The Girl Next Door (Shadow Agents #6)(44)
Author: Cynthia Eden

And her bedroom window was wide open.

“I came out the front,” Thomas continued doggedly. “I was with you, but whoever did this, he’s getting away.”

Thomas started to advance toward them.

Dylan fired his weapon.

* * *

THE RINGING PHONE woke Cooper, yanking him from a dream. He’d been running in that dream, desperately trying to get close to Gabrielle.

The loud ringing came again, and his eyes snapped open. The dream vanished.

Gabrielle was in his arms. Safe.

And the phone wasn’t stopping.

“Cooper?” Her voice was husky, sexy. “Has something happened?”

A call at this hour had to mean something had gone wrong. He grabbed for the phone. “Marshall.”

There was a murmur of voices. Then, “Rachel’s hurt. The rogue went after her. Her.” Dylan’s voice shook.

“She’s alive.” Cooper worried his clenched grip would shatter the phone. But Dylan had said hurt, not dead.

“Barely,” was Dylan’s low whisper. “We’re in the ER, and I’m not leaving her. I found Thomas Anthony at her place.”

The Dragon?

“She’s bad,” Dylan told him, and Cooper heard the pain and fear in the other man’s voice. “I’m not sure she’ll make it—”

“I’m on my way,” Cooper promised.

“No! Don’t come here—get to the EOD. Mercer took Thomas in for questioning after I shot the bastard.”

Wait—Dylan had shot him?

“Get to the EOD.” Dylan’s voice grated over the line. “Find out the truth. Thomas swore he was innocent—”

But obviously Dylan hadn’t bought that story, or he wouldn’t have shot the guy.

“Prove his innocence or prove his guilt,” Dylan ordered.

Cooper looked to the left. He found Gabrielle’s wide eyes on him. “I will.” He ended the call and just stared at Gabrielle for a moment.

“What is it?” Worry shone in her eyes.

Cooper swallowed. “We were wrong about you being the next target. The rogue attacked Rachel.”

She inhaled on a sharp gasp.

“She’s alive, but Dylan said she’s badly hurt.” He didn’t tell her that Dylan wasn’t sure if Rachel would survive.

She has to survive.

If she didn’t, Cooper wasn’t sure how Dylan would react.

He climbed from the bed and grabbed his clothes. “There’s a suspect in custody at the EOD. I’m going down for an interrogation.”

“And I’m coming with you.” She jumped out of bed, giving him one fine view of her body before she started yanking on clothes.

He hesitated. “Gabrielle, you know I can’t just take you to the EOD office.”

She shoved back her hair. “Then blindfold me. Do whatever you have to do.” Gabrielle walked toward him with her gaze snapping. “But you aren’t leaving me behind, partner.”

No, a partner wouldn’t leave her behind.

He caught the back of her head and pulled her toward him. He kissed her, hard, fast and frantic, because he had to.

He knew Dylan must be in sheer hell right then.

And the thought of something like that happening to Gabrielle, of someone hurting her… “Damn straight you’re coming with me,” he said.

Twenty-four seven. That had been their deal. He wasn’t going to break any more promises to Gabrielle. He needed her to know that she could count on him.

For now.

Forever.

Cooper didn’t plan on leaving her when the mission was over. He’d found something special with Gabrielle, and he wasn’t about to let her go.

She gave him a little nod. He finished dressing and grabbed his gun, then his fingers twined with hers.

He hurried to the door, yanked it open.

And found Deuce standing there. Deuce nodded when he saw Cooper. The guy gave Gabrielle a wan smile. “I’m here for guard duty,” he said with a little shrug.

Cooper frowned at him. “What?”

“You’re wanted at headquarters.” Now Deuce was the one who frowned. “Didn’t Dylan call you? Hell, I know he was messed up about Rachel, but Mercer wanted you to come in—”

“—for the interrogation,” Cooper finished. “I know, we’re going there now.”

Deuce shook his head. “No, you’re going.” He glanced at Gabrielle. “Sorry, ma’am, but your clearance isn’t high enough. The big boss sent me over to keep an eye on you until Cooper gets back.”

Gabrielle stiffened. “Clearance or no clearance, I’m going with Cooper.”

A long sigh came from Deuce. “Civilians never understand, do they, Coop?” He rolled back his shoulders. “Want me to give you two some privacy while you explain things to her? Make it fast, though, okay, buddy? Mercer isn’t exactly patient.”

Cooper hesitated.

“She’ll be waiting when you come back,” Deuce said as he turned away. “You know it. They’re always waiting…”

No, they weren’t. Sometimes you turned away—for a mission, for just a moment, and you looked back, and the one you loved was gone.

Loved.

His chest ached as Cooper stared down at Gabrielle. When had he started to love her? He hadn’t loved anyone, or anything, not since he’d lost his mother.

Gone, in an instant.

The back of his hand brushed over Gabrielle’s cheek.

“Cooper?” She gazed at him, waiting.

Did she think he’d leave her? That he’d break his promise to her?

“I want you to trust me,” he said softly, needing her to understand. “I gave you my word. I won’t go back on it, not ever again.” Then he raised his voice, making sure Deuce could hear him as he said, “I’ll call Mercer and let him know—”

The bullet hit Cooper, driving into his side and tearing through his body. Gabrielle screamed even as Cooper felt his body falling.

“You should’ve just left her,” Deuce snapped. “Then I could have taken you out, one at a time, all nice and slow, just like I planned.”

Cooper tried to pull his gun from the holster. Blood pumped from him, soaking the floor.

“Cooper!” Gabrielle reached for him.

He jerked out his weapon.

But Cooper didn’t get the chance to fire that weapon. Because Deuce grabbed Gabrielle, and the man who’d worked side by side with Cooper pressed his gun to Gabrielle’s temple.