Hydromancist (Seven Forbidden Arts 4)

Her gut clenched. “What about it?” She traced the rim of her cup, avoiding his eyes.

“You’re moving in with me.”

She looked up quickly. She hadn’t expected this. This was a good change. She needed access to Tim’s house. Coming and going as she pleased meant getting the information Cain needed quicker.

“Cesar told me what you said about being independent.” He smiled. “I respect that. I’ll never ask you to give up your job, because I know you love what you do. I know it’s not the money. I can give you all the money you need, but I also know it’ll be hard for you not to earn your own.”

He understood her too well.

“I won’t ask you to move to San José, even if it’s tempting to have you by my side night and day. Just say you’ll stay at the condo during the week when you’re working in Puerto Viejo. It’s a dangerous place, Maya, for a woman alone, and even more so for my woman. There are people who won’t hesitate to use you against me. The guards can protect you at the condo.”

His consideration was heart-warming and unexpected. It made her feel loved and cherished, even more than what she’d felt in Joss’s team, and that was the closest she’d ever gotten to belonging.

“Thank you,” she said, her smile genuine. “That sounds perfect.”

“We’ll leave for the condo after lunch to get there by nightfall so that I can help you move.”

That wasn’t going to work at all. “I don’t have many things, just a couple of travel bags. I can bring them over myself.”

She thought he was going to argue, but he nodded indulgently. “Very well. I’ll take care of business while you pack.” His face clouded over again. “There are a few problems I have to iron out.”

Back at the tree house that night, Maya activated her tablet, popped in her ear pods, and dialed Joss on the secure line. She had to be careful. Cesar was waiting downstairs. Tim wouldn’t budge on that condition. He insisted leaving her with a bodyguard while she packed. This was going to become a problem. Somehow she had to convince Cesar she didn’t need him on her ass every second of the day.

The line connected.

“Joss?” she said in a low voice, keeping an eye on the door.

Joss’s voice boomed in her ear. “Why are you whispering?”

“Tim’s bodyguard is downstairs.”

“Are you in danger?”

“No.” She hesitated. If she told Joss about Tim and that he’d marked her, Joss was going to call her back to France. “I found a way into Tim’s house.”

“Without sacrificing your safety?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me your plan. I can’t put a satellite link on you. You’ll be unprotected if you go in.”

“I’m moving in with him.”

“What?” His voice was so loud, she had to mute the sound. “You’re joking, right?”

“Dead serious.”

“Maya, you’re crazy. It’s too dangerous.”

“It’s the only way, Joss. I’ll keep my cover.”

“How are we going to communicate if you live in the lion’s fucking den?”

“I’ll contact you from the dive center. I’ll keep my tablet there.”

“I don’t like this.”

“I’m not asking if you like it. I’m telling you I won’t be able to call in as frequently as agreed.”

“No.”

“Oh, come on, Joss. How else am I supposed to get the info if I can’t get close to him?”

“Cain isn’t going to like this.”

“Cain cares about the results, as I do, and so should you.”

“Yeah, well, call me soft, but I care about my team. That includes you.”

“Thanks for the cyber hug, Joss. I’ll be fine.”

“You’re going to sleep with him, aren’t you?” When she said nothing, he continued, “You don’t have to do it, not for your job.”

“Have I ever done anything I didn’t want to?”

“Yes. When I give you an order.”

“So don’t tell me no on this. It’s the only way.”

“I’ll come over there and haul your ass out if I have to.”

That was what she was worried about. “Shut up. You have Clelia to worry about. How’s she doing?” she asked to change the subject.

“Very pregnant.”

She could hear the pride in Joss’s voice. They’d been devastated when they’d found out that all mothers possessing one of the seven forbidden arts died during childbirth and ecstatic when Kat had provided them with the formula for the cure. They’d started trying for a baby immediately, and Clelia had fallen pregnant a few months later.

“Not driving you insane yet?” Maya asked.

“She’s not having any cravings.” Joss sounded disappointed.

She could imagine he’d love any opportunity to be his wife’s knight in shining armor, riding out in the middle of the night to fetch her chocolate ice cream or candy apples. Joss was a protective bastard. She couldn’t even start to imagine what he was like now that Clelia was expecting his baby. Then again, Tim was a lot like Joss in that regard. The thought hurt. She almost had someone she could call her own, like Joss and Lann did.