Dare Me (Take Me 2)

How could she not? Mads was having too much fun experimenting with the color palette and the tools that came with her unicorn mold and she kept cranking out pancakes somebody had to devour—and Nikki was thriving on the comfort food.

Talk about eating your feelings.

Though, she happily did it, because it made Mads happy.

And Nikki was also enjoying Mrs. Castillo’s company.

Afterward, Nikki walked with Damen to the foyer. He’d told her he was required on the ops campus today...and he invited her to go along with him.

Nikki gave a slight shake of her head. “Sorry, but we saw how I r

esponded to that adventure previously. I could use some distance from the whole ordeal.”

“Of course,” he easily said, not pressing.

“I’m just here to retrieve my belongings.”

But as she approached the tall, gorgeous double doors of the entryway, neither her laptop bag nor her rollaboard were in sight.

Knowing precisely what she was looking for, Damen informed her, “I had them returned to my suite.”

“Of course,” she mimicked, a delicate mocking.

He chuckled. “Fine. Suffice it to say, I’m glad you’re here for one more day.”

“So am I,” she confessed. “A little holiday cheer goes a long way. Between my visit with Fiora’s family and now with yours, I guess I’m feeling as though I’m getting some normalcy back. And that reminds me...”

Consternation crept in on her.

Damen turned to face her. “Yes?”

“What, exactly, is Fiora’s fate, Damen?”

His jaw clenched briefly. Regret flashed in his eyes.

Nikki’s heart sank. As did her spirits.

“You already know the answer to that,” he quietly said.

“Suspension or an outright firing?” she countered.

“Leave without pay during the investigation period. Which I will not contribute to, Nik, other than to report the facts as I know them. I...” His voice trailed off and he let out a disgruntled sigh.

“You don’t want to inadvertently incriminate her further?” she ventured, hope tinging her voice.

“Garcia is a great agent. She’s quite useful. And...she saved your life.”

“Yours as well,” Nikki pointed out.

“Which I will represent accordingly. My biggest concern has been and remains that you were pulled into this unwittingly, undeservedly and—ultimately—in a capacity that has been wholly detrimental to you.”

“About all of that...” She winced.

“Yes?”

She drew in a breath, then more steadily said, “Damen, in the long run, she achieved exactly what she set out to accomplish—and thank God for it. She got that terrorist information into the right hands. Into your hands.”

His teeth ground.