answered, the lie rolling easily off her tongue. “We're working on a case together.”
“Here in San Diego? That's a long way from Maine.”
“We have a suspect on the move, so they sent me,” Dani shrugged.
“Alone?”
Dani smiled at the disbelief in his voice and shook her head. “No, I've got backup from the local office. Not much, but enough. I don't think he's our guy but, hey, how could I turn down an opportunity for Mexican food and the chance to track down some of Ty's dirty little secrets? So, you got anything good on him?” she asked, steering the conversation away from her assignment. Neither of them were fooled.
“Yeah, right. He was my lieutenant before he left, but I have no doubt he'll still come kick my ass if I tell you any of his exploits.”
“And he had a lot?” She knew Ty would tell her if she ever asked. He had told her about his team and some of his friends that night on the ledge—he'd even told her about that last bullet he took.
“Nice try, Agent Williamson,” Roddy smiled but refused to elaborate. “Why don't you tell us a little something about yourself instead? You and Ty a real thing? How long have you been together? Is it driving him crazy to have you out here without him at your back?”
“Maybe, not long, and yes, probably,” she said.
Roddy looked at her, then at Dan Fowler—or Fawkes, as Dani had already started to think of him—who had removed his sunglasses. Fawkes's eyes kept darting to her, even as he stayed focused on a conversation that had turned serious. Dani could see Roddy putting two and two together.
“I'd say that both the ‘maybe’ and the ‘yes’ are probably both ‘hell yeses,’” he offered.
“Maybe,” was all she said.
“Here,” Fawkes said, walking back toward them and handing her the phone. “He wants to talk to you.”
“I hope you've picked up The Care and Feeding of a DEA Agent,” she spoke after taking the phone back. “Because by some weird little twist of reality that occurred the minute I set foot in your SEAL-infested Mexican restaurant—which is good by the way—I now ‘belong to you.’ Even though I outrank you and I can probably outshoot you,” she added, knowing he would hear the smile in her voice.
Ty was silent for a long pause and then he chuckled. “Ah, Dani, in case you hadn't figured it out, you belonged to me long before you set foot in Mamarita's. Probably from the moment I saw you in that bar in Portland. And again, just in case you didn't know, I'm as much yours. Even if you haven't accepted it yet.”
Before Dani could respond to his blunt assessment of their new relationship, he continued. “So what are your plans for the rest of the weekend? Drew had a conversation with someone named Buster. Says you're still the same ballbuster,” his voice was laced with amusement.
“Such a nice image, don't you think?” Dani replied. “I'm headed back to the hotel now. Tomorrow, Agent Gordon and I will do some scouting and then pick up the target when he arrives. She and I will be on day watch. I'll be on night watch with Agent Diamond, the agent with the now-busted balls, in case you were wondering.”
“And when are you going to sleep?” It wasn't actually a question, just Ty's way of looking out for her.
“Alicia, that's Agent Gordon, and I will be on from nine to seven. Diamond and I will be on from seven to midnight. Diamond and another agent, Buster is going to let me know who tomorrow, will be on from midnight until nine. Make you feel better, Dad?”
“Dear god, don't call me that, it makes me feel dirty,” Ty replied.
“Yeah, well, don't worry about me,” Dani protested. But it was halfhearted at best. Though the glare she turned on Roddy and Fawkes, who'd burst out laughing at her last comment, was genuine.
“Your friends aren't endearing themselves to me,” she said.
“Fawkes is going to walk you home,” Ty spoke.
“First of all, how do you know I walked, and second of all, no.”
“First all,” Ty mimicked. “Your hotel is less than a mile from the restaurant. You've been sitting down all day. I'd bet my pension you walked just to use your legs. And second, yes he is—whether you want him to or not—so smile and nod at the nice man.”
Dani glanced over at Fawkes. Standing there watching her—feet apart, arms crossed over his chest—he