“Are you offering to teach me your secrets in private?”
My throat goes dry.
And my mind goes blank.
I have fallen hard for this man, and it scares me.
His kindness, his courage, his loyalty.
It’s everything about him.
But I don’t know if this all started because of the adrenaline, because wehadto work together, or both. Maybe it was because we’d been swept up in the moment? I’m not used to having someone by my side, at least not like this.
I withdraw my hand and clear my throat. “So, I guess we should probably talk about what happened.”
Matthew stands up straighter. “We should.”
“As soon as it’s over.”
Matthew holds my gaze and nods. “Deal.”
“They’ve reached a verdict,” Matthew informs me, in a low voice.
A group of agents beckon Matthew forward, and they form a circle around him while I trail behind. In silence, I search for the Slades and spot them further down the brightly lit hallway.
Simone comes to a stand next to me and shoots me a worried smile.
Matthew walks back to us and smiles, making my anxiety melt away almost immediately.
“They’ve all been found guilty,” he announces. “Travis and a few others are being sent to a maximum-security prison.”
A loud cheer slices through the air, and all of a sudden, I feel the weight of the world fall off my shoulders.
“You did it!” Bennett chuckles, pulling me into a big hug that Owen and the others quickly mimic.
“Undercover badass, that’s what I say,” Ryker chimes in.
Simone is the last to hug me, and her shoulders bounce as she sobs against me, “So proud of you,” she whispers. “And thank you!”
She gives me one last look at arm’s length, then pushes me in Matthew’s direction. He opens his arms, and I step into them, a familiar feeling unfurling in my chest.
Matthew mutters something underneath his breath but doesn’t release me. “So, about what you said before. You know, the you-can’t-get-enough-of-me-bit.”
I draw back and pinch his arm. “I did not say that.”
His lips lift into a smirk. “You did. I remember you were about to confess your undying love for me before we were interrupted.”
I roll my eyes and fold my arms over my chest. “I don’t remember it happening like that.”
Matthew pats my hand. “It’s fine. I accept.”
“Accept what?”
“I’ll go out with you. There’s no need to beg,” Matthew tells me, before giving me a quick wink. “So long as I get to pick the place.”
Simone wedges herself between us and throws an arm around both of us. “Before you two lovebirds sneak off somewhere, we want to invite you all to a celebratory lunch. We already called the family to tell them the good news. Miles and Rebecca expect everyone there.”
I smile at Matthew and wink. “Sure, we’d love to.”