Free Confessions by Carol Lynne Page B

couldn’t think of a
    better way to throw the agency off track than to hack the
    systems needed while in the DC area.
    “Wil I be safe here?” Luke asked.
    “You know how to shoot?”
    “Yeah. I mean, I’m not in your league or anything, but
    I’ve gone hunting before.”
    What the hell am I doing? Priest released Luke and
    walked into the kitchen. Luke was in the business of saving
    people. How could Priest have dragged Luke into a life that
    might require him to take a life?
    Priest opened the fridge and pul ed out a can of beer.
    He rarely drank. Liquor dul ed the senses and he couldn’t
    remember a single time in his adult life that he hadn’t
    needed to be in ful control. He’d asked the manager to
    deliver a twelve pack along with the groceries, knowing
    Luke enjoyed the stuff.
    Taking his drink to the kitchen table, Priest pul ed out
    a chair. He heard Luke wander into the room, but didn’t turn
    around. “I keep tel ing myself I should break things off and
    send you home.”
    Luke appeared at his side, beer in hand, naked as
    the day he was born. He climbed on top of the table in front
    of Priest and took a swig of his beer. “Why?”
    Looking at the expanse of beautiful y inked skin,
    Priest found it difficult to think clearly. “I’m afraid of putting
    you in the position of kil ing someone,” he admitted.
    “I’ve done it before.” Luke tipped his can back and
    took a long swal ow. “I’m not as innocent as you think I am.”
    “Bul shit. Not being able to save someone’s life isn’t
    the same as kil ing them.” Priest set his drink on the table.
    He needed his hands free to touch, and Luke’s gorgeous
    body nearly begged for it. The idea of Luke believing he’d
    kil ed someone by not saving them set his teeth on edge.
    “If I confess something I’ve never told a living soul,
    would you trust me enough to tel me what’s real y going
    on?” Luke asked, spreading his legs.
    Priest shook his head. “I only hear confessions from
    men destined to die. You aren’t one of those men.” There
    was nothing Luke could confess that would come close to
    Priest’s sins.
    “Is that why they cal you Priest?” Luke asked.
    “Yes.” He ran his hand up Luke’s thigh to encircle his
    hardening cock. It’s time, he told himself.
    “There was a woman here in Virginia that I was hired
    to kil ,” Priest began. As he told Luke the entire story, he
    continued to stroke Luke’s body. Luke’s brow furrowed as
    Priest broke every rule in the book by giving him detailed
    information on a hit.
    Once he was finished, he pushed his chair back,
    stood and kissed Luke softly on the lips. “That’s it. You
    know everything I know about the situation I’m faced with.”
    “We’re faced with,” Luke corrected.
    Priest rested his hands on his hips. “You’re stil
    determined to stay even knowing what you do about me?”
    “I won’t lie, I’m scared shitless, but not of you. I can’t
    pretend to understand what you’re going through. You
    trusted these people to give you accurate information, but
    now you’re blaming yourself for something that wasn’t your
    fault.” Luke reached up and placed his hands on Priest’s
    chest. “Maybe I’m completely out of my mind, but I’d be
    real y pissed if I were you.”
    “I am, but that might be a good thing. I’ve wanted to
    quit for a while. Although I wouldn’t have chosen to go out
    like this, at least I’l either be dead or free by Christmas.”
    Luke wrapped his arms and legs around Priest. “I
    vote for free. Why don’t you try cal ing that guy, Jeffries, you
    told me about. I bet if you told him you wanted out he’d
    understand.”
    “He keeps leaving me messages, but I haven’t
    listened to them,” Priest admitted. He picked Luke up and
    carried him out of the kitchen.
    “Why?”
    “Bedroom?” Priest asked.
    Luke pointed towards the other side of the living
    room. “There’re two. I put my stuff in the one with the big
    window