Lost and Found (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten #2)(61)

She was a law-abiding woman. It was in her nature.

Robert chuckled, though there was little humor in it. “Maybe that’s what Levi’s angling for. If the Canadians call the Americans in, he can operate freely and take Dr. Walsh back to the States and force her to do god knows what, all with the blessing of the CIA and the president. President Hayes can’t ignore a request from Canada.”

“I hate Levi Green,” Tucker said sullenly.

“Put that aside for now,” Theo insisted. “If we’re going to get that material and sneak it out under Green’s nose, we need you close to her. But if you think it could actually work between the two of you, I want you to consider backing off or talking to Ezra about potentially making the gamble and bringing her in.”

How the hell could it work between a brilliant scientist who was trying to cure a terrible disease and a man who’d fucked up so entirely it had cost him his memories? He had nothing to offer her, not even his past. “No, we’re not a good match, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like her. It doesn’t mean I want her hurt. But I think she knows it won’t work between us. She’s smart. She knows I’m a bad bet. That’s why she’s putting me in a box and taking me out when she wants to.”

“Because you’re giving her all the power,” Theo insisted.

“She’s got the right to say what she wants.” He couldn’t throw her over his shoulder and run away with her. No matter how much he wanted to.

“Are you giving her the option?” Theo asked. “Did you give her the option this morning? No. You got annoyed and your back was against the wall and you walked out. So give her the choice.”

“You want me to call her and ask her to go out with me instead?” He could do it. He had to find a way to not beg the woman, but maybe he could manage it.

A slow smile spread across Theo’s face. “Nope. We’re going to do something much more fun. A woman likes a grand gesture. What I’m thinking of isn’t so much a gesture as it is a really cool entrance. It’s a bit theatrical, but if you play it right, then even if she turns you down, she won’t be thinking about the guy she’s out with.”

Music thudded from the hallway, a bouncy pop song starting to play.

He looked up and Erin was holding out a phone, the volume turned up to dance party levels.

Theo’s eyes narrowed on his wife.

“Well, it’s time for the makeover, right?” Erin asked, her lips curled up in a mischievous grin. “You need music for your makeover. You can giggle and talk fashion and maybe get a mani pedi, and I’ll follow you around so you have a soundtrack. Theo’s phone is full of Taylor Swift and Kelly Clarkson. Was that Ariana Grande I spied on your playlist? We’ve got your girl-power jam right here for hours, buddy.”

Theo stood slowly, his shoulders squaring. “Gentlemen, I’m going to have a talk with my wife. I’ll be back in a second. Well, maybe not in a second. This might take some time.” He stalked toward her before turning briefly. “But she’s right about the makeover. Sort of. We’ll talk about it when I finish disciplining my incredibly smartass sub.”

Theo chased his wife down the hall, her laughter ringing through the place.

God, he loved the way Becca laughed.

Maybe Theo was right. He hadn’t asked her this morning if she wanted to spend the day with him. He hadn’t given them enough time to bring the subject up. He’d left her alone to deal with Carter and the police. Not exactly the signs of a man who was interested in altering their bargain.

There was nothing in their agreement that said he couldn’t try to lure her away from some other guy.

She’d seemed disappointed when he’d reminded her of her date this morning. There had been a moment when hurt had flared in her eyes, but he’d dismissed it because he’d been hurt, too. He was acting like a jealous boy, not a bloody operative. If he wanted her in his bed, he would have to work for it, tempt her into it.

Theo thought he needed to make an entrance. He might be able to do that. “Do you guys want to help me with a project?”

Robert frowned. “You really want a makeover? Like we go through your clothes and stuff?”

He rolled his eyes. Bugger all. “No, I want to go down and talk to a bloke about a motorbike. I can’t get to my clothes. Two Taggarts are likely already fucking on my bed. They better change the sheets.”

Robert nodded. “See, that’s how I felt about the island. Could they make sure they clean that? Or burn it down? Sure, let’s go out and talk about a new plan. I don’t know that I can listen to more fucking. I’ll get dressed.”

Tucker sighed. “I’ll join you, but can we use the elevator? My quads are killing me, man. Have you seen them? They’re getting huge. Every day on this op is leg day. What’s up with that?”

Owen groaned, but his mind was spinning.

She wanted a bad boy? He could give her that. After all, it was practically his profession.





Chapter Eleven





She was going to murder Cathy. She was a doctor. She could do it about a hundred different ways. It didn’t have to be painful, but she was going to make sure Cathy never set up another human being again.

Because she was terrible at it.

“Well, I told her she didn’t get Lacey for both Thanksgiving and Christmas,” he said, glancing up from his menu. “It’s not fair. Our custody agreement clearly states that we split holidays, and she already had Lacey for Victoria Day.”