Cold & Deadly (Cold Justice: Crossfire #1)(80)

“I didn’t know Gino was incarcerated there until we arrived.” Her fingers tightened reflexively around the steering wheel. Facing Gino had been like facing one of her demons. Sure, she’d done it before in court, but that had been years ago.

Dominic remained silent. The quiet hum of the engine and weight of accusation filled the void.

Her fingers rubbed the steering wheel. “I never imagined I’d get actively involved with the negotiation.” Still he didn’t speak. “I know I should have told you, but I didn’t think it would make a difference.”

“It would have made a difference to me.” His words shook her as did the velvet tone of his voice. It wasn’t the voice he used during negotiations. It was the one he’d used when they’d had sex.

Her pulse skipped.

She took a right as the GPS indicated and started climbing the hills into a dark forest. “I never talk about it, Dominic. I can’t risk slipping up and condemning the rest of my family to death. That’s the first time I’ve acknowledged the truth in public since the trial.”

He shifted in the seat, the leather creaking. “Most of that crime family is in prison.”

“Because of me. And it only takes one. Or for them to pay someone.” She shook her head. “I couldn’t take that risk.”

“You could have trusted me.”

“I know I can trust you. I do trust you.” More than she wanted to admit. “At first, I worried if anyone found out I’d be off bodyguard duty and back on suspension,” she told him. “Then I tried to tell you several times but you were either busy or,” she cleared her throat, “we got distracted.”

He ignored the oblique reference to them getting naked. He folded his fingers in his lap. Her mouth went dry thinking about those fingers on her skin.

“Gino is gonna be searching for information on you again now.”

Her attention snapped back onto the threat that had shadowed her for her entire life. “I can look after myself. Should anyone in the FBI or prison service give the crime family information on me then at least my relatives aren’t connected to me in any of my official files. Van saw to that… And the Greek community is tight enough that we’ll know if someone starts asking questions.” A wave of cold hit her. “But I need to warn my family. Tell them to take extra precautions with their safety.” Which sucked. It would give her mother even more ammunition about ditching the FBI and coming home.

Those intelligent eyes of his were looking at her differently now. It took her a moment to recognize it was respect she was seeing there.

“No wonder you guys were so close.”

Her stomach knotted. “Van saved my life but more importantly, he taught me how to take my power back.”

“No wonder you wanted to be an agent.”

“Yeah.” She laughed. “Ask the mob what they fear most, and it’ll be RICO charges and the FBI. So being an agent is all I’ve ever wanted.” She was ripping off layers of armor for this man. She knew he wouldn’t return the favor. Maybe that’s why she pushed. “What made you join the FBI?”

On cue, he grimaced and looked away. Then he surprised her. “Pretty simple really. My father wanted me to become a partner in a big law firm.”

“So, your whole career is you sticking it to your dad?”

The smile caught her off guard. The sparkle in those blue eyes. “That’s how it started. Trying to prove he was wrong to push me down a certain path. But it turned out I loved it. Law bored the hell out of me, but being an FBI agent? The adrenaline rush, the danger, making a difference—that was a blast I couldn’t resist.” He rubbed his hand over his thigh. “Then proving that I got where I was on my own merit turned into a bit of an obsession. Van helped me not mess up too many times as a rookie. When you grow up with a silver spoon in your mouth turns out you have a target on your back.”

“I get it.”

“You do?” He sounded surprised.

“Sure, I do. Every good-looking woman has to prove she didn’t get where she was by shagging the boss.”

She expected him to laugh at her analogy, but he didn’t.

“Have people thought that about you?”

“In just about every job I’ve ever had. Even you thought I’d slept with Van.”

He ran his hand around his collar. “I’m an asshole, and I apologize.” There was a long pause. “What about us… Does sleeping together put you in an awkward position?”

She checked the GPS and took another turn. “It’s best if no one finds out. I mean if it were an actual long-term relationship that might be different. Other agents might still question any promotions I received, assuming I’m not fired”—her heart gave a painful squeeze—“but at least it would be something I’d be willing to deal with. But just for sex…” She shook her head. “I wouldn’t want anyone knowing.”

She risked a look at him, expecting him to look amused or mocking but instead he was grim-faced.

“I don’t want to jeopardize your career, Ava.”

“Then no one better find out we’re fucking each other.”

“They won’t hear it from me.” He finally gave her the assurance she’d thought she wanted to hear. But it rang hollow inside her.