Hard to Be Good (Hard Ink #3.5) Read Online Free PDF Page B

‘til this is over.”
    Charlie’s stomach tossed. Would they consider him a civilian? Or would he stay since Marz needed his help with the cyber side of their investigation? One thing was for sure, Charlie didn’t want to go. He didn’t want to leave the group that had saved him. And he sure as heck didn’t want to leave Jeremy, the truest friend he’d had in a long time.
    Silence stretched out for a long moment, and then everyone started talking at once.
    “I’m not leaving as long as there’s a chance any of you will need medical treatment,” Becca said. She was an ER nurse and had been working with Shane, who had medic training from the Army, whenever any of them got hurt. Which was often. Hell, Shane and Easy both still wore bandages from gunshot wounds they’d received in a shootout with Emilie’s brother at her house two days before.
    “We may be civilians, Nick,” Kat said, “but we can still help. You’re going to need bodies to man the snipers’ roosts, for one.”
    Sara pushed her long red waves behind her ears. “I don’t want to leave. I thought the purpose of Detective Vance’s roadblock was so that we could all stay here. Together.”
    Among both the men and women, a chorus of agreement rose up in support of staying.
    “Okay, okay,” Nick said. “I don’t want to split us up either, but it was worth the discussion.” He pulled Becca against him and kissed her forehead. Relief flooded through Charlie at Nick’s words.
    “Well, I don’t mind going,” Jess said, looking from Nick to Jeremy. “I’m sorry. But last night really freaked me out. I was so sure they were going to find me, and then . . .” She shook her head. “I can’t even imagine what would’ve happened if they had.”
    “But where will you go?” Jeremy asked, taking her hand.
    “To my place outside of town,” Ike said. “No one besides the Ravens knows about it, so it’s a good safe house.”
    Jess nodded. “You’re sure you don’t mind, Ike?”
    His gaze narrowed and his jaw ticked. “Let’s go. Now.”
    Jess turned to Jeremy. “Be careful,” she whispered as she threw her arms around his neck. She did the same with Nick.
    Ike crossed to Dare, but Charlie couldn’t hear their exchange. And then Ike and Jess said their final good-byes and took off.
    “Jesus,” Jeremy said, rubbing his forehead.
    Charlie wished he was brave enough to go to the guy and offer him a hug, because he looked like he was starving for it. “I’m sorry,” Charlie said, staring up at Jeremy’s handsome face.
    Jeremy gave him a nod. “Thanks. It just doesn’t end, does it?”
    Charlie rose to stand in front of Jeremy, and he had to ball his fists against the urge to rest them on Jeremy’s chest or wind them around his neck. “It will. Don’t give up.”
    Jeremy’s pale green eyes met Charlie’s for a long moment, and then he took a deep breath and nodded. “I won’t. Thanks.” Jeremy gave him a look that seemed like he wanted to say something more, but instead he just clapped him on the shoulder.
    The heat of Jer’s touch, casual as it was, lit a slow burn all through Charlie’s body. After getting so close to kissing Jeremy, he couldn’t seem to rein in his desire where the other man was concerned.
    “All right, go chill out for a while,” Nick said, pulling Charlie from his thoughts. “Marz and Charlie will let you know when they’re ready for people to dive into the documents. And Beckett, Jeremy, and Dare will get the snipers’ roosts set up.” Nick raked a hand through his hair. His other arm remained around Becca.
    For the first time, Charlie envied what they had—how easy it was, how natural, how open. As much of a hard-ass as Nick was, he never hesitated to show her affection in front of the other guys.
    Charlie wanted that. He wanted that acceptance, that desire, that togetherness. Just once in his life.
    The room finally cleared out except for Marz, Emilie, Nick, and Kat, who lingered on the