Titanium Security Series 4 - Extinguished Read Online Free PDF

and Jordyn both got very quiet and kept their eyes on their plates as they ate. Blake set his fork down. He couldn’t lie to the woman who’d been like a second mom to him for so many years. Not when he’d already behaved so cowardly. “A job.”
    Her expression froze, the happiness in her eyes dimming. Averting her gaze, she picked up her water glass. “What kind of job?”
    Blake darted a glance at Jordyn, but she wouldn’t look at him. He turned back to Carol. “A contracting job with the company I work for.”
    She focused on her daughter, her shoulders rigid. “Are you thinking of taking it?”
    “All he did was offer me an interview,” Jordyn answered, forking up a mouthful of potatoes loaded with gravy. He couldn’t help but stare at her mouth as her lips wrapped around the fork. “I told him I’d think about it.”
    Carol turned her gaze back on Blake. “Is it here stateside? Or is it overseas?”
    He could see how upset she was becoming, could practically feel the anxiety radiating from her. In that moment, Jamie’s ghostly presence seemed to fill the room, the reminder of how he’d died pressing in on them all. Blake still couldn’t lie to her. “Probably both.” If Jordyn took the job, chances were good they’d get a decent lead on Hassani in the coming days and they’d be on their way to Pakistan.
    Carol flashed a forced smile that wobbled around the edges and held up her glass. “Well. I’m glad you’re here, at any rate. Now eat up before the gravy gets cold,” she finished, her voice rough.
    The meal was as delicious as always, and though both Senior and Carol did their best to maintain friendly conversation throughout, they never mentioned Jamie, and Jordyn never said a word to him. He felt her avoidance keenly. Although what did he expect?
    After he’d helped clear the table he stood at the sink doing dishes with her. Jordyn’s freshly showered scent was delicious and he was far too aware of the trim yet womanly curves in that long, lean body. Her nails were short and neat as always, a hint of grease under them despite her washing up. Not knowing what to say, he stayed silent as he dried and put away the dishes.
    When they were done she pulled the drain stopper out and rinsed out the sink. “Tell Tom I’m interested in hearing more about the job,” she said, her back to him.
    Blake stopped in the act of putting the dinner plates back into the cupboard. He’d never expected her to accept the interview. Hell, part of him had hoped she’d turn it down so he wouldn’t be reminded of his guilt every time she walked into the same room. “Okay,” he said slowly. “He’s probably going to want to do it tomorrow. You free to come into Baltimore?”
    “I’ll drive in tonight.”
    “I can drive you in.”
    “No thanks. I’d prefer having my own car.”
    Because she’d prefer not to spend any more time with him than absolutely necessary. That bothered him, even though he knew it was his fault. He tried for a diplomatic, practical approach. “You know there’s a good chance you’ll be assigned to our team if you get the job.”
    She turned to face him, wiping her hands on a dishrag. Her expression was calm, but her eyes were cool. The only other time he remembered her looking at him like that was when she’d found out he’d proposed to Melissa. “Yeah, so? I can handle it.”
    He nodded. “I know you can.” She was good at what she did, a dead shot with a rifle and professional on the job. This unresolved friction between them had to go though. “But are you sure? I know it’s not easy on you, and your mom seemed—”
    “My mom will get over it. And I’m a big girl, Blake. All grown up and fully capable of making my own decisions.”
    The verbal jab hit its mark, making him flinch internally. He was all too fucking aware of just how grown up she was. Had been for a long time. That was half the problem.
    “Anyway, if you’re so worried about me taking the job, then