Hot in the City

by Samantha Hunter

  “A message, perhaps? Could be Derian is panicked, and letting his people know he’s not backing down?”

  “Perhaps, but I don’t think she’s knowingly involved. She was genuinely surprised, afraid. If she’s in this, she’s being used in some way.”

  It had cut deep to have to look Della in the eye and pretend like he knew nothing when she admitted she felt as if she had been followed. It had been difficult to let her think someone was after her, especially when he was the one doing the following. But he couldn’t tell her the truth. Increasingly, he wanted to, though. He’d come close, that night at her apartment.

  “That brings us to the change in your mission. We still want Derian. If you think Dr. Clark is the best lead we have on him, then stick with her. See if she draws him out.”

  Gabe stiffened at the suggestion. “Wait...you want to use Della, Dr. Clark, as bait? She’s a civilian, Bart—”

  “We’ve used civilians before.”

  “With their knowledge and consent. Della has given neither. I should read her in.”

  “Absolutely not. If you’re wrong, she’ll tip off Derian. If you’re right, she could blow the whole thing. You stick with her and see if he shows. Or any of his men. He might not do his own dirty work, I imagine.”

  “At this point, we don’t even know for sure that he’s there, and with the formula out of play, maybe he’s gone.”

  “No, he wouldn’t leave without scorching the earth behind him. If it’s not her, maybe it’s someone close to her, someone she knows. This is the angle now. We want Derian, that’s the mission.”

  Gabe closed his eyes. “If we get him, we can find out who he was working for.”

  “Bingo. And if the good doctor can help us with that, then consider her in protective custody. Yours.”

  There was a pause, and Gabe said, “And if it turns out she’s not involved? What if he’s not the one after her?”

  “No harm, no foul. You pack up, come back, get your next assignment.”

  “How long?”

  “If Derian is going to make a move, he’s going to make it sooner than later. I’ll give it until the end of the week. If he doesn’t make a move by then, then you’re back here, new assignment.”

  Bart hung up and Gabe was left staring at the phone. He badly wanted to hit something, anger and frustration a knot in his gut.

  He’d been lying to Della all of this time, and now he had to knowingly put her in the path of danger? Use her again? Without her knowledge?

  At least he could keep her safe—and he would. But only for this week? What about after that? His stomach went sour at the thought, but Bart was right. He’d done it before, but this was Della. This was different.

  And yet, he really had no choice. Derian was a dangerous criminal, and if he was anywhere near Della, or behind what had been happening to her, Gabe was going to make sure he was between the terrorist and her. He couldn’t be there to protect Janet, but he’d be damned if he would walk away from Della before he knew—completely—that she was safe.

  He left the office, thinking about how to approach Della now that his job was, in fact, her. He’d promised Della he wouldn’t let anyone hurt her, and it was a promise he intended to keep. He could continue to follow her, when she thought he was working, but that left a bad taste in his mouth, knowing how vulnerable she felt.

  She’d mentioned a morning meeting at the university—that even though it wasn’t the school term, professors still had administration. She’d promised not to leave the campus until he returned.

  Looking out the eighth-story window at the sun blazing down on the pavement, he watched people trudging along through the intense heat. They’d predicted over-the-top temperatures for the entire weekend.

  With that thought, an idea formed.

  He could keep a close eye on Della while potentially taking her out of the line of danger for a few days if they went out of town. Both of them could use a break.

  Or, another way to look at it was that if someone was keeping tabs on her, other than him, then that person would be a lot easier to spot outside of the city.

  Gabe’s mind was made up. He did some internet searches, made a few phone calls and set out to meet Della at the university.

  Anticipation lightened his step, even though he was still technically on the job. He couldn’t let his guard down—Derian could appear at anytime—but he couldn’t help but look forward to more time with Della.

  He grabbed a cab, not wanting to wait for a train, and new energy filled him as he walked across the quad toward Della’s building. But as he crossed the large quad, he saw her in conversation with a tall man, longish hair, muscular build. The guy was standing far too close, in Gabe’s estimation. Della stepped back slightly, but the man drew closer.

  All of his senses went on alert, and Gabe’s walk changed to a jog as he approached them.

  “Della,” he said loudly, making both she and the man talking to her turn.

  “Gabe, hi,” she said, her expression clearly relieved when she saw him.

  Which meant whoever this guy was, he wasn’t welcome company.

  “Gabe, this is Steven. I mentioned him to you—he’s one of the teachers in my dance class,” she said, her tone overly polite, strained.

  Steven didn’t look happy and faced Gabe with a pointed glare.

  “We were talking,” he said rudely, turning away from Gabe.

  “I think that Della is done talking to you,” Gabe said smoothly, looking in her direction for confirmation. Steven didn’t bear any resemblance to Derian, but Gabe wasn’t taking any chances—the guy could be one of his associates, keeping an eye on Della.

  “Listen, buddy—”

  Gabe closed in. “I’m not your buddy, and you were just leaving. You will leave the lady alone, period.”

  Steven blustered, focusing on Della.

  “Does he speak for you now?”

  Della crossed her arms in front of her, but looked quite piqued.

