The Midnight Hour - Brenda Jackson [91]
"I did hear from Hawk again," Drake said after taking a sip of his coffee.
She met his gaze, surprised. "You did? When?"
"While you were taking a bath."
Tori's eyes narrowed. "And why didn't you tell me?" she asked coolly, upset that he hadn't mentioned the call to her.
Drake leaned back in her chair and looked at her. "There was nothing to tell. He's still checking out a few leads. However, he did mention that an agent is missing."
Tori lifted a brow.
"He found out from Lucille that Tom Crowley didn't report for his assignment a week ago."
"Tom? Umm, that's interesting," Tori said, leaning back in her own chair. And from the way Drake was looking at her she knew he was remembering that she and Tom had dated once.
"Yes, I think it's interesting, too," Drake finally said, getting up and breaking into her thoughts. "Hawk also said the Agency is looking into his disappearance." He looked at her empty plate. "Are you sure you don't want any more pie?"
"Yes, I'm positive and I'll help with the dishes. It's the least I can do since you did all the cooking."
He glanced back over his shoulder at her on his way to the sink. "That's not necessary. Besides, I want to stay busy."
Tori studied him. "How are you feeling?"
He turned around and smiled. "You've asked me that five times already and my answer is still the same, Tori. I feel fine. If I didn' t know that I injected myself with that drug, I'd believe I imagined the whole thing."
"No side effects then?"
"No." He crossed the room to her and took her hand in his. "Hey, don't worry, I'll be fine."
A corner of Tori's lips flexed upward, annoyed, and she eased her hand from his. "This is nothing but a game to you, isn't it, Drake?"
He lifted a brow. "I don't think that being hunted down like an animal is a game for either of us, Tori."
She stood and crossed her arms over her chest. "But you enjoy the danger."
It was a statement more than a question so Drake decided to treat it as such. He shrugged. "I would enjoy it better if you weren't involved."
She glared at him. "It's okay for you to be at risk, but not for me. Is that it?"
"If I had my way, yes."
"Well, I don't like it. In fact the main reason I left the Agency is because I didn't want to take risks any longer. I decided I preferred living a safer life."
He narrowed his eyes at her. "Yeah, it's been real safe, hasn't it?"
When she just glared at him, he rubbed his chin as he studied her. "Is that why you didn't want me to know where you were after you left the Agency? You wanted a safer life and saw me as a threat to your tranquil existence?"
She met his gaze. No, actually she had seen him as a threat to her and her baby's tranquil existences. "Yes, that's the reason."
She watched his frown slowly form into a smile. She was surprised when he laughed. It was a deliciously rich sound that filled the room. She placed her hands on her hips. "What's so damn funny?"
"I found you anyway, Tori, and you were lucky that I did."
She took her hands off her hips, knowing he had a point. "Yes, well, just because you found me doesn't mean anything."
His dark face lit with a grin. "Oh, it means a lot. After last night I thought I made things pretty clear. You're mine now."
Her hands went back on her hips. "What do you mean, I'm yours?"
Drake shrugged. "Just what I said. Last night I claimed you in the best way a man can claim a woman he wants. Heart, body, and soul."
Tori glared at him again. "Oh, but weren't you a tad confused as to just who you were claiming?"
He crossed his arms over his chest. "No. Whether you're Sandy or Tori, no big deal."
Her anger