Take - Page 84

“Okay, thank you. Yes, that will be wonderful.”

I ended the call and spun to face Reath. I clapped my hands together. “Great news!”

He sipped his coffee. “I would never have guessed.”

I poked my tongue out at him. He was sitting at the end of the table, dressed all in black, and looking far too gorgeous.

A shimmer of…something I refused to look too closely at moved through me. For now, Reath Fury was mine to touch. And I was going to take advantage of it.

I moved over behind him and draped my arms over his shoulders, then nibbled at his ear. “So, DARPA is going to organize a secure lab for me.”

His face didn’t change. I circled and sat beside him. “You’re unhappy?”

“I want you to get back to work…”

“But? I hear a but.”

“I want you safe more. Where Auclair can’t get to you.”

“This is DARPA, Reath. The lab they’re proposing is a former CDC lab here in New Orleans that isn’t being used anymore. They’ll provide security.”

Reath grunted.

I grabbed his hand. “Come with me and make sure it’s safe.”

He eyed me. “I wasn’t letting you go alone. I’m also going to leave one of my men there, too.”

“Okay. Deal.” I’d do anything I could to get back to work. I popped to my feet. “I’m going to shower and change. The lab is near Belle Chasse naval base, in some sort of secure building.”

He gave me a faint smile. I guess my excitement was rubbing off on him.

I leaned down and smacked a kiss to his lips. As I pulled back, he hauled me closer and gave me a far longer, more thorough kiss.

When I straightened, I was a little lightheaded. These Fury brothers sure packed a punch.

His smile was smug this time. “Go. Once you’re ready, I’ll take you to see this lab.”

36

FRANKIE

Isat in the passenger seat of Reath’s fancy electric SUV as we drove out of New Orleans.

We’d crossed over the Crescent City Connection bridge that spanned the Mississippi. The city had given way to less populated areas, then finally, wetlands areas and bush.

“We’re farther out than I’d like,” Reath grumbled from the driver’s seat.

“But it’s secure.” I touched his thigh. “And I have a brown belt in judo, remember?”

“And too much courage.” He pressed his hand over mine.

“I also have my lucky pin.” I pointed to the monkey pinned to my shirt.

Reath didn’t look convinced.

Finally, he turned down an unmarked driveway and a moment later, I saw a gate. There were two men in jeans, looking very casual and relaxed, standing at the gate.

“Good,” Reath said. “They aren’t drawing any attention to themselves or the facility.”