“James, I’m telling you, you’renotcrazy or sick. I’ll speak to your parents.” Troy stood.
“Thank you.” James pulled the bedding up to his neck and rolled over.
In the hallway, Trask ushered Troy into an empty room. “Boss, I’m worried.”
“He did well. He’s under watch,” Troy insisted.
“It’s you I’m worried about. One interview wrecks me for days, and you interviewed four tough cases.”
Gwen’s information, I should have been aware of.The truth left a bitter taste in his mouth.
“Trask, I hurt Gwen. She screwed up earlier, and I shredded her. The mistake… it should have been a training moment. I shredded her because that mistake could have been dangerous for her, and then I treated her like a victim interview, not someone I care for.”
“You’ll tell her when you see her. Now, are you going to let Tim know, or should I?” Trask tipped his head.
“I will.” Troy rubbed his face. His phone vibrated. Thinking it was about Gwen, he didn’t look at it before he answered.
“Greece… She was a bad girl. I warned you she was touched. Maybe she needs to go back for training. She needs to give back what she stole. I left her a message. I’m sure she’s ready for a second go,” the mystery caller said.
“You son of a bitch. I will rip you apart if you lay a hand on her!” Troy roared.
“This is going to be fun. She’s not safe anywhere, and neither are you if you try to protect her.” The call ended with the sound of the man laughing.
Chapter 16
When Troy and Trask exited the conference room, Gwen was leaving another office at the same time. The three met in the corridor. “Gwen, would you speak with me for a moment?” Troy asked.
He expected anger, but her beautiful eyes were watery; her nose was pink from crying, and her lip wobbled. She managed to squeak out, “Okay.”
“Trask, we’re going to walk over to my office. Head home. I’ve got the security team.”
“You sure, Boss?” Trask asked.
Troy nodded. “Walk with me.” His voice was choked with emotion.
“Okay.” She stayed silently in stride with him. Verna was gone for the evening when they arrived at his office.
Welcoming her inside, he closed the door behind them. He wanted to wrap his arms around her. Instead, he closed his eyes, took a breath, and opened them, taking her in. “How I treated you earlier was unforgivable. Your error did not deserve the magnitude of my reaction. It should have merited a discussion. Will you forgive me?”
“I bear some responsibility. My fear of exposure overrode my trust in you. It could have become a disaster. I forgive you.” Gwen took a step toward him.
Now that she was within his reach, he pulled her into his arms and held on. Burying his nose in her hair, he murmured to her in Greek, “I want you so, my beauty.”
“What did you say?” Gwen spoke into his chest.
“Please forgive me, my beauty,” he said.
“I forgive you.” Her body relaxed in his arms.
He wanted to stay like this forever, and it appeared to him she felt the same. That was until her stomach growled loudly. They both began to laugh. “We can grab a light bite. I did ask you this morning.”
“I am hungry,” she replied with a shrug. Her stomach grumbled again.
“From that sound, really hungry.” He couldn’t resist and kissed the top of her head. “Do you want to keep that reservation at C-Level, or we can pick up burgers and fries?”
* * *
Seatedat a table for two in a quiet corner with a view of San Diego Bay, Troy placed his hand on Gwen’s menu. “Thank you for joining me.” His phone vibrated. Reading the message, he chuckled. “You’ve been declared fit for duty.” He cocked his head. “I’m sorry.” Guilt continued to eat at him.