Aaron never looked back as he grabbed his well-used Bible—a prop that had come by mail after they’d arrived. He headed out the door. Man, what a difference a few days made. He was ready and eager to bring this church down.
Kreed couldn’t deny Aaron had done an outstanding job. Seven hours into the day and Aaron had made it to every computer in the place. He’d moved so swiftly and so casually that Kreed wasn’t completely certain of what Aaron had accomplished until Connors team gave the occasional “atta boy” into the earpiece. Aaron had managed to place listening devices all over the administrative offices, including inside the pastor’s personal cellphone. That had caused a round of back-patting from DC, because Aaron had subtly had the pastor hand him the phone. Aaron skillfully added the device right there in the open while listening to Bible verses being tossed his way and the angry pastor standing directly in front of him.
Aaron Stuart was damn good at this sneaking around shit. Kreed sat back from the monitor where he’d been stationed all day long and scrubbed a hand over his face. Aaron was too good at all this… Like he’d done this before. Keeping his eyes on the monitor, Kreed silenced his connection with the bureau and called Mitch. His buddy picked up on the first ring.
“Skinner get a hold of you?” Kreed asked when Mitch answered.
“Last night. He was looking for you.”
Kreed didn’t respond or acknowledge that statement. The less his partner knew about him and Aaron, the better. Knox had made his thoughts more than clear where he and Stuart were concerned.
“What do you know about Stuart?” Kreed asked.
“Why do you wanna know?” Mitch shot back. Great, they were playing twenty questions, and Mitch was still defensive about the kid.
“Don’t be a pain in the ass, Knox.” Kreed leaned back in his chair.
“That’s what I do…” Silence held between them as Kreed kept a constant eye on everything he could see from Aaron’s angle. He’d just wait Knox out. It took longer than expected. “I met him online in a Call of Duty chat room like years ago. He was active and on and knew his shit, so we built a friendship.”
“Hmmm. When was he hired with NSA?” Kreed asked.
“I don’t remember. It was a year or so after that,” Mitch answered.
“But he had a record,” Kreed replied. That had always been the weird part about Aaron getting hired.
“It wasn’t a solid record. It was like a fraternity prank…maybe. The government hired him to test their systems in place of sending him to prison. I helped where I could in giving him credibility,” Mitch added.
“Hmmm…”
“Why, Sinacola? Is he rogue?” There was a small amount of confusion in Mitch’s voice, but he could tell by Mitch’s tone that his long-time partner was having a hard time believing those words he’d just asked.
“No. I don’t think so. Actually, not at all. He’s given too much to this case, but there’s something going on. He’s just very smooth for someone that’s never done this before.”
“Really? Are you watching?” Mitch asked.
“Every move he makes.” There was silence between the both of them. “I heard some chatter today that you were possibly going out in public tonight.”
“Yeah, it’s firmed up. We’re puttin’ on a big show, taking Cody out on the town. Keep an eye on Aaron, Sinacola,” Mitch said. Kreed nodded as if Mitch could see him. He’d heard they were enlisting Mitch and Cody to help try and flush these guys out, get them so riled that they might make an error. Aaron’s thoroughness in wiring that office today helped. Skinner had to be getting some solid intel if he were to the point of baiting.
“Watch yourself. I’m hanging up now,” Kreed said and turned the volume back up on the feed he shared with Connors. They hadn’t really spoken in hours, but he wanted direct access if they were able to get the IT manager talking.
His eyes stayed on the screen. Aaron hadn’t mastered going to the bathroom yet. He couldn’t quite keep covered while unzipping and freeing himself. Kreed smiled a little while turning away to give the guy some privacy. He thought over what Mitch told him and waited a minute or two after he heard the flush before he turned back.
Aaron washed and dried his hands before checking his appearance. To Kreed, he looked fine. Actually more than fine and he smiled at the screen. Seconds later, Aaron’s eyes dropped down to the cross on his shirt and he gave a small smile back. There was absolutely no way that the kid could have known what Kreed had just done, but it felt personal and the sweet gesture made Kreed smile bigger.
“Watch your six,” he said to the monitor.
