Page 65 of The FBI Agents Who Stole Me

“At least I’m not the one brooding in the dark outside.”

I almost smile. Almost make a joke about her watching me. Instead, I ask what is burning inside my soul.

“Do you still love him?”

I need to know. If I can’t get out of this, at least she will have Julian. I’ll find a way for them to be together even if she’s behind bars. Or if I am.

She turns slowly. “What?”

“Julian.” My voice stays even. “Do you?”

Her jaw tightens. “You lost the right to know anything about me when you broke things off with me,” she scoffs. “Honestly, what kind of question is that?”

“A simple one.”

She studies me like she’s trying to decide what I’m actually asking.

“Yes.”

“And me?”

Her breath hitches when I step closer. God, I want to run my hands in her hair. Drag her to her knees, make her open those pouty lips for me and remind her who she belongs to. Rebrand her and remove traces of him.

I can’t. He’s etched in her.

But what about me?

“No. You’re an asshole.” Her lip wobbles, and I almost fall at her feet and beg for her love. Before I can, she says, “It’s complicated.”

My grin splits my face.

“Complicated,” I repeat. “Well, that’s not a no.”

She steps closer.

“Why are we doing this? I’ve agreed not to kill you. At least not until I know exactly what you told them about me. I think that is proof enough how I feel. Now, let’s get to business. You need to brief me on what you uncovered so we can cross-reference your files with her journal and what Julian figured out about the drug.”

We are doing this because they will use me to get to her if I let them. Because I can’t be the reason she dies. I’ll give my life first.

I don’t say any of that, and the silence stretches between us.

She searches my face like she’s looking for anything to make me the good guy. I’m not sure if I should let her think I am.

What would be the point, if we don’t get to be together at the end of this? Is it better to push her away now? Or pull her in and love her for the next three days before it all ends?

“Was any of it real?” she asks.

I look past her shoulder instead of into her eyes.

“It shouldn’t have happened.”

I feel her flinch.

That was cruel. I meant it to be. I lied to her, but she lied too.

“But how could I be in your vicinity without falling completely in love with you?” My voice roughens before I can stop it. “My love for you has always been real.”

She drags her bottom lip between her teeth. I fight the urge to bite it.