Free Exposed by Suzanne Ferrell Page A

tired of answering questions that only led to more questions, she let out a loud yawn.
    “That’s enough questions tonight, you two,” Sami said, standing and taking the mug from Sydney’s hands. “She needs to rest. Is there someone you can stay with? Family?”
    “She’s staying here,” Castello stated before she could reply.
    “I can get a hotel,” she said, struggling to her feet again. “I may not have a home, but I have money.”
    “Don’t argue. There’s a guest room here.” He said, coming to stand in front of her.
    She had to squint and raise her head to get a good look at him. “If I refuse, what will you do? Hold my cameras hostage again?”
    He didn’t answer, just quirked that one eyebrow upward again. He had a habit of doing that.
    She started to take a step around him and felt woozy.
    “How much whiskey?”
    “Enough.” Once more he scooped her up in his arms.
    “That’s cheating to get your way,” she muttered, resting her head on his shoulder, eyes closed.
    “We’ll see ourselves out,” Jake said from behind them and she swore she heard laughter in his voice.
    “Not funny.”
    “Not in the least.” Castello’s chest rumbled beneath her ear.
    She liked the sound. She liked the feel of his arms around her, and the warmth of his body against hers as he carried her up the stairs. Secure. Safe.
    Something she hadn’t felt since she was a child.
    “I’m not sleeping with you.”
    “Didn’t think so.”
    He adjusted his hold on her. She opened her eyes long enough to see him pull back the quilt and sheets. Then he set her on the bed. She toppled onto her side, barely registering that he knelt in front of her and took off her shoes before pulling the covers up to her chin.
     
    * * * * *
     
    “Whatever possessed him to just bring her to his house?” Sami asked as they walked to their SUV parked behind Castello’s in the driveway.
    “He said he acted on instinct after the house exploded,” Jake said, squeezing his wife’s hand a little tighter. “He doesn’t know anything about her other than Luke and Abby vouched for her. That and his Spidey-sense is bugging him to keep her close.”
    “The infamous Edgars male Spidey-sense ?” Sami stopped, holding his hand tight and forcing him to stop and look at her. She had a grin on her face.
    Jake shook his head at his wife. “Uh-uh, Samantha. Don’t go there.”
    Her grin deepened. “Don’t go where? That our big gruff Marshall might be in bigger trouble than he ever imagined?”
    Jake pulled her in close and gave her a quick, hot kiss. “Don’t read more into this than a highly-trained professional tuning into a situation that would normally have him protecting someone.”
    “If you say so,” she said, her eyes twinkling in the moonlight.
    He slipped his car keys into her hand. “You drive.”
    “Me? You’re actually going to let me drive the official FBI car?”
    He almost laughed at her reaction. “Yes. If there’s any civilian I’d trust with getting it home in one piece, it would be you.”
    She grinned again. This one more cocky than teasing. “I did get us out of some tight situations when we first met.”
    “Saved my ass more than once, as I recall.” He pulled her in tighter for another kiss.
    “And a fine ass it is,” she said, gripping one cheek.
    He laughed and pulled away.
    She was still grinning in the driver’s seat when he climbed in the passenger side. “And why the special chance to drive this souped-up baby?”
    “Because I have some phone calls to make.” He pulled out his phone as she backed out of the drive. Scrolling through the contacts, he landed on the one he should know by heart and pushed dial.
    It took a few rings before a gruff voice answered. “This better be good, rookie, the Cavs are on the cusp of winning over the Bulls.”
    Jake couldn’t help the grin, the old man had always had a love-hate relationship with the Cleveland basketball team. “Doyle, I’m going to need