Chapter 7

Gray's gaze trailed over Lena as they walked downstairs. Her dark hair swished behind her, the sexy floral scent she wore filling the air between them. He'd never been particularly chatty, but he kept to himself more than ever since that fateful mission. Maybe that was partly what drew him to this woman. Lena wasn't overly talkative either. She wouldn't pry him for details he didn't want to share about his captivity or ask him to recount memories he wanted to forget. Gray felt an odd sense of peace around her. It was strange considering he didn't actually know too much about her.

He did, however, know exactly what it felt like to hold her in his arms.

The more time Gray spent with Lena, the fewer reasons he had to stay away. Lena might think she was masking her emotions most of the time, but Gray saw the uncertainty she had. The very real fear she kept hidden beneath the surface. And damn if that defenselessness didn't call out to him even more. She wasn't helpless. Far from it. But while Lena might be independent, content to move through life alone, he didn't miss the flush on her cheeks when he was near. Gray affected her. Even now, her breath had hitched as his hand landed on the small of her back, guiding her toward downstairs.

Gray swallowed.

He liked the idea of keeping her close. He couldn't exactly spend the night with her even if he wanted to, not with the nightmares that tormented him. If Gray awoke, thrashing around and forgetting where he was, Lena couldn't be anywhere near him.

His fists clenched. All the more reason he kept to himself since his Army days. Lena was too good for a quick fuck. If he ever made love to her, he'd want her close all night, her naked body pressed against his own.

He could never risk it.

Noise came from the stairwell above them, and he glanced up, Lena looking back as well. Sam and Luke were ambling down the stairs, Sam with a shit-eating grin on his face when he spotted Gray and Lena together.

"What's up, buddy?" Sam asked with a smirk. Any other comments would no doubt be saved for later. Neither of the men would razz him about Lena with her standing right there. "Lena," Sam added, shooting her a smile.

"We're heading to the armory," Gray said. "Did you two miss me already?"

"Sorry, but Lena's way prettier than you," Sam joked. "And yes, I'm hella happy with Ava, just pointing out who we'd rather see down here."

"We're hitting the gym," Luke said.

Lena tensed ever so slightly, her mind no doubt on the other night. "I got the door," Gray said quietly, reaching around her to pull it open. He shot a pointed look at his teammates, and Sam's smile slid off his face. Both of them knew about the asshole from IT. It wasn't like the kidnapping she'd endured, but the man had put his hands on her.

"Is Anna feeling okay?" Luke asked when they were in the hallway. "Jett seemed anxious to get her home."

Lena frowned. "She said her morning sickness was better, but I think she's been really tired."

"Which is why we're down here," Gray said, his voice even. "Lena's doing some of the inventory, so we'll catch you guys later."

Lena kept close to him as they moved toward the armory door, and Gray hated that she was nervous. Briefly, Gray wondered what could've happened if he wasn't there the other night. Lena was a beautiful woman, and some men couldn't take no for an answer. Given that he was new here, he likely had no idea about the kidnapping. While the media had revealed that several women were being held inside the home, no identifying details about Lena or Kaylee were included.

He swiped his badge, keying in the code, and then they were moving inside the armory, the heavy door swinging shut behind them.

"Are you okay?" Gray asked as a brief look of panic crossed her face.

"Of course." But her hands were tightly clutching the papers she held. She took a deep breath, seemingly steeling herself against whatever memories were coursing through her mind.

Gray cleared his throat. "Would you rather I do the inventory alone?" he asked.

"No." Her eyes met his, pleading. "And don't tell Jett."

"Tell him what?" Gray said with a shrug. It was a casual movement, but he felt anything but relaxed. His entire body was rigid, his pulse pounding. Aside from the ass cornering Lena against the armory door the other night, she'd been kidnapped two weeks ago. Forced inside an SUV by Cronin and Levins. Tied to a bed by Ivan Rogers. While Gray thought she probably needed more time off to process everything that had happened, Jett said she insisted on returning to the office. She was strong as hell for coming back to work this soon. Gray knew what it was like to go on living when your entire world had been altered. Nothing was the same for him after he'd been tortured. His broken ribs and bruises had healed. The open cuts on his back were scars now, usually something he could ignore.

But the nightmares? The feeling of being trapped and helpless, unable to move? Those were tougher to deal with.

