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We talk. Cam s defensive tone matched his stiff, closed-off
posture. He hunched like he expected an attack.
No, we don t. Not really. Tristan stood and paced beside the
bed, frustration, hurt, and a sick sense that he knew how this would
end fueling his steps. I don t know anything about you.
Cam stared at him, his blue eyes blank. You know all you
need to know.
The words stabbed Tristan right where he was most vulnerable.
He flinched. All I need to know? Apparently, that s next to
nothing. He stopped pacing to meet Cam s gaze. What do you
think is going on with us, Cam?
If possible, Cam s expression became blanker than before. He
spoke in measured tones. I like you. We re good together.
Like. Good together. Apparently Tristan had been fooling
himself to hope there was anything more to the thing between them
than sex. He closed his eyes to shut out the sight of Cam s
expressionless face. The truth hit him, and he opened his eyes
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again.
He swallowed hard and forced himself to speak. That s not
enough for me. I m God, this is hard. He cleared his throat,
tried again. Every time you ve avoided a question, or distracted
me, or left to go do something, I ve tried to convince myself to
give you time. I kept telling myself you d talk to me when you
were ready. He laughed unsteadily. I guess I was in denial.
Cam s jaw tightened. Tristan&
No. Let me say this. Tristan moved to the bed, inches from
Cam yet miles away. I kept holding on because you make me feel
things I ve never felt before. It wasn t just the sex. At least not for
me.
Tristan. Please, don t. Cam reached for him, the
expressionless mask falling away.
Tristan stepped back enough to evade the touch. I can t do this
anymore. I m in love with you. His voice broke on the last few
words. He talked faster, determined to finish before he humiliated
himself any further. I know you care about me, Cam, but it s not
enough. I need more than sex and casual friendship. I deserve more
than that.
Cam sucked in a sharp breath. He opened his mouth as if to
speak, then shut it.
Lowering his eyes, Tristan forced words out. It s all right.
You don t have to say anything. Just go.
It doesn t have to be like this. We could
Tristan shook his head without looking at Cam. No. You
know how I feel. You obviously don t feel the same way. It
happens. He forced a smile and raised his gaze to Cam s.
Thanks. For everything.
Cam had his expressionless face on again. He nodded.
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Goodbye, Tristan.
Tristan managed to hold himself together until he heard the
click of the front door closing. Then he curled up on the bed and
let the ache in his chest consume him.
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CHAPTER 20
Walking back to his apartment, Cam was almost able to
convince himself nothing had happened. Tomorrow he and Tristan
would leave for the mission, along with the others, and when they
got back things would be fine.
The memory of Tristan s face, open, shattered, intruded into his
denial. I m in love with you. You obviously don t feel the same
way. It happens.
Pain lanced through him all over again. How could he have let
Tristan go? Would trusting him have been so bad? The part of him
that had been hurt too many times screamed yes! The rest of him
was wracked with uncertainty.
Anger joined the misery roiling through him. Tristan hadn t
given him a chance to think, or try to explain. Why couldn t
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Tristan leave well enough alone? If he really loved Cam, he would
have given him more time. Would he be so quick to leave someone
he really loved? Not likely.
While he brooded, he had reached his apartment without
realizing it. His fingers fumbled with the key, but finally he got the
door open. The second the door closed behind him, he rounded on
the wall and punched it, once, twice, three times. Fuck!
* * *
Not sleeping made an on-time arrival easy. Cam reached the
briefing room well before anyone else. He set his bag on the floor
and poured himself a large mug of coffee. He stood by the counter
to drink it.
Twenty minutes later, Claudia came in. She seemed startled to
see Cam. Chameleon. You re early.
He gave her his trademark smile. I felt like shocking
everyone.
She smiled slightly and handed him a folder. While you re
waiting for the others, you can study this. I m leaving you in
charge of the briefing. She tapped the edge of the folder. Inside,
you ll find pictures of the man you ll be portraying. There s also a
flash drive with videos of him. If you get bored, you can practice.
Gotcha. He d have a few days of travel and prep time to
become familiar with the guy.
Claudia nodded and left. Cam sat in a chair and started to read.
He studied the pictures of the man he would be for the next week
or so, at least. Antonio Rossi, dealer of stolen art, was thirty-five.
If the name hadn t clued Cam in, the swarthy complexion and deep
brown eyes would have told him the guy was as Italian as they
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came. He was good-looking in an arrogant sort of way.
A hand on Cam s shoulder made him jump. He glanced over
his shoulder, annoyed. Jesus, Dix. You scared the hell out of me.
Dixon tossed her hair off her shoulder and laughed. Jumpy.
When he didn t laugh or smile, her mirth faded. What s the matter
with you?
He shrugged. Didn t sleep well. She started to say something
else, but he shook his head. Leave it.
The door swung open, admitting a few team members they
rarely worked with, and Tristan. Cam s heart lurched. He
maintained his calm expression by sheer will. Clearing his throat,
he greeted everyone and started the briefing.
* * *
The mission was hell. They found the stolen art and were
instrumental in the arrests of the gang of art thieves, but success
was small consolation to Cam.
Other than himself, Dixon, and Tristan, Claudia had sent
second-string field team members due to the low danger level of
the mission. Dixon and Tristan were only there as precautions,
really. Dix s precognitive abilities should lower the risk of any
surprises, and Tristan s healing ability would mitigate any danger
to Cam, the one person who had to put himself on the line. The
other team members talents weren t as strong, and they didn t
have as much experience. Because of that, prep time was longer
than usual, leaving Cam restless and frustrated. Then he had to
remind them of the procedure before he shifted and took his
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