The look he shot her was a combination of irritation and confusion. She held up a finger to silence him before he could put either into words, though. Without much hope, she tapped one finger to her ear to indicate listeners.
Brows drawn together, he gave the room a sweeping glance. He grimaced, then leaned one shoulder against the wall next to the door, rolled his eyes, then said in a natural tone, Blondie, you prove to me you like it enough and Ill buy you a flashy piece of glitter before the weekends over.
Clever. Danita kept her face angled to hide her grin. So he wasnt just a pretty-faced liar. He was a smart pretty-faced liar. Who knew?
Whatll it take to get me two bits of glitter? she asked, her words low and teasing. As she asked, she carefully unzipped the outer lining of her purse to show a clever array of electronic toys. She chose a wand the size of a ballpoint pen, sliding it from its case.
Maybe the two of us on that bed with a bowl of whipped cream and cherries, followed by a hot-oil tango in the shower, he deadpanned, not shifting from his spot holding up the wall.
The image was so easy to imagine. The two of them, naked on that four-poster bed, rolling over the wedding-ring quilt. Their bodies slick and hot. Desire was like a wave, hitting her hard and fast and damned near sweeping her feet out from under her. Since opening the window to let in cool air would tip him off, she sucked in a discreet breath and forced herself to focus on the job.
And to pretend her hand wasnt shaking.
Like a phone addict looking for cell reception, she ran the tiny wand around the room. It wasnt until she reached the bedside table that the light on the end flashed red. With a warning look at Gabriel, she crouched down and ran her fingers along the side and back of the rich wood. Underneath, she found it. A tiny round bug. She aimed the wand at it and pushed a button. The red light turned green. Deactivated.
She found two more. One in the phone. And disgustingly, the other in the bathroom just behind the toilet lid. And deactivated both.
She slipped the wand back into its felt case.
Gabriel, still leaning against the wall like he was bored, arched one brow.
She shook her head. She had complete faith that the FBI was a few technological steps ahead of whatever criminals were coming to party this weekend. But it didnt hurt to be careful.
So she pulled out a small device that looked like an MP3 player. Looking around the room, she decided the dresser was about as central as theyd get. She flicked a button on the device. The light glowed white for one second before flashing off. The room filled with a buzzing, then silenced.
White noise, she said, mentally slapping her hands together as she finished up. If they have other bugs thisll scramble them. The only way someones going to hear anything in here is if they are in the next room with a drinking glass against the wall.
Dont you worry that theyre going to be pissed that you broke their toys?
I didnt break them. I turned them off. She thought of the welcoming goon squad and shrugged. Theyll be irritated, but probably not surprised. Criminals are notoriously mistrusting.
You dont say.
Danita turned away, making a show of checking the view out the leaded glass window to hide her smile at his dry rejoinder. Smart, sexy and clever. That added up to an almost irresistible combination.
Before she could decide whether or not to share the smile, though, she saw two new goons patrolling the edge of the forest just beyond the manors emerald expanse of lawn. Even from this distance, she could see the outline of the submachine guns under their jackets.
She was on the job. Partnered with a criminal. And instead of focusing on the task at hand, she was trying to think of excuses to give in to the hot attraction flaming between them.
It wasnt the same as blowing off her responsibilities for a fifth of Jack and an ounce of weed, but it was too close to that line for Danitas comfort.
What a time for family resemblances to surface. Biting back a furious snarl, Danita pinned her gaze on the largest goon as if she could kick his butt just by glaring. Because her fury was aimed at her own past, and not the man standing behind her, she took a few seconds to get it under control.
Because while shed happily skewer Gabriel for being a cocky criminal who was crazy-lucky to not be in prison, she wasnt willing to take her own issues out on the guy.
Instead, she took three deep breaths and focused on the reminder that she wasnt her past. Life was about choices, and shed chosen to close the door on selfish irresponsibility.
And no cleverly sexy criminal was going to make her open it again.
With that in her mind and steel in her spine, she lifted her chin and turned back to the room.
I can see why youve been such a success as a criminal, she said, her words closed as tight as her expression. You must be the best liar Ive ever watched in action.