Gray didn't press her for additional details. If he didn't want to share his own memories of being held in captivity, why the hell would Lena want to tell him more than what she already had? She'd talk about it if she wanted to, and Gray would be here for her if that happened.

Lena sucked in a breath, accidentally dropping the papers she'd been holding, the sheets fluttering to the ground.

Gray crouched down, gathering them up for her. "Is this everything you need to inventory?" he asked, trying to turn her attention to something other than her memories.

She nodded, her expression unreadable. Lena was throwing up her shields again, pulling away. She reached out and took one of the papers from his hand. Sparks shot through him as their fingers accidentally brushed, and he could see her surprised reaction as well. He hesitated, half tempted to pull her close like he had the other night when they were alone in her bedroom. She looked like she was trying to hold herself together right now.

"Let's get started," she said, her voice shaky.

Gray tamped down his emotions and nodded before turning away, moving toward the section that housed the items he needed. "I'll start with everything on this page," he said, his voice husky. Fuck if he didn't want to pull her into his arms and wipe that fear off her face. He felt Lena's eyes on him, but he got to work, burying whatever needed to be said.

After a moment, he heard her movement, Lena checking the supplies on her list as well, making notes for what needed to be ordered.

"Do you really think you'll be able to find Ivan Rogers?" Lena asked after a few minutes. She'd gone still, and Gray's head swiveled in her direction.

"Yes."

"But how can you be sure? I'm constantly afraid he's out there somewhere, looking for me. I was stalked before by an ex, and it's a horrible feeling."

The rage Gray instantly felt burned hot and bright. If her asshole of an ex wasn't already rotting away in jail, Gray would go find the bastard himself. He tried to rein in his anger, keeping his voice calm as he reassured Lena that she was safe.

"Ivan Rogers doesn't know we have a lead on his private jet flights. When the Feds raided his properties, they were able to obtain the names of the contacts he used to book planes. Private planes. There are no flight records with his name on commercial airliners because he doesn't use them. That goes for the men working for him, too. West will hack into the flight records to determine his most frequent destinations. He doesn't know we're gathering his flight information," Gray reiterated, his voice low. "While Ivan Rogers no doubt realizes his homes have been searched, his business dealings have been hidden for a long time. He had a big network of men working for him. The Feds hadn't been able to get any charges to stick against him in the past. He was careful. Meticulous in his work, letting his men take the fall. It burns me up that he kidnapped you and Kaylee, but now we have solid evidence against him. We're about to find where his business dealings are and blow that shit wide open. Ivan Rogers' days are numbered."

She let out a shaky breath.

"What are you thinking?" Gray asked, trying to keep his voice gentle.

"I just have a bad feeling," she murmured.

Gray studied her a moment. He knew all too well what it felt like to have his gut instincts telling him something was wrong. They'd been ambushed during their final mission, unable to protect themselves. The entire area of the desert had been too damn quiet. Too still.

And then all hell had broken loose.

Lena and Kaylee had been ambushed in the hall of the coffee shop. It wasn't the same, yet it was. They hadn't been able to fight their captors, men bigger and stronger than they were. Lena had a knife held to her throat as she'd been hauled away. She'd had her freedom taken from her, her free will.

"It's normal to be afraid after going through an ordeal like that," he said. "It'll take time. And some things you never recover from," he added darkly.

Her eyes shone with tears as she looked at him, and then Gray was moving toward her, muttering a curse under his breath as he set the papers on the table. Lena went to him instantly, her arms gentle as she hugged him. He felt his chest clench. She remembered his scars. "It's okay," he soothed, feeling her soft curves press against him. "We're going to find him. I'll keep you safe."

She sniffled. "I was so scared the other night—until you came," she added, making his heart clench. Gray wasn't normally a soft man, but something about Lena made all his protective instincts roar to life. He wanted to make her feel safe and claim her as his own. Take her to bed and soothe away all those fears, making her forget everything but him.

"I'll come stay over again." It wasn't a question. Gray would do everything in his power to make her feel comfortable in her home. He was already kicking himself for not adding more security cameras. She had the one on her doorbell, but Lena's home and fenced-in yard backed up to a wooded lot. She insisted she was okay, and he of all people should've seen past that.

"I can't ask you to do that."

Gray pulled back, cocking a brow at her. "Why the hell not? Besides, you didn't ask me. I just offered."

"Because…just because."

