a wrong turn. “This way.”
She continued on. “Where’s that man who runs this place? I want to talk to him next.”
“Probably not the best idea right now.” Pierce snagged her arm. “I will make you an appointment.”
Mona yanked her arm from his grip. “No. I have to do it now.”
Her skin was a little pale except for the flaming pink of her cheeks. She appeared to be either a breath from passing out.
Or combusting.
And while the latter sounded highly appealing, it wasn’t anything he was willing to allow. Not now.
Pierce stepped close to her, dropping his voice as he leaned into her ear. “This is a very delicate balance right now, Mona. You played your hand. Now you must wait for them to play theirs.”
“This isn’t a game.” Her whisper was almost impossible for him to hear.
She was so damn smart.
Mona’s eyes moved along the deserted hall, slowly scanning the bare walls until finally coming to rest on the camera tucked away in a corner. “Does he know what I did?”
“Absolutely he does. Vincent’s probably looking you up as we speak.” Pierce finally allowed the smile he’d been fighting. “Hoping to learn more about the vicious woman assaulting his men.”
Her eyes snapped his way. “I’m not vicious.”
“You just slapped a mercenary in the face, Love. If that’s not vicious I don’t know what is.”
Mona’s pale brows came together, her cornflower blue eyes quickly moving over his face. “He deserved it.”
“I don’t disagree.” Pierce eased closer, taking advantage of the situation. “And yet you want me to bring him back to Alaskan Security.”
Her narrow shoulders straightened under the bulky line of his coat. “I do.”
“Then I am considering it.” He barely shook his head. “But I won’t make you any promises as far as Zeke’s fate is concerned.”
“Is that why you’re meeting with him tomorrow?”
“We are meeting with him tomorrow.” Pierce lifted his eyes at the nearly silent sound of steps. “It’s time for us to go.”
The last thing he wanted was anyone from GHOST getting close to Mona. They were the wild card he’d attempted to keep in his hand, hoping to use it to his own advantage in order to keep the sins of his past safely where they belonged.
Pierce pulled Mona close, taking her through the maze of halls to the door they’d come through less than fifteen minutes prior. He knocked twice.
Tyson opened it immediately, offering Mona another smile. “Have a nice visit?”
Mona nodded, tucking her head into the wrap of his scarf as the wind cut into the open door.
“Move quick, Love.” Pierce tucked her into his side, hurrying her to the SUV. Reed held the door open as she climbed in, this time without any assistance from him.
Which was disappointing.
He’d thought maybe she had some sort of feelings for Zeke.
It was part of the reason he had no intention of allowing Shadow’s former lead anywhere near Alaskan Security.
But now...
Mona sat very still beside him, chewing her lower lip as she stared straight ahead.
Pierce leaned into her ear, taking a guilty breath, letting the scent of her linger in his lungs.
He’d tried to pinpoint it. Attempted to narrow down what it was that tinted the air around her with a scent so soft and warm.
Unsuccessfully.
“Thank you for taking me to see him.”
“You are welcome, Mona.” He’d called her Ms. Ayers for so long. Should still be doing so.
But last night she was different.
And now.
Now he didn’t want to take her back to headquarters. Not after seeing how far she’d come.
Far enough to test the restraint he learned to have.
“Why do you want me to meet with you tomorrow?” Her eyes came his way for a second before quickly snapping back to the windshield.
“You are his champion.” The fact didn’t grate as much as it did this morning.
All night.
Her desire to see Zeke kept him awake. Restless and agitated.
And he still couldn’t deny her what she wished.
“I just think you are looking at this wrong.”
Very few people told him when they believed he was wrong. He was surrounded by grown men who hesitated to disagree with anything he said.
It was how he liked it. He was the only one who knew the full story of what all Alaskan Security protected, which meant he was the only one capable of making the decisions involving it.
But Mona was different.
“Tell me why you think that.”
“You’re being difficult because he hurt your feelings.”
“Most people don’t believe I have feelings.”
“Most people don’t believe you sleep either.” Her eyes moved his way, cautious