Page 85 of Girl Between (Dana Gray FBI Mystery Thriller #5)

Dana chewed her nails as she followed George out of the restaurant.

“You sure you won’t join us?” he asked as they stepped onto Royal Street. Shepard and Richter were already outside, continuing their griping while Richter lit a cigarette.

George had recommended a jazz club nearby and been roped into playing tour guide.

Normally, Dana would’ve loved to check out the famous jazz scene New Orleans was known for, but after listening to Richter confirm Jake’s fears about the FBI’s new regime under Director Nowak, she was too worried to enjoy herself.

She needed to find a way on this case. And she needed to win the new BAU unit chief over so she could explain how irreplaceable agents like Richter and Shepard were.

“Sorry,” Dana said. “I’m beat. I’m gonna call it a night.”

“Then I’ll walk you to your room,” George offered.

She laughed. “I think you already have. I’m literally across the street.”

“Southern hospitality,” argued George, flashing a flirtatious grin. “At least let me walk you to the door. ”

“I’ve got her,” Jake said, coming up behind Dana, hand grazing the small of her back.

“See you tomorrow, George,” Dana said.

“Tomorrow,” he agreed, unable to hide his disappointment.

“You too,” Dana called to Richter, who waved behind a cloud of cigarette smoke.

Jake nodded gruff farewells to both men and escorted Dana across the street, his warmth a constant comfort at her back.

“You’re really not going to stay for this one?” Dana asked as they waited for the elevator inside the grand hotel lobby.

“No-sack wants me back in D.C.,” Jake grumbled. “Unless you can think of some other reason I should stay?”

“It’ll be strange,” she said, ignoring the innuendo. “Working a case without you. Assuming I can get onto the task force.”

“You will.”

An ache began in her chest at his unwavering confidence in her. She looked up at him. There was nothing but sincerity in his steady gaze. The elevator doors whooshed open, and they walked inside.

Tension immediately radiated off Jake as he took his customary space in the back corner, his hands clenching into fists.

When the doors slid closed Dana moved to his side, slipping her hand into his.

They didn’t speak. They just rode to their floor in silence, Jake tightly gripping the fingers he’d allowed Dana to lace through his.

Mercifully, no one joined them, and they arrived at their floor quickly. Jake followed Dana down the hall to her room, stopping as she unlocked her door. “What are you doing?” she asked when he reached in front of her for the doorknob.

“Sweeping your room.”

“Jake …”

“What? You can never be too careful.”

“I don’t need you to sweep my room.”

“I need to know you’re going to stay vigilant and take care of yourself if you’re gonna be working this case alone.”

“I’ve been on my own for quite some time. I would’ve thought I’ve proven I can take care of myself by now,” she snapped, nostrils flaring.

“You’re right.” He backed up, hands up. “Old habits.”

“Besides, I’m not even on the case yet.”

“You will be. No one in their right mind would let you go.”

She knew he meant more than in a professional capacity. It made her cheeks flush, and she stared at the busy hall carpet pattern to avoid seeing the longing in his stormy gaze.

“Good night,” he said, turning toward his room.

“Wait.”

Jake paused to face her.

“I never got to thank you,” Dana said.

“For what?”

“Yesterday. The cemetery… bringing me back here.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“I want to. You took care of me. I appreciate that. You didn’t make a big deal about it. I appreciate that even more.”

“I know,” he said quietly.

“I know you know.” She bit her lip, then said, “Sometimes I think you’re the only person left who truly knows me.”

“Ditto.”

She crossed her arms. “Don’t do that.”

“What am I supposed to say?” he demanded.

“Something real.”

Jake moved closer, invading her space until her back was pushed against her door. Her hands landed on his warm, hard chest. “Gray, I came here for you. I said my piece. You know how I feel. You know what I want. Now it’s your turn. Figure your shit out,” he growled. “That real enough for you?”

He was halfway down the hall when she could breathe again. “Jake!” she shouted, making him pause. “Get yourself a tux. I need a wedding date.”

He didn’t turn around, but she hadn’t missed the imperceptible way his shoulders relaxed before he walked out of view .

Dana slipped into her room and undressed. She climbed beneath the sheets, her subconscious chiding her for going to bed alone when she had two gorgeous options willing to help warm them.

Jake was right. She had to figure her shit out.