His lips quirked. Lena looked so damn cute when she was flustered. Normally, she was pulled together and poised. It made his chest fill with male pride at the way she reacted to him. He affected her. And hell if he didn't love the way she responded to him. Gray brushed back a strand of her silky hair, noting the hint of pink spreading across her cheeks. "That's not a reason," he said, his gaze intense as he looked at her.

Lena's chest rose and fell, her breasts pressing against the silky blouse she wore. Her curves were feminine and gorgeous, and his hands itched to explore all of them. The air seemed to grow thick between them, and he had to force himself to remain in place, to not move in and kiss the hell out of her right now.

"What's happening?" she asked softly.

Gray turned that thought over in his mind, not sure how much he wanted to reveal. "I haven't dated a woman since my Army days," he finally said. "I've been dealing with my own troubles, but I've noticed you, Lena. Ever since I first joined the guys on the team. And while I've kept my distance for a variety of reasons, I'm not sure I can stay away from you anymore."

Her breath hitched, but there was no fear in her eyes. Her cheeks were flushed, her rosy lips parted. His gaze dropped to them briefly, wondering what she tasted like. He wanted to taste her all over, learning her body with his hands and mouth. His tongue. He'd tease and explore her soft skin, feminine curves, and that sweet spot between her parted thighs until she was panting. Breathless. Begging him to make her come.

"I don't want you to stay away."

"Thank God," he murmured. Gray moved slowly so as not to spook her, but then his hands were in her hair, tilting her head back, and his lips were on hers. Lena whimpered and submitted to him, clutching onto his shirt, letting Gray take complete control. Her mouth was soft and so fucking sweet. Her lips parted, and then his tongue was sliding inside. Claiming. He lightly thrust it in and out, foreshadowing exactly what he'd do when they made love.

She pressed even closer to him, her full breasts pillowing against his chest, and Gray was certain she could feel his throbbing erection against her stomach. She made a tiny whimper but didn't pull away, and Gray wanted to roar in approval.

Lena tasted sweet, like strawberries and caramel, and just one quick taste already had him rock hard. She was sexy as hell in her snug, silky blouse and tight skirt, not to mention those heels, but it was more than that. Lena was strong yet innocent somehow, despite the hell she'd been through. Gray hated that she'd endured any of it, but he was so damn thankful she was okay and here in his arms.

He kissed her more deeply, one muscled arm wrapping around her. Lena's hands moved from their grip on the front of his shirt to his biceps. Her nails dug into his skin, and he liked the slight bite of pain. It reminded him he was alive. Gray was a survivor, too.

The beep beep sound of someone typing in the code to the armory had them both stepping back, and a wave of possessiveness washed over him as he took in Lena's flushed cheeks and disheveled appearance. She was already smoothing her hair and her skirt, but her lips looked swollen from his heated kisses. Gray turned away from the door so no one could see his erection pressing against his pants. Lena's eyes widened in surprise, and then she grabbed the papers they'd set down and stepped in front of him, all business.

"I'll get these numbers to Jett," she said, walking briskly to the door as Ford came in. He looked surprised to see them both inside the armory. Gray glanced back at the boxes on the shelf in front of him. He had no idea what the fuck was inside.

"Am I interrupting something?" Ford asked as Lena disappeared into the hall, the door swinging shut behind her.

Gray removed a box from the shelf, pretending to inspect it. "Nope. We were just finishing up."

"Sure thing, man," Ford said with a chuckle.

Gray muttered a curse.

"You two are good for each other," Ford said. "You both might have your own demons, but that doesn't mean you don't deserve to be happy." Gray glanced over his shoulder again at Ford, studying his teammate. It was a surprisingly insightful thing to say. He and his buddies didn't usually chat about shit like this. "You're happier when she's around. Don't deny it."

"Who's denying it?" Gray asked. He shoved the box back on the shelf and strode to the door, not saying another word as he stalked out of the armory. He didn't blame Lena for rushing off given Ford's sudden arrival, but he needed to make sure she was okay. Gray hadn't planned on kissing her like that, claiming her with his mouth and tongue, but hell. He didn't regret it one bit. And judging from the pretty flush on her face and arousal in her eyes before she'd hurried off, Lena didn't have an issue with it either.

"You got some of Lena's lipstick on you, buddy!" Ford called out.

Gray cursed, listening to his friend's laughter as the door swung shut. They weren't fooling anyone, but he didn't think he gave a shit if the whole world knew. Lena's kidnapping had changed everything. He wasn't content to sit in the shadows watching life go by anymore.