Page 51 of Whistleblower
There’s no one who could protect me like Linc. But what the hell am I allowed to tell him? Explaining how Porky might be stalking me would require telling him what I know about Empress, and why I’m hiding it. The truth ruined my entire life, and I don’t know if I want to keep telling it. It’s not fair. I did the right thing. But why me? Why my burden? I’ll never get used to this—stalking, threats, harassment, and worst of all…shame. My neck is sore from constantly looking over my shoulder. I work in a compound crawling with FBI agents with the highest security clearances and their guard dog hitmen.
And I still don’t feel safe.
“Scooch!” I growl at Linc. Naturally, he looks confused, so I shoo him with my fingers to further my point. He hesitates for a moment, looking wounded, his normally blue eyes are almost light gray against the black of his polo shirt. But I don’t have time to dwell on how stupidly handsome this man is. I’m about to cry, and I want to be alone. “Let me out!” I shriek, and this time he immediately stands.
I take a few paces toward the bathroom before I double back, my hysteric emotions getting the best of me. “And as for the book… I went looking for you to thank you, but you were busy fucking Doctor Hartley. So, I apologize if I’m confused on how I feel.”
I hurry away before the tears begin to fall.
SEVENTEEN
LINC
Carrying a martini is a chore—they spill easily. I look graceless, walking awkwardly as I carry the drink I ordered for Eden to the bathroom. I can’t go back to the obnoxious gang of agents gambling in the corner of the lounge. Not when Eden’s having a meltdown. Not when she clearly needs me.
Oddly enough, she went into the men’s room. I left her alone for fifteen minutes and she still hasn’t come back out. At this point, my patience is gone. I knock firmly on the bathroom door… No answer. I even go as far as pushing against the swinging door—it’s locked. I could put a bullet in the damn lock and it’d come free, but I get the impression shooting my way to the girl I want might turn her off.
“Eden,” I say, knocking again, softer this time. “Please open the door. Let me help.”
“I’m okay. You don’t want to see me like this.”
“Wrong.” I let out a deep sigh. “I really want to see you like this.”
Silence.
“Eden,” I say, lowering my tone. “I’m fully capable of knocking down this door. You’ll be saving us both a lot of trouble, and Callen a property damage bill, if you just unlock it.”
She debates for a moment but then I hear the lock unlatch.
Upon entering, I find Eden leaning against the bathroom counter, her eyes are still red, and her cheeks flushed, but she fakes a smile. It’s obvious she was crying and then composed herself. “Some women would call it predatory, you threatening to break down the door to get to me in the bathroom.”
“This is the men’s room. I’m more within my right to be here than you are.”
Her face twists in confusion. “This isn’t the men’s room.” I point to the urinal in the corner of the private bathroom. “Oh.” She gasps, just now realizing she’s wrong. In Eden’s defense, the bathrooms aren’t marked “Men” and “Women.” There’s a martini glass on one door and an upside-down martini glass on the other. That could easily be interpreted either way.
“Here.” I hand her the orange-colored drink in my hand which she takes gingerly. “And I’m not a predator.” Not to you, anyway. Not to any woman. “Now that I know you’re okay, just say the word and I’ll go. Do you want me to leave you alone?”
She shakes her head before slamming the entire martini back in one gulp. “Someone broke into my apartment today. I’m a little scared to go home.” Smacking her lips together, she smiles briefly making her bubbly cheeks bunch up. “That was tasty. I should’ve sipped that.” She’s trying to make light of the situation to cover her vulnerability, but I’m in no mood. Every cell in my body is swelling with fury. Who the fuck was brave enough to break into Eden Abbott’s home while I still have a pulse?
“Judging by your panic, you know who broke in, don’t you?”
“Actually, I don’t. I think maybe I’m seeing ghosts. Linc…back home I have a reputation… It’s not a good one.”
Closing the space between us, I rub my thumb against her cheek, as if I could wipe the splotchy red patches away. “You were an informant.”
Her eyes hit the floor as she nods. “So, you know. Callen must’ve told you.”
“No. Even if he did, I don’t care. Eden, I’ve killed four men this week, who am I to judge anyone?”
Her heavy eyelids droop, but she places one hand flat against my chest. “I don’t want to talk about that right now.”
“Then how about this? I don’t know what you think you heard, but I never fucked Doctor Hartley. I’ve never met her in person.”
Eden’s eyes light up in curiosity. There we go, that’s where all the avoidance was coming from. Poor thing was jealous. I understand more than she knows. I wanted to break Callen’s jaw when Eden entered tonight and immediately asked for him.
“Vesper said Callen sent you to get checked out,” she explains.
“I don’t take everything Callen says as law.”