Blondie, thats only the tip of the iceberg. Anytime you want to see whats beneath that tip, you just say the word.
She didnt even bother to sigh. Men like you just cant resist pulling out your double entendres to play with, can you?
You have no idea what kind of man I am.
One of a kind, Im sure, she said in a deliberately bored tone. She was nice enough to turn away before rolling her eyes, though. Needing, desperately, to be busy, she pulled a tiny transmitter and a video camera the size of a safety pin out of yet another cubby in her purse.
Not quite. Apparently tired of waiting for her to finish her room inspection, he strode over to drop onto the bed. Kicking off his shoes, he spread out, arms crossed behind his head as he rested it on the whitewashed iron headboard.
Im a chip off the old block, he said as she surveyed the room. Not so much in looks, although my brother, sister and I do take after my dad quite a bit. We have our mothers eyes, though. But in personality? Talent? Skill? Im my old mans son, through and through. But you already know that, dont you?
Danita paused in the act of running her fingers along the top of the bathroom door frame to stare at him. You sound like youre proud of that.
Of course I am.
Your father is a known criminal. His FBI file is so thick it requires its own drawer. Hes rumored to have been involved in scams and cons on five continents, to have had his hand in three major art thefts and to have actually sold some idiot the Golden Gate Bridge. Even though she was the one reciting the list, she still shook her head in wonder. It was hard to believe someone could be suspected of all of that and so much more, yet nobody had ever been able to bust him. Ever. She gave Gabriel a baffled look. And youre proud of your similarities?
The mans the best there is. Why wouldnt I be proud?
Proud. She thought of the door closed tight against her own past and cringed. Why would either of them want to be aligned with their legacies?
So why arent you partnered up with him? Why have you been estranged for the past eight years?
His eyes narrowed with a frustrated fury that surprised her. Then he blinked and the fury was gone. But Danita wasnt surprised that he changed the subject.
Im going to head down to the car, he said. How long do you think youll be here playing Jane Bond?
Why are you going to the car? she asked slowly.
To get the rest of the luggage, of course, he said, slipping his feet back into shoes before giving her a smile that was part charm, part exasperation. Whats the worry? Youve got the keys right there, its not like I can go anywhere.
Eyes narrowed, Danita gave him a long look before nodding slowly. The head goon said your fellow criminals were all out and about, but just in case, try not to talk to anyone.
If anyone dares say more than hello, Ill brush them off. You know, tell them Im in a hurry to get back upstairs for a hot nooner, he tossed over his shoulder with a wicked grin.
With that smile seared in her mind and a gurgle of reluctant laughter lodged in her throat, he was gone.
GABRIEL REVELED IN the power of the Corvettes big block as it tore down the quiet country road.
It was crazy to be disappointed, but he had to admit, he was feeling a little let down. Hed just walked right out of that room, ditching Blondie with hardly any effort at all. Youd think a government-trained agent would be a little smarter. Her car had been in full view of the window, yet she hadnt noticed when hed boosted it. Or maybe she had and didnt want to blow their cover by chasing him down like an obsessive girlfriend.
He grinned at the image and wondered how long shed wait for him to return with the bag before she came looking, then shrugged. Didnt matter. She was pretty enough, and surprisingly not boring. But still, she wasnt his type.
Although hed love to know how a woman so uptight ended up playing the floozy. And damned if she didnt play an excellent one. Those big blue eyes wide and just a smidge vacant, her lips slick and glossy and that sexy body poured into just enough fabric to make a man sweat. All the while she gave the impression that she was worth every penny in the mans wallet she was grasping.
The memory of her lips under his flashed through his brain like lightning. And through his body like a raging thunderstorm. God, shed tasted good. Just thinking about her got him hot and hard.
Which was the last thing he needed, he reminded himself as he turned off the highway onto Main and downshifted the Vette to something closer to the speed limit.
Ten minutesand one quick sentimental drive around the townlater he parked his borrowed car in the town square and, one arm across the steering wheel, he looked around with a sigh.
It was the same. A tiny part of him, a part he rarely let see the light of day, relaxed as the warmth of his childhood hometown enveloped him in a welcoming hug.
