Page 42 of Final Drive

“Ms. Callahan.” Her voice carries across the bay, bright and professional. “I was hoping I’d catch you. A few follow-up questions about that feature.”

Every bit of the easy energy in the building goes out of it. Gray straightens with the oar still in his hand. Beckett stops mid-sentence. Even Zane goes still.

“I told you I’d think about it,” I say. “I haven’t decided.”

“This isn’t about the feature anymore.” She comes toward us, heels loud on the wooden floor. “I’m working on a different story.”

Bo moves closer without making a thing of it. Jackson does the same on my other side, and the bond flares with heat that has nothing to do with wanting.

Kowalski notices. Of course she does.

“What story?” Gray asks.

“One involving your coxswain and the team.” She takes out her phone. “I’ve been sent footage from earlier this season that raises questions about the nature of those relationships.”

My stomach drops.

“What footage?” Eli asks.

“Why don’t I show you?”

She turns the screen around.

The image is small and instantly recognizable. A restaurant table with the whole team in frame, but the angle is on me between Tyler and Beckett. I remember working to keep my face still that night. I thought I’d managed it. In the frozen frame my lips are parted, my shoulders too rigid, Tyler and Beckett both angled toward me.

Maybe nobody else would know what they’re looking at.

I do.

I can’t do anything except stare at my own face in a moment I believed was private.

“Taken in March, I’m told,” Kowalski says. “A team dinner after a regatta. There’s video as well.”

“Where did you get that?” Beckett’s voice could take skin off.

“Anonymous source.”

“Convenient.”

“It’s standard.” Her attention shifts back to me. “Ms. Callahan, are you in a romantic or sexual relationship with members of this crew?”

Gray steps between us. “That’s enough.”

Kowalski doesn’t even look at him. “You don’t have to answer.”

“She’s not answering anything,” Gray says.

“That’s her decision.”

“Then ask me,” I say.

Every man around me goes still.

Kowalski meets my eyes. “Are you bonded to members of the team?”

I say nothing.

Her gaze flicks to Jackson, Beckett, then Zane.