“What?” It wasn’t Connors’s voice, but someone on the other end, causing Kreed to look down at the small box in the corner of his screen.
“Nothing.” Kreed shook his head, momentarily forgetting he wasn’t alone. “I wanna blow by blow of Knox. There better be an army watching them.”
Several seconds went by before Connors answered. “There is. I wasn’t so much into that plan, but I’ve seen the surveillance following them. Brody Masters is heading it up himself tonight. I know you worked with him before.”
“Yeah,” Kreed said. He liked Brody. They’d worked together for years, and it did ease some of the concern he had. He just wished he could be there himself to have Mitch’s back, but his loyalties were divided now. He had Aaron to consider. He watched on the monitor as Aaron walked back into the IT office. The kid sat at his assigned desk, which happened to be catty-cornered to a wall mirror. He could see Aaron’s reflection perfectly. Aaron meant something to him, and for the first time, Kreed couldn’t immediately blame all these soft sentiments on the sex, although that was amazing. The problem? He and Aaron connected outside of sex, which meant so much more.
Besides that, this case stressed him the fuck out. He palmed his phone and pulled up the contacts to send Brody a quick message, telling him to watch that group closely, since he couldn’t be there. He got an immediate text back assuring him they were set. Kreed had to let it go and let the process play out. It was already so personal before he ever factored in the relationships he had with all the people involved in bringing this cell down. Kreed rolled his shoulders, trying to force the tension from his neck and back. God, he hoped this would all be over soon.
Chapter 22
Aaron kicked back at the desk in his bedroom, the keyboard propped in his lap. He was almost done helping his buddy. He’d completed as much as he could for the night, and now he was just tinkering around, surfing the web. In reality, his sole focus rested on listening to the activity across the hall.
Disappointment had swamped him when Kreed had sat parked inside the study directly across from his bedroom since the time he’d gotten off work. After a while, Aaron managed to find things to keep himself busy. After the initial moment of sadness when Aaron realized the night wasn’t theirs, he decided to catch up on a few projects he’d put off. Kreed kept his distance and stayed in the study. Since this little fucked-up town had three Subways, two Whataburgers, about a million pizza places and not much else, Aaron ordered in pizza and left Kreed alone. Kreed’s whole demeanor radiated intensity. His total concentration was focused on Mitch and Cody.
It hadn’t taken long for Aaron to open a link for Kreed to watch everything going on with Mitch and Cody, and that was where the deputy marshal had stationed himself ever since. While Aaron worked at the church today, Kreed seemed to have locked himself tightly back up, hid behind the same walls he had placed between them from the beginning. He understood Kreed was worried about this whole situation. And he had played right into Kreed’s hands this morning by letting him pull away and allowing him the opportunity to put those barriers back in place. Aaron should have stopped Kreed in his tracks, because now he felt like they were starting things back at square one.
Aaron put the keyboard on the makeshift desk and turned the power off on his monitor like he’d done more times than not since he’d met Kreed. He went for Kreed’s door, fir
st standing in the open doorway then, after being ignored, he moved to the sofa, sitting on the edge, watching the screen that had kept Kreed’s attention all night.
“How’s it going?” Aaron finally asked after a few minutes. Just as he finished asking his question, Kreed’s phone rang. He held up a finger and answered it on the second ring.
“Hey.” He watched Kreed’s features visibly soften. “Watch yourself.” Kreed disconnected the call and let out a deep exhale before turning a worried gaze Aaron’s way. “They’re in a secure location.”
“Not at Colt’s place.”
“No. They made the news tonight. Colt got on air on WFAA and did the sport’s report with Dale Hanson. He apparently supports equality. A photo of them out tonight made it in the segment. They’re calling tonight a success,” Kreed explained.
“You aren’t?” Aaron asked. Kreed was still bowed up tight with stress.
“No, I am. They got what they wanted out of it. Now we’ve gotta keep a closer eye on you. If it’s gonna happen, it’ll be in the next few days. I don’t know how long they’ll need to plan a hit, but I’m thinking it’ll be like the agent in Washington, enough to send them over the edge if we’re in the right place,” Kreed said, looking down at his hands. “If we’re barking up the wrong tree, maybe we can get a better direction.”
