Rewarded by Jo Davis Read Free Book Online Page B

It was clear he really didn’t. “I’ll wait to hear from you, then.”
    “You will, I promise.”
    Gray and Simon walked up just then, carrying their own bags. Their SUV was parked out front, behind the limo. There was an uncomfortable moment of silence before Gray stepped forward and enveloped her in a bear hug, which she returned.
    “Take care, Anna,” he said hoarsely.
    “I will, and I’ll call.”
    “I’ll be waiting.”
    Letting him go, she went to Joaquin and hugged him as well, and was held tightly in his arms for a long moment. “Thank you for everything,” she said. “Really, the first part of my stay was wonderful.”
    “I’m glad.” His voice wavered. “Keep in touch.”
    “Promise.”
    There was no more stalling. She walked out to the car, looked around one last time, waved to Gray, Joaquin, Simon, and Rio. Then she climbed in and Henry shut the door, came around, and started the limo. As he pulled away, she couldn’t resist looking back at the mansion fading in the distance.
    She wondered whether she’d ever be back. And if she returned, if it would be as a friend or a lover. Anna simply didn’t know.
    Because they were traveling to the same city, Gray’s SUV followed the limo all the way back to New York, and she found that to be an unexpected comfort. Maybe because of what she’d been through, she liked knowing Gray was there. He was literally a phone call away, even at home.
    More like a few steps from the door of her apartment. With a start, she wondered if he still lived in her building, or if that ended when the case was over. She should have asked, but figured she’d find out soon enough.
    Despite her fatigue, she couldn’t get her brain to stop whirling long enough to take a nap. So she gazed at the scenery until at last the limo pulled to a stop outside her building. Looking around, she noted the SUV was gone, and she felt a stab of disappointment. Perhaps Gray and Simon had to go back to FBI headquarters and write reports on everything that had happened. For some reason, not knowing bugged her.
    Henry went up with her, carrying her suitcase, and waited as she unlocked the door. After placing the case just inside, he turned and gave her a small smile.
    “Take care of yourself, Miss Claire. We’re going to miss having you around.”
    “You too, Henry. I’m going to miss all of you, too, but I’ll see you again.” Maybe.
    Impulsively, she gave him a hug, causing him to blush. That made her laugh as he bid her good-bye and left. Her humor lasted until she realized she was finally home. Alone, it seemed. A quick check showed the apartment was empty, her mother who’d been house-sitting off somewhere.
    No, not completely alone. In her bedroom, on the center of the bed, a little silver ball of fluff stood and stretched. Then spotted her and gave a plaintive
meow
, as though scolding her for being gone.
    “Sterling! Come here, kitty,” she crooned, sitting on the bed. “I’ve missed you.”
    He hurried over, crawling into her lap, where she scooped him up and held him close, listening to him purr. She rubbed her face in his soft fur, soaking up his unconditional love, his sweetness—and the tears started. They wouldn’t be stopped, and she cried, so lost in misery that she didn’t hear her mother return.
    “Anna, you’re home!” Margaret exclaimed in happiness from the doorway. “When did you get here? Wait, are you crying?”
    Raising her head, she looked at her mother through watery eyes. “Oh, Mom.”
    The older woman crossed the room quickly, putting an arm around her shoulders and simply letting her cry for the longest time without prying. It must have been some sort of record for her mother, who wasn’t exactly the most subtle or patient of people when she wanted answers.
    She didn’t speak until Anna’s crying had been reduced to hiccups. Her voice was soft. “When you came home, I expected to see you tanned and relaxed, maybe with some new insight into