I wanted to know. And now after watching her come and seeing the look in her eyes when she exploded? Yeah, I definitely wanted more of that.
Her scent lingered on my fingers, and I was tempted to take a whiff. I wanted to be surrounded by it. To soak it into my skin so I had it with me always. One hit was all it took to become addicted.
"Yeah, I think so. I don't need Sylvia messed up in that. I was an idiot for telling her in the first place, knowing what Anita is capable of."
"It sounds like you are in awe of Anita. When did that happen?"
I stared down into my pint like it might have the answers I seek.
"I fucked up today." I watched as the condensation trailed down the glass. The cold beer sweating from sitting out in the room-temperature bar.
"How so?"
I met my old partner's gaze. "Do you remember when we first met Anita?"
Callahan nodded his head. "One of the first things you said was how gorgeous she was despite her pissed-off facialexpression. It wasn't until she spoke that you changed your mind."
"It wasn't so much that I changed my mind. I just assumed she hated me, and she said as much when Mason took off."
"Okay? And how does that relate to today's fuckup?"
"I crossed a line I never should've crossed." I didn't add that I liked it and would probably cross it again if given the chance.
Callahan rubbed his chin. "Well, that's not where I thought this conversation was going." He took a large swig. "You do realize she works in the gray area of the law, right? I mean we don't have any evidence to prove she breaks some laws, but I think it's pretty damn obvious."
"I know. I think it's safe to say all logic went out the window once my dick got involved."
"Let me ask you something. Is it just your dick involved or something else?"
The old man was a hell of a lot calmer than I expected him to be. I thought for sure he would've been reading me the riot act. Or maybe that was what I hoped would happen. I needed someone to tell me I was acting stupid and putting my career on the line.
"Not just my dick," I admitted quietly.
Callahan clapped me on the shoulder. "I'm going to tell you something, and I know you're not going to like it, but I want you to hear me out."
I glanced up at him.
"You were never meant for the FBI."
I was startled by his abrupt admission. Joining the FBI was all I ever wanted. Knowing I was helping people on a national level made me feel good. "I don't understand what you're saying."
