Page 18 of Urban Justice
“It may prove impossible to keep that part of the promise. The thing is, there’s no definitive, complete map of all the tunnels, not yet at least. I can give you a sort of basic map, but we’re discovering more each time urbex is done.”
Before she could argue on the fieldwork, there was something requiring clarification. “Urbex? What’s that?”
There it was, that infamous smile. “Urbex is short for urban exploration. It involves going into abandoned places and exploring them, and for the scholars among us, mapping them and preserving them for future generations. And in this case, preventing traffickers from using those installations.”
“Right. I didn’t know it was a thing. I thought only rebellious teenagers and homeless people hung out down there.”
“Them too. It can be dangerous on many levels. Failing structures, potential hazardous gas, mold, critters... the risks are endless.”
“You’re not talking about the criminals.”
“Them too, although, they’re not as common as you’d think, from my experience at least. Although this an exception on a major scale.”
Sloane saw where he was going, and she wasn’t sure it was a road she liked at all. “And is all this your way of telling me that even if I order you to stay put, you won’t? Even for your own safety?”
Luke put his hands in his pockets. “I stopped taking orders when I left the Marines. It wasn’t a suggestion. I go in with the Vigilante, be his guide. I know you’ve seen my files, and I suppose even my service record. I know how to handle myself, especially in urbex. That’s the deal.”
Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place. There was no way she’d allow him to get close to her when she was the Vigilante, not when it was her turn to wear the mask. However, he was right, and she had to find a way to make it work. “The Vigilante goes into the field solo, but recon work would be helpful.”
Luke came closer. “I can do that. I can go underground and continue mapping. If I do it during the day, the risk of being seen is minimal, and I can look for clues as to whether certain tunnels are in use or not on a regular basis. I can make it work.”
His energy was too much, almost overwhelming, and Sloane twisted on her stool to put some distance between them. “Replace that I with we, and I think it could work.”
“I think it would be better if the Vigilante learns all of this first-hand. Nothing against you, just cutting out the middleman.”
There could be some workarounds for that, but the team was stretched as it was, and Sloane didn’t want to put more pressure on them. “He’s busy working other leads. We can’t afford to only focus on one possibility. There’s too much at stake. You must see that. If we can find the tunnels they’re using, we can pave the way for the Vigilante to do the takedown.”
When Luke nodded, it required a lot of self-control not to do a fist pump. The man would be a tough sell on everything that could go down, and she couldn’t take anything for granted.
“Okay, so it’s the two of us until we make the rats run out so the Vigilante can bring them down.”
“Excellent. Tell me everything that you need in regard to equipment, material, resources, and I’ll make it happen.”
He extended his hand, and Sloane shook it to seal the deal, although it only reminded her of them together less than an hour ago. Instead of releasing her hand after a good shake, he pulled at her. There was no doubt in her mind that she could have broken free, but why didn’t she want to? She wasn’t the type who liked being bossed around, but the way he forced her forward, it felt less like an order and more like an irresistible magnet.
“You’re derailing the conversation, professor.”
But once more, his hand went to her hair and before she could utter a word, his mouth was on hers. She’d had intense connections in the past, but none were as explosive as this one.
Indulging for a minute, or maybe two, she leaned back. The kiss was seriously messing with her ability to think, as much as the rising anticipation of a repeat of earlier tempted her, but she had to pass the message on. “Professor, I don’t think it would be wise to...”
Instead of releasing her like she expected, all apologetic and gentlemanly, Luke cocked his head. “You want me to let you go?”
She frowned at his tone. “I agree that I jumped you earlier, but it was only to get rid of the tension buzzing between us, so we could focus on the more important matter.”
Again, he didn’t budge. “That was the reason, huh? Some kind of biological function that needed to be addressed? You’re weird, Ms. Friday.”
He surprised her once more by taking her mouth in another searing kiss.
Just as Sloane was about to let herself be swept away, it was Luke’s turn to pull back, leaving her on unsteady feet. “Say whatever you want, Ms. Friday, but I don’t think that earlier fuck has dampened what’s between us. You don’t seem like a woman who’d be sidetracked by anything or anyone when on a mission. Am I right?”
“I was referring to your brain and hormones, professor. You’re the one who holds the success of this entire endeavor on his shoulders.”
Luke scratched his bearded chin. “I’ve had bombs exploding all around me and still carried out my mission. So please, stop dumping your doubts and uncertainties on me.”
That affirmation felt like a punch in the gut, him insinuating she might be the one impacting it all.
“Now, you asked for a list, I’ll put one together. I think that time is of the essence, especially since the area to explore is vast, and there may be other places to check too.”
And, before she could reply, Luke dismissed her, grabbing his messenger bag to retrieve a pen and paper.
Not that she was clinging to that quick morning session of intense sex, she never did. Despite what Luke had said, she viewed attachment as the greater weakness, not sex. Sex had never sidetracked her, ever.