Page 46 of His Forbidden Alliance

“So give me your word that we’ll work together to bring Ivanov down, then we’ll go our separate ways, with no consequences to either of us.”

Rafe held my gaze for a moment, then looked away. “This is insane. You should go and stay the hell away from the casino.”

“I should do a lot of things, but I rarely listen to shoulds, and I don’t think you do either.”

He laughed, but the sound was bitter. “No, I really don’t.” He ran his good hand through his hair. “I need a shower. I’m… I just need…”

He needed space. He still wasn’t fully himself after nearly being killed twice in one night. How the hell could he be? “Go shower. I’ll be here when you’re done.”

I sank my teeth into my lower lip as I watched him walk away. Damn, he was hot. His ass was perfection. I wanted to order him back. To fuck him again. I really did think I could fuck him for hours.

I had to sink into one of his kitchen chairs as I remembered how much better the reality of Rafe was from the fantasy. And it had been a good fantasy. I’d come hard and fast, but the reality of it, of having him on his knees, of pinning him to the counter and taking him as hard as I wanted to, was beyond anything I could have thought up. The way he acted like a slut one minute, then fought for control made me crazy. And the way he let me do anything I wanted, like he had to prove himself, might undo me.

I let my head drop back against and replayed the memory of Rafe begging me and the look in his eyes as he came. I was hard again and tempted to go join him in the shower, but somehow, I had enough functioning brain cells to stay where I was and let him have his space.

I pulled my phone out and saw message after message, as well as a few missed calls, all from Maria. I didn’t want her sending somebody looking for me, so I texted her back.

I’m alive. I’m onto something. I’ll get back to you when it’s a civilized hour.

Her response came faster than it should have at this hour. No. Call now.

I considered ignoring her, but her patience wasn’t endless.

I was in so much trouble. I’d gone off the rails before, but never like this. I wasn’t going to tell her nearly everything, but I’d have to confess at least part of what had happened tonight. She’d likely seen something about the explosion already. Would she assume I was involved?

No matter what she said, I was going to keep working with Rafe. And fucking him.

Maybe I should quit now. Maria had to know I wasn’t going to last much longer. I’d put up with government nonsense for as long as I could, and it was only getting worse. I couldn’t work undercover if I had no autonomy, but I wanted to bring Ivanov down before I left the bureau. I needed to finish my career with that accomplishment. I’d been working toward it for too long. I had to remind myself that was why I was here with Rafe. He was my way to more information. This wasn’t real. No matter how good it felt. I was just playing a role.

Right. I could almost make myself believe that. Except… there was absolutely no reason for me to fuck Rafe to work with him. I could have kept my hands off him and still gotten what I needed. I didn’t like admitting that, so I pushed the thought away, hid it in an old dusty file in the back of my brain, and hoped it wouldn’t come out again.

I’d reconsider everything later, after I left here.

Later was going to suck almost as much as this call.

I listened for the sound of the shower, making sure Rafe wouldn’t be able to hear me, and then I blew out a breath and made the call.

“What the fuck is going on with you?” Maria asked.

“I’m working on a lead.”

“Does that lead have to do with the explosion at Rafael Theriot’s house?”

Fuck. “Not directly.”

“Where are you?”

“Working on a lead.”

“I’m about ten seconds from pulling you off this assignment. It’s time to start answering honestly.”

“You should get some sleep. Then you wouldn’t be so cranky.”

“Nine. Eight. Sev⁠—”

“I went to the casino and saw Andretti. He followed Rafael, and I followed both of them.”

“And?”