Way of the Shadows (Shadow Agents 8)

“Because that joker in lockup is screaming that he has her hidden in the wilderness, and he says the only way she makes it out alive is if he goes back in for her.”

“What?”

“So we need you and Noelle back at the station, right now. Because if he’s not lying...”

Thomas’s gaze was now on the darkness beyond the window. If Patrick is telling the truth, then Paula Quill could be out there right now, dying.

Thomas ended the call and raced back up the stairs. As soon as Noelle saw his expression, she leapt to her feet. “What’s happening?”

“Patrick Porter may have taken another victim.” They wouldn’t know for sure, not yet, but... “We have to get back to the station.”

She yanked on her clothes. “Who’s the victim?”

He dressed quickly, his movement jerky. “Paula Quill.”

“The senator’s aide?” She shook her head. “What do you think...? Is he—is he lying?”

Thomas hoped so, but a knot had formed in his gut. They finished dressing. When she started to rush past him, Thomas caught her arm. “Before we go, there’s something I need you to know.” Because he never wanted secrets between them again.

Noelle glanced back at him.

I don’t want to mess this up. She means too much to me. The woman deserved wining and dining, not some rushed confession on their way to interrogate a prisoner.

“Thomas? What is it?”

“I will not leave you again.” The words rumbled, too deep. “You can count on me, no matter what.”

Her smile came then, spreading slowly over her face and lighting her eyes. “I already knew that.”

Okay. Do it. “Did you know I love you?”

Wait. Hell, he’d meant that to come out better. But charm had never been his strong suit.

She blinked up at him.

He cleared his throat. “I wanted you to know that.” He knew she didn’t love him, but maybe they could have something when they went back to D.C. “I don’t want us to end when the plane touches back down in D.C.”

“Thomas—”

“Let’s finish this case. Find out if Porter is telling the truth or just jerking us around and then...” He pushed back his shoulders. “Give me the chance to prove that you and I can work out. We can have something together.” Something worth fighting for.

Her gaze searched his. Thomas wasn’t sure what she was looking for. If he knew, he’d give her everything she needed. “Noelle—”

His phone started ringing again.

Damn it!

“Give me the chance,” Thomas said again. Then there was nothing more to say. They had a killer to face.

* * *

“WE FOUND THESE images on Patrick Porter’s phone.” Mercer’s voice was grim.

Noelle stared down at the images. They showed a familiar woman—Paula Quill—tied to a chair. A blindfold covered her eyes.

“The jerk told us where to find the images on his phone. He’s taunting us, and he likes the power he has,” Mercer added.

Noelle looked up at the EOD boss.