“Can the alphabet boys see us?” Aaron pointed to the screen, and Kreed reached over, turning the monitor off. “Is that the only feed in here?”
“Everything else’s off.”
“Good.” Aaron stood and strode across the room, stopping right behind Kreed’s back, he lifted his hands to Kreed’s shoulders and the deputy marshal shifted in his chair to look at him. “Turn around. You’re too wound up.”
“Aaron, I don’t know if you touching me right now’s such a good idea.”
“It’s just a massage. Your virtue’s safe for the moment. I promise. Now spin around.” Aaron made a twirling motion with his fingers, signaling for Kreed to follow his directions.
Kreed let out a huff, but he finally faced the other way. Aaron started with his thumbs, digging into the tight muscles in Kreed’s upper back and shoulders. Several minutes passed with Aaron using as much strength as he had in his fingers to work Kreed’s muscles before he heard a relaxed sigh. He leaned in and kissed the top of Kreed’s head. It was interesting how all this distance Kreed kept putting between them hadn’t affected Aaron. Normally, he’d have his feelings hurt by now, especially since he’d done little more than think about the guy all day long, counting the hours until he could cross the street and just be with Kreed. But Aaron understood this standoff thing Kreed had going on. All this distance was really Kreed’s way of coping with the situation. Kreed wouldn’t be pushing him away if his head wasn’t confused about what they’d done.
Aaron moved his hands, kneading the muscles along Kreed’s spine. He reached for the hem of Kreed’s T-shirt and pulled it up. Kreed fought him, grabbing for the cotton fabric to hold it down.
“We can’t.” Kreed spoke so softly his voice sounded strained, husky with need. Aaron got it; he was needy too. Kreed turned him on. There was no doubt about that. But right now, he just wanted to comfort Kreed—build him up again, make him steady.
“No sex, I promise,” he whispered in Kreed’s ear. “Come sleep in the comfortable bed. Get some real rest.”
Kreed looked back at him, vulnerability and desire playing across his face. After a minute, whatever sign he searched for in Aaron’s eyes, he must have found. Kreed lifted his hand and threaded those long fingers through Aaron’s hair, tugging his head down until he was close enough to press those warm lips against his. The kiss was soft and sweet. Kreed lingered.
When Aaron slipped his tongue past Kreed’s lips, the deputy marshal pulled him closer and held him tighter. Regretfully, Aaron pulled back from the kiss. He’d made promises, after all. He honestly didn’t want to spook Kreed. He slowly pulled Kreed’s shirt over his head before returning to massage his shoulders for several more minutes. His eyes slid down Kreed’s broad back, admiring all the beautiful designs and marks along his skin. His eyes moved lower, taking in Kreed’s perfect form. That was when he saw them—a weapon at Kreed’s back and a knife on his hip.
He was learning Kreed’s habits, and when he thought there was a possibility things could get rough, Kreed’s weapons were never too far out of reach. Kreed always carried a gun—Aaron got that; it was Kreed’s job—but, all the rest, he just didn’t fully understand. The weapons were just scary for Aaron. He’d never been around guns, knives, or anyone quite so rugged and possibly deadly in his life. Those deadly abilities kind of freaked him out. He tried to ignore it. At least to Kreed he wanted to appear unaffected by the weapons.
He moved around, picked up Kreed’s hand, and tugged him off the chair. He walked backward to face Kreed as he pulled him from the study. Luckily, Kreed followed, reaching for his phone before they’d exited. They made it as far as the middle of the bedroom before Kreed stopped and again took Aaron’s face between his big palms. Kreed’s thumbs stroked lightly across his cheeks and jaw. The deputy marshal’s eyes met his.
“I want you. You have to know I do,” Kreed said quietly.
Aaron reached up, placing his hands on top of Kreed’s. “I know…just not right now. I understand you need your head in the game. Let me hold you tonight.” Aaron watched as Kreed thought over what he’d said. Kreed finally nodded, and Aaron pressed a chaste kiss to Kreed’s lips, then turned and walked toward the bed.