Damn, hed forgotten how simply lovely Black Oak was.
Cobblestone walks and brick buildings. Antique lampposts and planter boxes just waiting for the warmth of spring. In the center of the square was a statue of town founder, Gabriels great-great-grandpa, Andrew Black. Curved iron benches surrounded the square, and in honor of the season, Valentines hearts decorated the flags waving from various buildings.
A man who rarely allowed sentiment to take hold, he had to smile at the beauty of it all. It was as though hed never left home.
Before he could get too gooey and emotional, there was a quick rap of knuckles on metal. His gaze flashed to his side-view mirror. A grin, wicked and wide, spread as he swung out of the car.
Well, well, he said as he leaned one arm on the door-jamb. What have we here?
Trouble, from the look of it, the other man said. Besides an extra inch in height and the really lousy haircut, it was almost like looking in a mirror. That fact had bothered Gabriel growing up.
It was damned hard to stand out within his family. Between his fathers rep, his brothers looks and his sisters brains, Gabriel had often wondered what was left for him. Part of why hed run, he knew. Hed never felt he measured up. Away, hed been able to find his own strengths, to choose his own priorities.
Youre still sneaking around pretending to be a bad guy? Gabriel asked, trying to keep the grin from splitting his face at the sight of his brother. God, itd been close to five years since hed laid eyes on Caleb, and thatd been a quick, accidental meeting since his brother had been undercover at the time.
I quit the DEA, Caleb said, leaning his hip against the Vette and crossing his arms over his chest and offering one of his long, intense looks.
And youre back home? The old man finally coaxed you into the fold, huh?
Calebs grin was just as wicked as Gabriels own. With nothing but a slight inclination of his head, he invited his younger brother to look over his shoulder.
Glancing past his brother, it was all Gabriel could do not to cry. He actually felt the tears welling up behind his eyes.
Say it aint so, he murmured with a pathetic shake of his head. Youre trying to kill us, arent you?
Caleb laughed, following his gaze to look at the sheriffs car parked behind the Vette. Once a rebel.
Yeah, but at least before you had the decency to rebel elsewhere. Now youve brought it home? You hate Dad that much?
Itd been bad enough when Caleb had come home right after college graduation to announce that he was joining the DEA.
At least thatd taken him away from California. But now he was back, rubbing his legal activities in Dads face day in and day out? And they thought Gabriel had issues?
Dad always said we all have to take our own path, Caleb said with a shrug.
I dont think he meant for those paths to cut his off at the pass.
He can take care of himself.
Gabriel considered his brothers face. Caleb had always had a very concrete sense of right and wrong, made all the more obvious since the rest of the familys was so fluid. Given the problems Hunter said were facing their father, which path would Caleb choose? The one that defended family, no matter what the evidence? Or the one that locked the cell door?
Maybe Dad can take care of himself, Gabriel acknowledged slowly. But hes got his blind spots. His kids being the main one.
The warning hovered for a long second. Then Caleb gave a shrug, as if batting it away. Youre awfully defensive of a man you havent bothered to see for yourself in almost a decade, he pointed out.
It was like getting hit in the face with a bagful of guilt. It wasnt as if hed abandoned his old, decrepit father in a sewer somewhere. Yes, hed left after an ugly fight, determined to prove himself. Sure, hed been pissed that Tobias had let some trampy bitch horn her way into the family business. But that wasnt a big deal, dammit. He wasnt ashamed of the vow, or the drama of it. He was irked that he hadnt kept it, though.
I swore I wouldnt come back until Id made my point, Gabriel muttered.
Tough luck, little brother. We all vowed to stay away and we all blew it. Might as well prepare to take Dads gloating like a man.
Like you took it?
Yep.
Calebs angry vow had been to never return to Black Oak and look at him now, all spiffed up and in charge of the towns law. Gabriel grinned, feeling a little better. Then the full impact of his brothers words sank in.
All of us? Mayas here, too? As he mentally watched the stakes climb higher and higher, the tension returned to Gabriels shoulders in tight knots. Sure, Hunter had threatened him with trouble for his dad, his brother and sister. But he hadnt realized they were all cozied up together here in Black Oak, easy targets to that trouble.