“Two sugars,” she said.
“At least one thing hasn’t changed.” He said it so low she almost didn’t hear. Did he remember how she took her coffee after all these years?
When everyone else went crazy over those poured-on sugar lattes with caramel and any number of other sweet things poured in, she’d always been a strong coffee with a little cream and two sugars girl.
He turned and caught her staring. She immediately dropped her gaze to the Birchwood flooring.
“I’m sure you have questions.” He walked to her, standing so close she could feel his body heat. He handed over the mug. Their fingers grazed and pure fire scorched from contact like it had been simmering, ready to strike.
She nodded and took a sip of the warm brew without making eye contact. The coffee was perfect. “I don’t even know where to start.”
He stepped away from her and reclaimed his earlier spot. He planted his hands on the table and leaned over the paper. This close, she could see that he’d been scribbling some notes. “I have a guy who is poring over your book to see what could possibly have brought this on. Your friend said you had no idea what was going on, but he was helpful in providing details of threats.”
“You spoke to Blake?” she quickly asked.
“Not directly, no.” He looked up at her and he was devastatingly handsome. “He fielded the threats. He’s already read the book and we wanted first impressions. My guy will hopefully find something. As far as Justified goes we don’t know much about them. You know your book better than anyone. What’s in there that could upset a terror cell?”
She blew out a breath. “I’m a European History teacher. I don’t write about politics, at least, not as in current events. I racked my brain in the shower trying to think what could cause some terrorist group to come after me, to try to silence me but I came up empty. I’m sorry that I’m not more help.”
“We have a team of people used to dealing with groups like these who are on the job and none of them have discovered a connection yet, either.” He glanced up at her. “Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
Kinsley took another sip of coffee. “The location today. I’m assuming that means something to The Russian.”
Gabriel nodded. “It makes a statement.”
“They already got my attention. Who else would care?” she asked.
“The country. A professor is killed on the steps of the presidential library where the nation’s foremost exhibit on terrorism is housed and that doesn’t say we can get you any time, anywhere?” The question was rhetorical. “It’s not The Russian’s typical style. He doesn’t normally do high-profile, which makes me wonder if anything else is at play here.”
Kinsley took another sip of coffee. There was no amount of caffeine that could jolt her into understanding Gabriel’s world.
“And that’s where the story tanks,” he said. “There’s a piece missing from view and I can’t figure out what.”
Gabriel fisted his hands and then leaned on his knuckles for support.
“You mentioned Blake before. How is he?” She twisted her fingers together.
“He’s resting. Morphine’s on a pump so he won’t be in any pain.” Gabriel’s gaze suddenly intensified on the paper. “He’ll be fine. It’ll take some time for his body to heal but the doc is optimistic for a full recovery.”
Relief washed over her as she took another sip, trying to clear her mind and refocus.
“When was the last time you ate something?” He was staring at her hands, which she realized were shaky.
“Lunch, I guess. Why? I’m not hungry.” Food was the last thing on her mind right now. She doubted she could get a bite down.
“You need nourishment.” He walked over to his backpack on the couch and returned with a power bar. “This will keep your stomach from revolting. Think you can manage a few bites?”
He set it next to her coffee mug.
“I can try.” She didn’t dare look at him when he was standing this close. His masculine presence already caused her pulse to pound and her stomach to feel a freefall sensation. “Thank you.”
He squeezed her shoulder. The move was meant to reassure her. She could tell by his touch. But it sent rockets of electricity shooting through her instead.
The air turned cold the minute he moved to the other side of the table.
Gabriel flexed his fingers before raking them through his hair. Had touching her had the same effect on him? She couldn’t deny that a piece of her wanted it to even though she doubted it. He’d been all business so far. But even if he did, so what? A few joules couldn’t erase their past. Besides, she thought she’d known Gabriel all those years ago. She didn’t. And she sure as hell didn’t know this man standing across the table from her. This was hardly the time to talk about their past.
Kinsley managed a few bites of the bar. She expected it to taste like eating dirt but it had more of a peanut butter flavor. The chunks of chocolate helped make it even more palatable.
“You said we could stay the night here. Where do we go after this?” What she really wanted to ask was how much her life was about to change forever. Gabriel wouldn’t have the answer to that and if he did, she wasn’t sure she could handle knowing.
When life got to be too much in the past she’d learned to focus on her next step and not look too far ahead. All focusing on the future did was create more stress.
She took in a fortifying breath and tried to force the goose bumps on her arms to chill by force of willpower. Being so near Gabriel took a toll.
“I haven’t figured that part out yet.” He pushed off the table and walked into the kitchen
