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If he was getting a partner, he wanted someone green. It was imperative that he or she saw Carter in the senior role. It wasn’t pride, it was survival. Decisions had to be made quickly while in the field, and he needed a partner who listened and followed his lead. Arrogant? Probably, but he’d seen the power tug-of-war many teams have, and he didn’t have time to fight every battle they faced... so Vanessa, or Nessa, was made his partner years earlier.
Gwen believed Nessa had a crush on him—a little idol worship—and perhaps she did. Carter, however, saw a newly assigned agent who wanted to please him.
“You know,” Gwen said as she snuggled up to him one night after their lovemaking.
“If I was a jealous person, I might have to confront your little shadow.”
Chuckling, he pulled her up so she was lying on top of him, eye to eye.
“And you’re not jealous?” he asked as he ran his fingers lightly down her exposed back.
She kissed his jaw and whispered, “Nope.”
“Good, because you have no reason to be. I am your little shadow.”
“You do know that shadows don’t actually follow you. I mean, it’s just a phenomenon of where the light source may have different angles. If you really think about it, depending on the angle where the light source is the strongest, you could possibly have multiple shadows... not a shared one.”
Carter smacked her backside. “Okay, brainiac. You knew what I meant.” He rubbed away the sting. “I’m thinking we need to explore this different angle. I might be able to give you multiple shadows.”
“I think we have to, for the name of science. No hypothesis can be proven without a little experimenting.”
“And I love to experiment,” Carter said right before he flipped Gwen on her back. Staring into her translucent orbs, he whispered. “God, I love you. How did I get so lucky?”
“I casted a spell on you.”
“One I never want broken.” Carter remembered that night as clearly as if it had happened yesterday. Only it had been in the early years of their marriage. He still couldn’t rationalize why their bond had been torn apart. Why had she broken their spell? Why had she wanted him dead?
He very well could live the rest of his life without truly understanding the answers, but he needed to ask, even if he’d die a little more when she told him.
CHAPTERSIX
“Get comfortable,” Steve said, handing her a keycard, giving Voodoo access to the apartment and the ECP offices below.
“I really hate putting you out.”
“It’s not a problem. When Ivy called and gave me the details, well, let’s just say, I understand why you needed to get away. Your husband won’t be able to get access to you. Not only would he have to gain access to a highly secured facility, but he’d also have to get past your self-proclaimed bodyguard, Bench.”
Voodoo had worked with several ECP operatives over the years, but her time with the team in Japan years earlier, had brought her closer to Bench, Gunny, and Dodger.
“I don’t think many get past the moody brick house.”
“You’re right... not many, but Avery did.”
“I can’t wait to hear how that happened.”
“It’s quite the story, one that’s best told by her.”
“Gotcha.” Voodoo understood more than most the need to protect the secrets between lovers. She’d once thought she knew all of Carter’s secrets. It could’ve been one of those secrets that made him hell-bent on ending her life.
“Enjoy your stay. You are free to come and go as you please. You also have access to our office below. If you need anything, Anna’s number is on the bar. She runs our office now since her daughters are in school. Rescuing her and Jesse has benefited our office more than any of us had expected.”
Voodoo remembered all too well their rescue mission by ECP. She’d not met them at the time, but was amazed by the efficiency and skill of their operatives.
“Will do. Thanks again, Steve. You’ll never understand how much I appreciate you taking me in.”
“Don’t give it another thought. Besides, we have the shared motorcycle club case we’re working on. Being here will actually help us move on with this mission. It’s dragging out and stalling. We want the tainted marijuana off the streets and the players involved captured, charged, or eliminated.”
“I agree. Let me finish getting settled and I can be down there in thirty minutes.”