  “No, but he’s right. I don’t have anything else to say. I’m not interested in dating you, and I meant that. I’m sorry.”

  “Apparently you’re just a tease,” Steven sneered, backing up and giving Gabe a dirty, but wary, glance as he stormed off.

  Della leaned back against the door, and only then did Gabe notice how pale and tired she looked. She’d had a hell of a couple of days, and suddenly he doubted his idea to take off for the weekend. Maybe she had things to do or wouldn’t appreciate his making plans for them.

  “I guess that’s the end of my dance lessons, which is fine with me, but still. What is going on in my life? People break into my apartment, and then Steven was waiting outside my office when I came out. He was just...lurking, and scared the life out of me. I thought he might be whoever chased me before.”

  “Do you think that’s possible?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know what to think, but he sure wasn’t as charming as he always was in class. What a creep. I didn’t call him back, so he decided to find me at work, he said. I walked him all the way down here hoping he would leave, but he just kept pushing, wanting to know why I didn’t come to class today, and when I would go out with him,” she said, shaking her head. “He said I was avoiding him. I was so glad to see you coming toward us I can’t even tell you how much. I was about to call campus security again.”

  “I’m glad I showed up at the right time. Are you sure you’re okay?”

  She nodded. “Just tired. And annoyed. I didn’t sleep so well last night, thinking about the break-in, and that I might have a stalker. Maybe I’m being overly harsh about Steven because of that, but he really freaked me out.”

  “You’re a nice person, Della, but you never need to be nice to a guy who can’t take no for an answer the first time.”

  She smiled weakly at him. “Thank you. I know. Anyway...it’s good to see you.”

  “You, too. I have the results from your apartment. Unfortunately, no prints or any leads. It m
ay well have been random vandalism.”

  “That’s so disconcerting.”

  “I know, but I promise I’ll keep looking into it.”

  “Thank you,” she said, squinting up at the sky. “It’s so hot. I knew they predicted a heat wave this weekend, but this is even more intense than I expected.”

  “Yeah, about that,” he said, feeling even less certain than he had earlier. “I was thinking...do you want to get out of town for the weekend? I rented a car and I thought maybe we could head upstate, into the mountains, where it will be cooler.”

  “What about your work?”

  “The investigation is winding down. I can take a few days off.”

  “Oh.” She broke eye contact, staring down at the sidewalk before shifting her gaze back to him. “Does that mean you’re leaving?”

  He knew what she meant, though her tone was neutral, pleasant. That this was the end of their affair. That the weekend away was a goodbye of sorts.

  In a way, he wished it was—that would be more honest.

  Gabe stepped in, put his hands on her shoulders, looking her square in the eye. “I’m not going anywhere until I know you’re safe. Promise. This weekend is just...a lark. I could use a break, too.”

  She smiled up at him. “Getting out of the city does sound lovely, but the break-in, and the mess... I should start cleaning it all up, and the wedding prep. It’s next Friday, you know. The bachelorette party is set, and they have planned the rehearsal dinner themselves, but I feel like I should be here in case Chloe needs me.”

  “She’d understand. It’s only a few days. Tell her you need to get away, but if she needs you, she can call or email.”

  Gabe let the front of his body brush hers, watched her cheeks flush from more than the heat of the day.

  “Three days alone, in the mountains, in a cabin. By a very cool, pretty lake. What do you say?”

  Della groaned, but the sparkle returned to her eyes and she nodded. “That sounds amazing. And I already have my bag packed at the room. When did you want to go?”

  “I have to pick up the car, then my bag, and we’re out of here. Let’s go by your place first? It’s only a four-hour drive upstate.”

  Her smile widened, and she planted a hand on his chest, biting her lip in an enticing way.

  “We’ll be all alone in a cabin by a lake, huh? What will there be to do for three days?”

  Gabe grinned back, leaning in closer to steal a kiss. “Oh, I’m sure we’ll think of something.”

  * * *

  DELLA WORKED OUT three times a week, or she tried to, anyway, but none of that had prepared her for hiking up the steep path they had chosen for their daily outing. No one would have guessed that the softly curved Adirondack Mountains would provide such a challenge. It hadn’t looked this steep from the bottom, but the copse of thick trees hid the real challenge.

  Of course, it could be that while she’d slept like the dead the night before, lulled by the cool mountain air, cricket songs and amazing sex, her physical activities and stress lately had taken a toll.

  That’s my excuse, and I’m sticking to it, she thought, smirking as she took in Gabe’s strong stride as he ambled along a few feet ahead of her. He wasn’t even breaking a sweat, though she imagined how hot he would look all sweaty, and felt a ripple of desire thrum through her.

  It only got stronger, the more time they spent together. Maybe that meant this weekend was a mistake, but for now, she didn’t care.

  Admiring the wide expanse of his back, and how it narrowed down to his lean hips and very cute backside, she couldn’t complain about the view as she pushed herself along. Then he stopped, pointing to a large, flat boulder shaded from the sun, looking out over the forest below.

  “I could use a break. Looks like a good spot for lunch?” he asked.

  “You won’t get an argument from me.” Della tried not to huff and puff her answer. Sitting down for a while sounded like heaven.

