Radiant Surrender (CSA Case Files Book 6) Read Online Free PDF

to disclose.” Crest placed his mug on the counter behind him and then settled back, watching her closely. It wasn’t in the manner that she used to catch him staring at her when they worked together. This was a how will she handle what’s coming next look. Feeling absolutely helpless that her family was forced to deal with what had just transpired without her, she wasn’t sure she wanted to hear anything else. “There’s a specific reason your parents’ past has come to light and it’s connected to the federal warrant that’s been issued for your arrest.”
    “Why is all this happening to my family?”
    Jessie just wanted a straight answer. Her life was finally on course with a new position at the local FBI field office in downtown Minneapolis, an apartment at Elan Uptown that she loved, friends she enjoyed nights out with, and although things hadn’t quite worked out the way she’d thought they would with Gavin…she was content with her personal growth. It had taken her a while to get to this point. Seeing him again had everything imploding before her very eyes and she could feel her life spiraling out of control once again.
    “In one word? Ryland.”
    “Ryland?” Jessie brought her hands down until they were flat with the granite countertop. The coolness seeped into her palms but did little to put out the flames of fury that the name produced. “Ryland is doing this? Why? I thought Taryn and Ethan had neutralized him once they’d discovered his true identity.”
    “Keeping with the original plan and making this the point—the CIA had a hand in making Ryland into the man he is. The Agency doesn’t want their duplicity revealed to the public since they’ve often used his services to eliminate foreign and domestic government officials who didn’t see things the organization’s way. The CIA is using you to discredit me and dismantle everything that I’ve built, as well as keep me occupied while they figure out how to eradicate this threat.”
    “But I don’t work for you anymore. Why would they use me?”
    “You are a former employee, as well as having made it known that you had more of a personal interest in…” Gavin put forth an effort of finishing his explanation with a small motion of his hand before placing it back on his arm. Jessie might be struggling with everything that was being thrown her way, but he didn’t get to just pass off their attraction as if it were a bug to be waved away. “The CIA does their homework, Jessie. These agents aren’t tenderfoots and they knew I wouldn’t allow anything to happen to you as a valued friend.”
    “Then they must have uncovered that you wanted me sexually.” Jessie wouldn’t allow him to deny his feelings. He didn’t get to do that. This wasn’t the time nor place to bring up their past, but there were certain things she wouldn’t stand for him minimizing. She slipped off of the stool but kept the counter in between them as she refocused on her dilemma. “Help me understand this. If you already know what the CIA tried to prevent you from uncovering then why are we standing here? Do whatever it is you do to fix these types of situations so that I can be with my family.”
    “It’s not that simple, Jessie.” Gavin dropped his arms to his sides as he pushed off of the sink and closed the distance between them. Although he stayed on the opposite side of the counter, she inhaled his understated spicy fragrance that somehow was only distinct to his body chemistry. It distracted her slightly and given that she needed all of her faculties she leaned back away from his personal space. “Ryland won’t release the names of his targets that they contracted him to eliminate unless I manage to produce a full pardon for his crimes from the president of the United States.”
    Jessie felt as if she’d taken a blow to her chest and the air came out of her in a whoosh. A cold settled into her bones that she’d never experienced before. There wasn’t