Oath of Honor

director—Roberts had proved more than once she was the best—she

didn’t plan on leaving Wes’s safety in anyone else’s hands. She kept

her mouth shut though—she’d already revealed too much about her

personal feelings. “Why isn’t Tom here?”

“Need-to-know,” Cam said quietly.

“I’ll get to work on adjusting the schedule,” Wes said.

“Good. We’ll communicate by phone and text. Stay off the comm

channels. Block, your contact is Stark. Agent Daniels, I’m yours.” Cam

glanced at Wes. “And yours.”

“Understood,” Wes said.

Cam stood. “Good. Let’s go.”

Evyn held back while others pushed back from the table. “Wes—

Captain Masters—a word, please.”

“Of course,” Wes said as the others filed out.

The door closed, leaving them alone, and Evyn stalked around the

table. “This is crazy. You know that, right? Jesus Christ, Wes.”

“Evyn, we have jobs to do. There’s no time for this.”

Evyn gripped Wes’s forearm. “Just be sure you observe and

nothing else.”

Wes shook her head. “Do you really think I’m in need of

protection?”

The metallic taste of fear, foreign and paralyzing, blurred Evyn’s

focus. She took a deep breath, then another. “I know you don’t. It’s

just—if something happens to you…I can’t go there, okay?”

“Then don’t. Just trust me.” Wes skimmed a fingertip along Evyn’s

jaw. “It’s okay. I like that you worry, but you don’t have to. I’ll be

fine.”Evyn wanted to grab Wes’s hand and hold it to her, wanted the

warm certainty of her touch. She went very still as Wes’s eyes turned

that deep green they got when they were alone with nothing between

them—no pretense, no fear, no excuses. Deep calm—solid and clear—

centered Evyn like no amount of self-imposed control ever had. Last

night she’d thought she was losing herself in Wes’s eyes. Now she

• 234 •

Oath Of hOnOr

realized she was finding her true strength. “I’m sorry. I know you can

handle this. It’s just—last night. Wes, I thought—”

Wes shook her head. “Evyn, don’t. You don’t need to explain.”

“Yeah—I do. I need you to know—” Evyn shook her head. “We’ve

got work—I know it’s not the time.”

“There’s always time if you need me—but I promise you don’t

need to worry about this.”

“You’ll be careful?”

“Yes. You too.”

“Always.” Evyn gave her stock answer, only now it wasn’t just a

piece of the armor she put on to compete every day in a world where

she had to be the best. Now she knew she could feel and still win. “Last

night isn’t over. It can’t be over.”

“I don’t want it to be either,” Wes said quietly, “but I don’t want to

need what I can’t have.”

“I know I fucked up—”

“I didn’t say that.” Wes smiled wryly. “When this is over, we’ll

talk.”Not what Evyn wanted—not all of what she wanted. But she’d

wait. She’d wait, but she wasn’t going to let Wes forget. Or slip away.

She kissed her—swift, hard. “I’m not quitting.”

“Do you ever?” Wes asked.

“Never.”

v

Jennifer knocked on Wes’s office door. “Hi. I got your text. I’m

fine with the schedule changes.”

“You’ll be short and then doubling up two days in a row.” Wes

pulled a file folder over the report she’d been reading.

“Like I said, it’s no problem. This time of year, OT is always

welcome.”

“Thanks. Sorry about the late notice. A couple of people have had

personal matters come up—it’s the season for it, I guess.”

Jennifer stepped a little farther into the room, her shoulder nudging

the door almost closed. “I’m glad for the excuse to spend time with

you. It should be pretty quiet.”

• 235 •

RADCLYfFE

“I hear the Christmas buffet for staff is a big event.” Wes thought

ahead to the president’s schedule—no trips planned until after New

Year’s. No State events during the holidays either. The largest gathering

of staff and press would be in two days.

“Shouldn’t be a problem.” Jennifer smiled.

“Well, I’m sorry you’ll be working part of Christmas Eve and

Christmas Day too.”

“You’re in the same situation, right?”

“I’m new in town, remember? I didn’t have any plans, so working

isn’t that much of a hardship.” Wes wasn’t really sure how convincing

she’d be suggesting a personal interest. She didn’t have a hell of a lot

of practice—make that no practice—getting up close and personal with

colleagues or anyone else. Except with Evyn—being close to Evyn

hadn’t taken any effort at all. Last night isn’t over.

“Well,” Jennifer said quickly, “like I said, my plans fell through

too. Maybe that’s a sign.”

“Maybe you’re right.”

Apparently, her skills weren’t as bad as she thought. Jennifer’s

eyes sparked, and color rose above the vee of her pale-blue cashmere

sweater to her throat. “How about we catch a late dinner when our shift

is over tonight. Unwind before the last-minute Christmas Eve duty.”

“If you don’t have any plans—”

“I don’t, but even if I did,” Jennifer said, her smile slow and

seductive, “I’d change them. I’ve been hoping we’d have a chance to

spend some time together.”

“Then I’d like that. Tonight, then?”

“Yes, perfect.”

“Shall I meet you somewhere?”