Lifeline

Crap, he’s strong.

Clearing my throat, I somehow remember to check my surroundings for immediate threats. “Sorry, I didn’t know it was you when you tackled me,” I apologize for almost shooting him, my body still wound tight from the adrenaline pulsing through my veins and the close encounter with O’Brien’s muscled body.

With a dark expression that doesn’t bode well for me, he stalks off, his movements aggressive and clearly pissed off.

Shit. This is not the impression I wanted to make on my first day.

O’Brien

She’s fresh from the fucking farm.

I keep repeating the words as I type out my report, so I don’t lose my shit because Jefferson almost got herself killed.

The image of her shit-scared face, as she rounded the crates, flashes through my mind. Light blonde hair tied back in a ponytail and the fairest skin that looked even whiter against my tanned hand gave the impression she should still be in fucking high school.

And she’s fucking tiny. Barely reached my shoulder when we faced off in the warehouse.

She fucking pointed her weapon at me.

I shake my head, forcing myself to focus on the report to get it done as quickly as possible.

The first thing I did when I got back to the office was take a shower and change into one of my usual suit pants and a button-up long sleeve shirt. It feels weird after wearing casual clothes for the past two months while I was undercover as a low-level arms dealer. We knew it would get Kelmendi’s attention when I tried to move in on his territory.

I glance up to where Jefferson’s seated at an empty desk next to Briggs, who’s taking three months off to get married to Finch. I have a feeling Briggs won’t be coming back. Jefferson will train under Briggs, so the sooner I accept her as part of our team, the better.

She better be a fast learner, or we’re all fucked.

With my eyes settling hard on Jefferson, I go over her stats, trying to reassure myself this woman won’t get any of us killed. She graduated top of her class from Quantico. She has a degree in psychology. I’ve heard she’s fucking sharp when it comes to getting into the mind of a criminal.

She’ll be an asset.

She’s new.

Give her a break.

Just as I let out a disgruntled sigh, Jefferson’s eyes lock on me. My muscles tighten when she stands up and walks the short distance to my desk. Even though my first impression of her wasn’t good, it doesn’t stop me from once again realizing how goddamn beautiful she is.

Julie Jefferson doesn’t look like an agent at all. She should’ve become a psychologist. People would easily spill their secrets to her.

The thought has my guard going up because the last thing I need is her digging around in my head.

An awkward expression slightly widens her eyes, only drawing more attention to the soft blue irises that have the power to bring a lesser man to his knees.

She smiles nervously, telling me I have the upper hand. I just stare at her, keeping my expression impassive while dissecting Agent Jefferson.

Her chin lifts, and she sucks in a deep breath of air, a flickering of steely resolution in her gaze. “Julie Jefferson.” She holds her hand out to me, her fingers slim, her nails short and neat. “My friends call me JJ.”

For the sake of the team and the fact that I’ll have to work with her, I take hold of her hand, my palm and fingers swallowing hers whole. Our eyes lock, and the protective feeling that made me leap from the second level to get to her, once again fills my chest.

It’s because she’s so fucking small.

She doesn’t belong here.

“Daniel O’Brien,” I mutter, my voice still laced with the tension from the bust and her incompetence.

Much to my surprise, her plump lips curve up, blinding me with a smile as if she’s meeting God himself. “It’s such an honor meeting you.” She gestures toward nothing specific, then looks a little awkward. “Thank you for saving my life back there.”

I realize I’m still holding her hand and quickly pull back. Common decency has me asking, “You okay? I took you down pretty hard.”

“Yeah, I’m okay. The bulletproof vest took the brunt of the impact.” Her smile makes her eyes sparkle, illuminating her innocence.

I nod, and figuring I’ve done my part in welcoming her, I get up and walk away from her to where the rest of my team is standing.

If I’m honest with myself, I’m putting distance between Jefferson and me because she’s so fucking disarming.

Throwing my arm around Briggs’ neck, I pull her to my side for a hug. “Missed me?”

She snorts, giving me an eye roll. “Like I’d miss a hangover.”

Glancing back to where Chief Archer’s taking the stairs up to his office that overlooks our floor, I call out, “Chief, we’re good to go?”