  They walked together to the spot, and Gabe swung off the backpack he’d volunteered to carry for them both like it weighed nothing at all. Handing her the blanket they’d brought from the cabin, she shook it out and made a place for them to sit.

  Gabe stood at the edge of the boulder and looked out over the wilderness, quiet for a moment as Della dove into the pack, retrieving the lunch they had had packed for them at one of the cafés in the local town. When he didn’t sit, she looked up.

  “You okay?”

  He turned, moving over to join her.

  “I’m great, sorry. Just was lost in thought. I forgot how much I love being out in the middle of nowhere like this. It’s like leaving the world behind.”

  “I know. I don’t get out of the city much, except to go to different cities, for work. A few times, I went with a group of friends to upstate farms in the fall for apples or pumpkins, and things like that, but not often. When you’re in the city, it can seem like you have everything you need, it’s all right there, except for this. Fresh air, open space...it’s wonderful. Thank you for arranging it,” she said, looking up into his face.

  His features were so relaxed. Happy, which made him even handsomer. And sexier. As a little ripple of heat moved through her, she sighed. She couldn’t seem to get enough of him.

  “You’re welcome. This food looks great, I’m starving. Let’s eat,” he said voraciously.

  “They really did give us a lot.” She noted the wide array of sandwiches, cheese, chips, fruit and drinks. “I think the café lady who was flirting with you packed a little extra.”

  “Good thing,” he said, digging into one of the sandwiches while Della ate some cheese and an apple.

  “Do you do this often, hike out in the mountains?”

  “I used to. We grew up in Denver, and the Rockies were our playground. My brother and I spent most of our time climbing or hiking from the time we were kids. My parents met on an expedition team climbing Kilimanjaro, so they raised us in the same tradition. In fact, they’re spending this summer in the Andes. It sounds pretty amazing, from their emails.”

  “Wow, I’m impressed. That explains why this is literally like a walk in the park for you while I’m barely keeping up.”

  “City girl,” he teased, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled at her. “You’re doing fine. I guess I missed it more than I thought. The air, the exercise. Work takes over. Maybe too much.”

  She nodded in agreement, her appetite spiking as she reached for more goodies.

  “My parents are more urban types,” she said in kind. “They travel widely, always did. Very focused on culture and history. They took me along when they could, but a lot of my time when I was young was focused on school.”

  “No siblings, I take it?”

  “Just me. Are you close with your brother?”

  Gabe’s expression turned strained. “We always have been, but not as much lately. My fault entirely. We haven’t seen each other for almost two years now, though we stay in touch on email, the occasional phone call. Still, he and his wife had a second baby last January, and I’ve only seen pictures.”

  Della reached over, put her hand on his arm. “You sound like you miss them. Don’t DHS agents get holidays off?”

  “Sure, but I didn’t take the time. Not for the past two holidays, anyway. There were...other things going on. I wasn’t in the right head space to be around family.”

  She sensed the mood had changed, and Gabe stopped eating, staring back out over the tree line.

  “Was that because the woman you were telling me about, the one you were involved with, died?”

  Della held her breath, hoping she wasn’t stepping over a line and possibly ruining their weekend, but she couldn’t help it. The question had been at the back of her thoughts since he’d brought it up before. Clearly it was an event that had moved him deeply.

  Several moments passed, and Gabe didn’t take his eyes off the view as he spoke. “About two years ago, yes. I guess I’d lost track of that, too, w
hich is what I intended. I just didn’t pay attention to anything else.”

  Della was quiet, hoping that would invite him to say more. She also didn’t want to push. Whatever he shared with her, it had to be his decision.

  “Her name was Janet, and we were partners since I started at the DHS. She had slightly more seniority. That she never let me forget,” he said with a rueful grin. “But I had a lot more experience.”

  “How long were you together?”

  “Three years. We only became lovers six months before she was killed. I suppose that wasn’t very long, but...it really pulled the rug out from under me. Maybe because we had history, or because I wasn’t there for her when she needed me. I couldn’t get my head around it for a long time, that she was gone. Even though she wasn’t the first person I knew who had been lost in the line of duty, it was...harder.”

  “She was special to you, so obviously it would be different. What happened? What do you mean that you weren’t there for her?”

  He leaned back on his elbow, looking at her now, blowing out a breath before he spoke again. His fingers absently played with a small stone he picked up.

  “We’d been following a money-laundering operation for a while, investigating bogus business fronts that were moving cash to terrorist cells in the US and other allied countries. We were gathering enough evidence to send in multi-agency strike teams, trying to follow the path to the source as far as we could. The goal was to get as many of the major players as possible. The people operating the businesses were small fish—we wanted the guys running the show.”

  Della nodded.

  “It was mostly background work, surveillance and research. Then my department sent me to Africa to help with a problem with an operation there, and there was no reason to think Janet couldn’t handle things here on her own. But then something broke, and they had a small window to get in and grab a major player who had suddenly shown up on the radar in D.C. She went in with the strike team, but things went bad. She was shot, fatally. And that was that. I didn’t even know she was gone until I was on my way home. I almost missed the funeral,” he said, his voice low, soft. Laced with regret.