Aaron pulled the bedcovers back. He left his pajama bottoms and T-shirt on. He clicked on a lamp, and when he decided Kreed wouldn’t bolt, he left him standing there to turn off the overhead lights. Kreed slowly began to undress. He placed the long knife at his hip on the nightstand, along with his phone, then he checked his service weapon’s safety before placing it between the mattresses. The guy must really be spooked. Aaron crawled into bed from the other side and stretched out on his side. Kreed placed the blade he had strapped to his leg under his pillow before sitting on the edge, untying his boots.
“I hate feeling off, like there’s something I’m missing. I’m stuck inside this house and it’s killing me. I need to be out there doing more,” Kreed confessed with his back to Aaron.
“I figured as much, but there’s nothing else you can do. Mitch must feel the same,” Aaron said, not knowing what else to say. Kreed kicked off his boots and rose from the bed. He tugged down his jeans, stepped out of them then tossed them over a nearby chair. Kreed turned toward him wearing just his dark blue briefs. He kept those on as he climbed in bed. Kreed rolled to his side and pushed his feet under the blankets, facing him.
“You did good today,” Kreed said.
Aaron smiled at that. When he was little, his mom and dad would talk before they fell asleep, and for some reason, this reminded him of that, finding comfort in the moment. That was before everything got so fucked up with his family.
“You’ve told me that once already.”
“I know, but I’m proud of you. You know, you don’t have to sleep so far over there,” Kreed added.
“I didn’t want you to think I was pushing you into anything.”
“No, it’s good,” Kreed replied.
Aaron began scooting over. Kreed met him halfway, drawing him in closer until he was able to lay his head on Kreed’s shoulder. It was weird sleeping with someone like this. The few times he’d actually slept in bed with guys, he was usually the biggest guy, so the men would try and cuddle up against him. Kreed’s body was huge and didn’t give, his chest was rock hard and Aaron tried to find a comfortable position on all the muscle. “I really like having sex with you, but if you’re anywhere close to where I am, what we shared was more than just a fuck to me.”
“That was an honest statement,” Kreed said, moving around until he was looking at Aaron. Kreed adjusted his pillow, giving some to Aaron as he stared at him, studying his face. “You aren’t normally so forth
coming with information. Usually it’s like pulling teeth to get you to open up about anything.”
“Am I putting too much thought into it? Was I wrong?” Aaron asked, tucking his hands under his face.
“No, not wrong. Just finally honest without being pushed. And I would be lying if I said you were just a fuck,” Kreed said, regarding him curiously.
“So I get why we need to hold off. It messes with your head,” Aaron added, staying away from the honesty subject.
“I told you that.”
“I know you did. When this case is over, do you think we will see each other again?” Aaron asked. If Kreed didn’t want anything more with him, he needed to know, rein in all this runaway sentiment racing through him. He wanted to be with Kreed, but the stupid voice in the back of his head kept telling him he needed to stop before he got in too deep and ended up in prison. Why did he always want what he couldn’t have?
“It’s definitely something I’d like to explore. Depending on what they’ll need from me once this wraps up, I have vacation time I can use to take you somewhere,” Kreed answered. That was new too—someone wanting to take him somewhere as opposed to him being the one to take his guys places. How cool was that? His heart warmed.
“I’d like that,” he finally said. God, he would like that so much. He would just have to figure out how in the hell he could keep his other activities off Kreed’s radar. Kreed’s palm came up and tenderly cupped his face.
“You’re unexpected,” Kreed said, and Aaron stayed silent. If Kreed only knew the truth. And how long would it take for this newfound attraction to turn against him if Kreed ever found out?
“Where do you call home?” Kreed asked. For the first time in a long time, he didn’t want to lie. He lifted his head and searched Kreed’s face, knowing he was taking too long to answer but he couldn’t help it. He wanted to be honest. “It’s not a hard question,” Kreed said teasingly, but the laughter wasn’t reaching the deputy’s eyes. He knew Kreed was picking up that things weren’t exactly right with Aaron. There were holes in his story and he knew it. Kreed saw things that no one else did. He hated having to hide himself from Kreed. Aaron had made a habit out of making himself inconsequential, but Kreed wasn’t letting him slip through the cracks like he tried so hard to do.
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