Sure, he was attracted to her. He found a lot of women sexually attractive. But he’d never done this kind of shit on the job before.
Fuck.
Maybe it was natural for him to feel drawn to her. ShewasJimmy’s little sister. There was a strong family resemblance, and some of the things she did and said reminded Derek of Jimmy.
When did you ever want to get into Jimmy’s pants?
Hell.
He levered himself upright, got up, and walked to the bathroom to take a leak. On his way back, he spotted Dawar in the kitchen, sound asleep in front of the security monitors. He walked over, gave the kid a nudge.
Dawar jerked upright, saw Derek, and his eyes went wide. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep. Will you tell Farzad?”
“Not unless it happens again. Security cameras are worthless if no one pays attention to the monitor.”
Rather than trying to sleep again, Derek laced up his boots, grabbed his parka, and walk through the cold and dark to his Land Cruiser. It was almost five in the afternoon in Washington, D.C. He might as well check in with Corbray. He had to ask about the package—and explain that he wouldn’t be heading back to the U.S. any time soon.
“I was going to call you,” Corbray said. “Hamilton fired us. We’re off the case. You can pack up and head home.”
“I can’t. Not yet.” He brought Corbray up to date on what Jenna had done and the Mullah’s visit. “I’ll stay until I’m certain this has blown over and cover the cost myself.”
Corbray narrowed his eyes. “Is something else going on here?”
“Like what?” Derek played stupid, but he knew what Corbray was asking.
“Like you and Ms. Hamilton.”
“Hell, no. She’s the sister of a buddy who took bullets for me. I want to make sure she’s truly safe. And let’s keep this whole fired thing between us for now.”
“Right.”
8
Jenna hurried to her room, pulled off her headscarf, and brushed her hair. Not that Derek would see it, but still. When it gleamed, she brushed her teeth, put on a touch of mascara and some lip gloss to add color, and tied on her headscarf again.
She checked her reflection.
Oh, who was she fooling? No man would find her pretty dressed like this. She looked like a nun.
You don’t have time for this.
Derek was probably already waiting. He had texted her and asked her to meet him during evening prayers because he had a surprise for her. He hadn’t given her any hints, so her imagination had run wild.
Chocolate? Hand cream? A book or DVD from home?
No, that wasn’t Derek. The surprise was probably her very own Kevlar vest.
Buzzing with anticipation, she grabbed her coat and hurried out the back door.
Derek stood there, bundled into his parka, hands in his pockets, the last rays of the sun turning the stubble on his jaw to copper. “Hey.”
“Are you growing a beard?”
He grinned—a smile that gave her belly flutters. “I need to blend in.”
Jenna laughed. “I haven’t seen many Afghans with red beards.”
“You’d be surprised.” He scratched his jaw. “This damned stuff itches. Come.”