ChapterFourteen
Beau
Gigi was happy to have us back at the cabin.She immediately brought over her bone pull toy, and I indulged her in a game of tug of war.She growled, and the whole back half of her body wagged as she attempted to get the bone away from me.
Kayla had disappeared into her bedroom as soon as we got back, making our sudden return feel even more abrupt.We were basically on house arrest now, the only reason either of us were permitted to set foot outside of this cabin was to accompany Gigi on her business trips.
Amelia’s revelation of her fan encounter hadn’t seemed that alarming, but it did bear similarities to Kayla’s stalker.I wanted to think Barrett was overreacting.That we couldn’t have possibly been tracked to this remote town nestled in the middle of Sawtooth Forest.
More than that, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d fucked this up.All I had to do was make sure Kayla Mitchell stayed inside this cabin.I literally had one job.
It wasn’t that I let my feelings for Kayla get in the way—although there was no denying it was a factor.I let my restlessness get the best of me.I understood why these four walls were too small for her.I championed her idea to go to this party—not because I had a crush on her, but because I thought she might be the only one who could get the information out of Amelia that we needed.
Now, we’d been totally cut out of the investigation.When Kayla had asked Barrett if he’d still be using her in the undercover missions, and he’d said he’d let her know.
I’d bounce back from this fuck up—but I didn’t want her to feel like she’d failed.Furthest thing from it.Finding Amelia in that massive crowd had been no small feat.And even in disguise, she’d managed to gain Amelia’s trust and get the information we needed.I had a feeling today would be pivotal in solving this case.
Then why does it feel like shit?my bear asked as I gave the bone one last good tug before letting Gigi take the victory.
She pranced into the middle of the living room, her tail still wagging as she settled in with the bone.
“Oh, Rudolf’s going to be jealous.”Kayla’s voice startled me out of my pity party.“Or completely relieved he’s not getting chewed on.”
“Rudolf’s a glutton for punishment,” I said.Apparently I was too, because every time this woman appeared, somehow I became more smitten with her.All traces of her disguise had vanished.She was bare faced, with her hair piled on top of her head.She wore an oversized T-shirt and bike shorts.
Fucking gorgeous.
She settled on the couch, tucking her legs in close to her body, and picked up her tablet.
There was no doubt she was disappointed, but I had a sinking feeling it was more than that.I could live with her being pissed at me, or Sawtooth Security, but I wouldn’t be able to tolerate her thinking we’d failed.
She was absorbed in the screen, invisible walls up, and my bear hated it.I was full of restless energy, which felt dangerous without an outlet.
Stop acting like this is only about work, my bear chided me.You’re upset because you don’t know where you stand with Kayla after this.
He was right, and I needed to bear up and solve the fucking problem.But if I did, I risked the chance that our fake relationship had been tossed away as quickly as her disguise.
“It’s a shame there was all that food and we didn’t get to eat,” she finally said.“I was looking forward to seeing you kick some ass in that chili competition.”
“We’ve got some chili in the fridge, if you want some.”
“Maybe later.”She placed the tablet beside her.“So, I have to ask—what did Brad pull you away for?”
“Nothing you couldn’t have heard,” I rumbled.It had crossed my mind more than once that things would’ve gone differently if we hadn’t been separated.Which was ridiculous, because it didn’t change Amelia’s experience.But maybe, with the two of us together, the surveillance equipment would’ve worked better, and Barrett and Bellamy wouldn’t have panicked when Kayla brought Amelia to the parking lot.
Kayla raised a brow.“Do you think he was trying to pull rank on you?”
“Possibly.”
She shrugged.“Maybe he’s jealous you have such a pivotal role in this investigation and he’s just the messenger.”
My bear snickered.She just opened the door…
If I’d learned anything today, it was to not take anything for granted.
“Speaking of the case, and today,” I said, joining her on the couch.“I’m bummed I didn’t get to pretend to be your boyfriend.”
“You did for a couple minutes.”She gave me a smile that had way too much pity in it.
