Lights Out by Natalie Walters

Author:Natalie Walters
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romantic Suspense;Suspense fiction;Mystery fiction;FIC042060;FIC042040
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2021-09-28T00:00:00+00:00

18

Washington, DC

10:28 AM Saturday, January 17

“Still alive.” Two words had never haunted him more. Not even “it’s cancer” had the punch Dr. Davey’s words spoke about Brynn.

Jack ran his hand through his hair again, his muscles tight with stress as he stared out over the busy street outside the Acacia Building. The thick white clouds hovering low over the city hadn’t followed through with their threat of snow despite the forecasters’ insistent warnings. He moved away from the window, the wound on his leg a painful reminder that he needed to sit down. Rest.

He might’ve if he wasn’t so worked up over the woman who was running—he checked his watch—twenty-eight minutes late. Where are you, Brynn?

Jack couldn’t shake the anxiety growing in his chest. In less than a week, they had one man still missing, two shot dead, and another poisoned using a Cold War method. At the center of it all was Brynn. The woman he wanted to be angry with. The one he wanted to direct his frustration at. The one who’d scared the life out of him when she collapsed in his arms.

“You all right, man?” Garcia sat against the edge of his desk, arms folded over his chest.

“Yeah. I’m trying to figure out how an Egyptian spy, two dead immigrants, an explosion, an FBI informant, and opioids fit together.”

Garcia snorted. “That all?”

No. But Jack wouldn’t let on that his feelings were slowly becoming part of the assignment. It wasn’t professional, and it was getting more and more difficult to separate the job from the emotions rising every time he thought of Brynn.

“I can’t tell if you’re working out a physics equation in your mind”—Garcia squinted thoughtfully at Jack—“or if the buffalo wings from last night aren’t sitting well with you.”

“Neither.” Jack laughed. He walked to his desk and pulled the large whiteboard toward the conference table. “Like I said, working out the details of this ever-changing assignment.”

“Right,” Garcia said, not sounding convinced. “How’s Brynn?”

“Good enough. Dr. Davey released her from the hospital.” A fact Jack wasn’t in agreement with, but given Brynn’s current track record for chasing leads without him, he figured it was better to let her come into the office for the debriefing. Director Peterson agreed. He checked his watch again. “She was supposed to be here a half hour ago.”

“Seems that pretty little tornado is stirring up old feelings.”

Jack speared Garcia with his eyes. “She’s not.”

“You sure?”

“I’m sure.”

Lyla waltzed into the office. “Sure about what?”

“Nothing.” Jack eyed Garcia, hoping his message to drop it was clear.

Garcia gave a half laugh. “So long as you’re sure.”

“How come I feel like I walked in on my two big brothers hiding a secret? Wait!” Lyla smiled, removing her coat. “Is it something for my birthday?”

Jack caught a glimpse of Garcia, frustration and hurt coloring his expression. Man, he ached for his friend. Not just friend-zoned but straight up brother-zoned. How Lyla remained oblivious to Garcia’s adoration was a mystery, but maybe it was for the better. Jack knew what it was like to give your heart to someone who didn’t reciprocate those feelings.

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