Page 25 of It’s Always Been You (Always #1)

“So what do you plan to do now, Caitlin?” Porter asked. “You’re a free woman.”

“Did I miss the memo? Was I a prisoner?” Caitlin quipped. She knew figuratively she had been until Komarov was placated. And now the Russian mob boss seemed satisfied. Finally, after three years on the run, she could slow down and find herself again.

“I could continue giving you some work,” Porter offered.

Caitlin’s eyes lit up.

“Damn it, Admiral!” Travis snapped.

“Cool it, Lieutenant—”

“Travis—”

“I’m not having her work for the CIA and have another mob boss after her again,” Travis said. “She doesn’t have to work. I can take care of her.”

Caitlin’s temper flared. Travis didn’t say it, but she could almost hear him adding and she will be having my babies .

“I want to work,” Caitlin said even as Travis glared at her.

“But nothing dangerous like handling money for the mob. Never again. I’m not sure I want to work for the CIA either.

So Travis you can back off your overprotective bullshit.

” She looked at Porter. “I can return the laptop. But remember the password I told you that sounded familiar?”

“What password?” Travis was scowling.

“Hephaestus?” Porter’s face was blank. “What about it?”

“There’s another one that I think means something—Carpathian—and it seems to be connected to the first one, but I can’t seem to—”

“You’re done.” Travis’s tone was firm, and his face had taken on a hard edge as his eyes challenged Porter. “You’re returning the laptop. End of story.”

Porter’s words were carefully phrased. “I’ll leave it up to you, Caitlin.

I’m curious about the passwords you’re talking about, especially if you think it’s something important.

Tell you what. Keep the laptop and mess around with it.

Let me know when you’re certain whether or not they mean anything. ”

Caitlin nodded, happy to keep the laptop and continue working on those nagging bits of information that hovered in the periphery of her awareness.

The admiral flashed her one of his rare smiles. One that would make her preen because she had his approval.

“I’m needed back at Langley, so I’d best get moving,” Porter informed them. He nodded to a still unhappy Travis and left the room.

“You and I need to clear up a few things,” Travis told her.

“Oh yes, please. Let’s,” Caitlin fired back.

“Cat—”

“First of all, you do not make decisions for me, especially if it’s what I want to do for work.”

“Babe—”

“Second, I do like that you’re protective. But every time someone even hints at having me do something, smoke comes out of your ears. I’m not made out of crystal. I’ve run from assassins for three years.”

“Exactly!” Travis thundered, the bulging veins in his neck indicating his rapidly deteriorating patience. “For three years I’ve failed to protect you. It kills me every time I think that you were out there trying to survive.”

“Trav—”

“So cut me some slack. I have three years I want to make up for.”

“We’ve been through this over and over. It’s not your fault. It’s not mine. We may never know what really happened. ”

Travis looked like he wanted to lash out, but his lips pressed into a thin line, and Caitlin knew he was restraining himself from blaming Jase again; otherwise this would be a step backward.

She reached out and cupped his jaw. “We’ve come a long way in three short weeks, don’t you think?”

“Yes, we have.” His reply was curt. He wasn’t backing down.

“Don’t try to sweet talk me out of this, Caitlin.

Not where your safety is concerned. I don’t want you”—her eyes narrowed at him at his choice of words so he changed tactics—“I’d prefer if you sever all ties with the CIA.

Return all equipment they gave you. Was it only the laptop? ”

“Several flash drives and a backup drive,” Caitlin shrugged. “I really want to satisfy my curiosity.”

Travis hauled her into his arms and hugged her tight. “You know what they say about curiosity don’t you?”

“Shut up,” Caitlin whispered against his chest, then sighed in contentment. There’s no place she felt safer than in his arms.

Ben Porter was in his car driving back to Langley. He took out his secure phone and dialed a number.

His contact answered immediately.

“You didn’t tell him about the threat from my sister,” Komarov said without preamble.

“They don’t need to know at this point,” Porter replied.

“You are playing with their lives, Admiral. Blake has suffered enough by having his wife taken from him. I’m only regretting that I didn’t leave John Cooper alive to have him torture that bastard.”

Porter laughed without mirth. “You’re talking like you didn’t have a hand in all this mess. You sent your men after Ms. Kincaid. They hurt her. ”

“They weren’t going to kill her. I just wanted my money.”

“You were willing to hand her to your sister.”

“I reconsidered after I got the whole tragic story.”

“You’ve suddenly become a romantic?” Porter scoffed. “Your men better not hear you spouting such drivel or you’re going down next.”

“Is that a threat?”

“No. It’s advice. So, do you know the whereabouts of your sister?”

“Olga has disappeared.”

Porter cursed. This could be challenging.

“Keep them alive, Porter.”

He would try his best. But for the greater good, some lives were collateral damage.