Page 15 of Matrix

As I walk away from him, I shake my head. Obviously, I’m not thinking clearly. I’ve got sex on the brain, which makes zero sense, considering the situation. Maybe I should have tried harder to get some sleep because I clearly need it. I can’t focus on what’s important, and that could get me killed.

A door opens down the hall, and a few seconds later, Talon strolls into the kitchen. He grabs a chair, turns it around so the back is closest to the table, then straddles it. “I’ve been craving a good grilled cheese.”

“Here.” I carry the platter to the table. “The soup’s almost ready. I’ll get the others.”

“I’ll do it,” Matrix says.

As soon as he leaves the room, Talon leans back to watch me. “Did they teach you how to cook at Club Fed?”

“What?”

“You know, Fed training school.”

“The FBI Academy?”

“Yeah.”

“No.”

“It’s hard to believe you’re an agent. How the hell did you slip past us?”

“You’reguys. You see a pretty girl who looks like a country bumpkin and don’t question it. There’s implied bias because I’m a woman. Most people think of men when they think of FBI agents.”

“Aren’t most of them dudes?”

“A lot, but definitely not all. There were several women in my class at Quantico.”

“Hot as you?”

My face burns. I’m glad I’ve got my back to him while I stir the soup.

“Stop hitting on the Fed,” Matrix says as he strolls back into the room. “Soup’s probably warm enough. I’ll get bowls.”

We work together to portion it out, then carry the bowls to the table. Reaper’s in the seat across from Talon. I didn’t even hear him come in. Sometimes I think he’s more ghost than human. It’s fucking weird. I’m glad they didn’t assign him to be my prison guard. I don’t think I’d be able to handle his constant snarling and scowling.

Everyone’s seated by the time Scar joins us. He sits at the head of the table. “Since everyone’s still awake, let’s move forward on having her contact her SAC.”

“Done,” Matrix says. “Waiting on a reply.”

“Good.” Scar drags his spoon through the soup but doesn’t move to eat any of it.

“Talon and I watched her. She didn’t poison it.” Matrix eats a spoonful. “See, not dead.”

“Not yet,” Reaper growls.

A chime sounds on the laptop. Matrix pushes his food out of the way and drags the computer into its place. “Bingo. SAC Vale says he’ll meet you at sunset at the campground.”

“Really?” I’m surprised.

“That’s what the email says.”

“We need our men in place well before then,” Scar says.

“Chow first. Work after,” Talon says before cramming a whole sandwich into his mouth.

“Slow down. You’re going to choke,” I blurt.

Everyone turns to look at me. I shrink back in my chair. Maybe they don’t realize it, but I don’t hold any ill will toward any of these men. If anything, I admire them. Sure, they’re consummate lawbreakers, but they usually do it for the right reasons. They aren’t bad people, just horribly misguided. There are legal ways they could accomplish their goals, but they choose to circumvent the law. I don’t fully understand why they do things their way, but it’s fascinating. Maybe they’re just impatient. Doing things legally takes time. In some cases, maybe they simply don’t want to wait.