Running Hot Read Online Free PDF Page A

need some alone time?” Ford asked.
    She could handle one of them, but the smartass overload from Ford was a bit much. She stopped glaring at him and faced Ward again. “Why did you bring him?”
    â€œHe usually has cash for beer.” Ward shot Ford a quick glance. “That sort of thing comes in handy.”
    She didn’t know whether to be impressed with Ward’s ability to joke or to be ticked off. The whole thing where he simultaneously scoped out the area while keeping just out of kicking range from her looked familiar. She’d been trained. He’d been trained. It made for difficult escape planning.
    But it was time to inch them toward some sort of resolution that didn’t include one or more of their bodies scattered on the ground. “Do you need that beer when you’re out here chasing down bad guys?”
    Ward stilled. “Who do you think I’m chasing?”
    She judged the distance between them one last time. She could lunge, and Ford would likely shoot her. Not a helpful solution. Still not an option, which was a damn shame.
    That left the new and even riskier tactic of compromise. She could work with them . . . or pretend to. She didn’t intend to tangle with other agents or share the credit with another country, but she doubted these two would skulk back to Langley quietly. At the very least, she could use their resources and the strength their double team provided. That meant confirming her position as an ally. A reluctant one, but still an ally.
    She looked from Ward to Ford and back again. Her gut told her to connect with Ward, though she feared some body parts other than her gut were guiding her decision. “Maybe there’s a man here, on this island, who shouldn’t be.”
    Silence whipped through the wooded area. Even the leaves seemed to stop rustling as she held her breath and waited to see what Ward would do.
    After a few more seconds he nodded. “That might be true.”
    Looks like they were definitely playing the same game. It was the only thing that stopped her from grabbing the tree trunk, spinning around, and nailing Ward in the chest with a roundhouse kick. “Maybe this man needs to be taken out before he destabilizes Fiji.”
    Ward stopped flipping her knife around. “Or starts playing with all the toys he brought here with him.”
    â€œYeah, maybe.” Those were the first words Ford said on the topic.
    With that, some of the tightness across her shoulders eased and the ticking at the base of her neck stopped. “Are you two ready to confirm you’re CIA?”
    Ford swore under his breath as she stared at Ward. “Apparently you suck at this work. She clearly made you before now.”
    Ward didn’t even spare his partner a glance. “Don’t make me sorry I brought you along.”
    The intensity of Ward’s focus made something in her stomach clench, and not in an angry way. She didn’t trust him and didn’t particularly like him. That whole charming act wore thin fast, or that’s what she told herself. But they could forge a silent agreement of sorts. One that meant she couldn’t kick, punch, or shoot anyone up with drugs. Good thing she had other skills.
    She answered Ford’s question even though it really wasn’t directed at her. “I saw Ward looking through my bag before we left the bar for my place last night.”
    He’d palmed her wallet. Later he’d diverted her attention and done a quick bag check. Subtle but effective. Just not quite effective enough.
    Ford shot Ward the side eye. “Sounds like someone needs a refresher course in subterfuge.”
    â€œI almost missed the bag check, but combine the behavior with the fact it’s pretty clear he’s not on the island for the buffet, and I got suspicious.” Then a bit frustrated that a night with Ward couldn’t happen.
    â€œWho the hell are you?” Ford asked.
    â€œYou