Page 17 of Covert Operation

Abe snorts out a laugh as he straightens and backs away, jerking his chin in the direction of the compound at the end of the lane. “Get your cute ass to work.” He steps into the small guard house and presses the button to slide the gate open so we can pass.

Elise blows him a kiss as she pulls away, driving way slower than she has up to this point. Maybe Abe has opinions about her driving too.

She takes us along the opposite side from where Zeke usually parks, following the wall of the rooming house around to the backside where the large overhead door leading to the parking garage lifts as soon as we pull up to it. After sliding into her designated spot, we unload, carrying our food and drinks in as we make our way to the main hall where all the offices are located.

My mood only dips a little when I see Zeke’s office is dark, which means he’s probably already gone.

I join Elise in her office and once we have our sandwiches down and our drinks almost gone, she pulls out a spare laptop and passes it off. “Do you think you could place the grocery order? I have a meeting with Pierce and I’d really like to get it in so it can be delivered today.”

“Sure.” She’s only shown me how to do it once, but it’s not a difficult task. “I’ll take this into the breakroom.”

“Don’t you dare.” She grabs my shoulders, angling me across the hall. “If anyone sees you working on that order, they’ll annoy the shit out of you wanting you to add extra crap they won’t really eat.”

My heart rate picks up as she directs me into a familiar office and flips on the light. “You can work in here. Zeke’s gone so he doesn’t need it.”

I swallow hard as I look at his desk. Being in here feels invasive. Like I’m somewhere I shouldn’t be.

Elise pulls out his chair and sets the laptop into place, flipping it open. “I’ll log you into the system, but make sure you don’t let it sit idle for more than five minutes or it’ll kick you out and you’ll have to wait for me to get you back in again.” She straightens. “The only way I can give you a passcode of your own is after you’re on the payroll and Pierce has Intel do all your background check stuff. He’s kind of a stickler about that.”

“I get it.” I settle into Zeke’s seat, feeling uneasy and settled at the same time. “I’ll make sure I don’t get logged off.”

“Awesome.” Elise lifts her brows. “Need anything else?”

I shake my head. “I’m good.”

“You’re fantastic is what you are.” Elise blows me a kiss the same way she did Abe. “Thanks, doll.”

I smile as she leaves, but it slips when I’m alone in Zeke’s office. I can almost feel his presence here. Like his very essence has permeated each surface. Even the air smells like him, and before I realize what I’m doing, I’m pulling it deep into my lungs. Reaching for the way I feel when he’s here.

But he’s not here. He’s on his way across the country.

And I’m invading his private space without his knowledge. It feels wrong, and he’s doing so much for me. I don’t want to be in here if he wouldn’t want it, so I pull out my phone.

He did say to call him if I needed anything, right? My finger hovers over the screen as I hesitate.

I don’t know that I want to explain who I’m talking to if someone walks past, so I swipe out of the call and open the texting app. Then I type out a message.

I’m at headquarters helping Elise and she has me placing the grocery order. Is it okay if I use your office while I do that?

I send it and set my cell down. It’s only then that it occurs to me that he probably won’t get it right away since he’s likely already in the plane and?—

My cell dings, alerting me to a message.

Zeke

Of course. You can use my office whenever you want.

The tension trying to knit my shoulder blades together eases, loosening more and more as I write a response.

Thank you. I didn’t mean to bother you.

I assume that’s the end of it, so I set my phone down, scoot Zeke’s chair up and scroll over the spreadsheet Elise uses to track inventory.

My cell dings again before I’ve added the first item to the virtual basket.

Zeke

You will never bother me. Text me anytime.