“You workexactlylike that.”
She shrugged. “Busted. But not when it comes to her. She’s a blip. Doesn’t know anything. Doesn’t mean anything. Which is why I don’t understand your infatuation with her. What are you doing, Sergeant? Playing house? Pretending you’re normal? Convincing yourself this lifestyle is going to make you happy? I’m not threatening you, because we both know torture doesn’t work. Especially long term. This is motivation. You want this job. You were made for this type of work.”
He tried to hide his cringe at how close to home her words hit. “You need to leave.”
She stood her ground. “You come work with me again, and it’s not about clinging to some past that was never real—unlike the life you’re trying to live now. I don’t care that you were an okay lay. Though, God, some of the emails the two of you shared... Wow, she thinks you’re all that.”
He should have known his exchanges with Riley weren’t private. “This conversation is over.”
“Ditch the blonde, come work for us. The money is good. You’ll never stop growing. Right now, you’re just a hack who can’t keep up. And really, do you think she’s going to want you once she figures out who you are? We already know, and that’s why you’re so valuable to us.”
“Get out.” Zane couldn’t find more words in the midst of his anger.
“Sergeant Petrov.” Her voice was gentle. Coaxing. Condescending. “You’re going to regret this”—she finally reached for the doorknob—“but I won’t ask again.” She didn’t wait for a response but slipped out and tugged the door shut behind her.
Zane sank back against a nearby wall, shaking with anger and trying to ignore the thread of creeping sick about the exchange. Riley might not mean anything to the CIA, but she was his world.
He’d do absolutely anything for her, including making sure she ended up with a good guy. Someone who wasn’t him. He didn’t think he could ever atone for his sins, but if it was possible, he’d start here.
* * * *
RILEY COULD DO THIS. She could talk to Zane, figure out what was going on, and convince him she was there for him. She repeated the reassurances, trying to make herself believe them. Relief and nausea flooded her when she saw Zane’s car. So he was home.Good. Perfect. Right?
She swallowed the sickness climbing inside her and headed toward the back stairs that led to his apartment. Her step faltered when she saw an unfamiliar woman walking down. The brunette’s cheeks were flushed, and a smile stretched her face the moment she made eye contact with Riley.
The stranger came to a stop in front of her, her smile too big to be genuine. “You must be Riley. I’m Sabrina. I’ve heard so much about you.”
The Air Force girlfriend. The commanding officer who’d been by Zane’s side through this entire mess. Riley pushed back every single trace of revulsion, holding on to it for later. “Same. I can’t say any of it was good, though.” She didn’t care cattiness filled her retort.
“I hope I didn’t spoil him for you.” Sabrina’s grin spread. “I think they heard me screaming his name in pleasure in the shop. God, he gets so rough when he’s turned on. Yanking my hair. Forcing me down. That man is incredible when he lets himself off his leash.”
Riley’s convictions fled. A series of childish retorts rolled through her thoughts, but she couldn’t find any real, tangible response. Sabrina brushed past her with a smirk, and Riley turned, held up her hand, middle finger extended.
It didn’t matter if what Sabrina implied was true. Riley was here to resurrect her friendship with Zane. If sex was out of the equation, that was fine, but she wouldn’t share him. Not like that. She forced one foot in front of the other until she stood before his apartment. It took every last ounce of willpower to raise her hand and knock.
Seconds later, the door was flung open, startling her. She stepped back at the fury on Zane’s face, doubt growing when his expression instantly melted into a tiny smile.
“Hey.” His voice was low. He stepped aside. “Come on in.”
Confusion throbbed in her temple, as she stepped around him. “It’s not a bad time?”
“No.” He closed the door behind her but hovered near it. “I’m surprised you’re here.”
Judging from his expression, whatever happened with Sabrina didn’t leave him as satisfied as it did her. Good to know. Riley faltered, not finding her next reply. Damn, this was awkward. “I told myself I’d do this one more time, now we’ve both had a few days to think. But I won’t be back every two days, begging for you to hear me out, if you’re not interested.” She loved him, though she didn’t know what kind of love it was. She wouldn’t be anyone’s emotional punching bag.
“I understand.” He reached for her, but dropped his hand at the last second.
The foot between them felt like a mile. Riley grabbed her left arm with her right hand. “I just met Sabrina.”
The fury was on his face again for the briefest moment before it vanished and he turned his attention to the ceiling. “How’d that go?”
Riley shrugged, not trusting herself to say much. “Openly hostile. What did you two get up to?”
“Same things as always.” He didn’t hide his irritation so well that time.
A whimper rose in her throat, and she choked it back. He didn’t want her asking about it. That was fine; she could do that. Not that it was appropriate for her to ask whom he was sleeping with. She nodded toward the futon. “Can we talk?”
“Sure.”