"Yes," she breathes. "God, yes, just like that."
I can feel her tightening around me, her body climbing toward release again. The sounds she makes—breathy moans and whispered pleas—drive me higher. I want to make this last, want to stay buried in her warmth forever, but my control is fraying.
"Come with me," I growl against her throat. "Now, Jordan."
Her climax hits first, her inner muscles clenching around me in waves that pull my own release from me like a tide. I bury myface in her neck, breathing in the scent of her skin as pleasure crashes through me—intense, overwhelming, grounding. We shudder together, clinging to each other as if letting go means losing everything.
When the aftershocks finally fade, I collapse carefully beside her, pulling her against my chest. Our hearts are racing in tandem. Our breathing gradually slows and synchronizes.
Afterward, we lie tangled together, her head on my chest, my arm around her shoulders. The afternoon light slants through the windows, turning the snow outside to gold.
"I love you," she whispers. "Even when you're overbearing and controlling and trying to wrap me in cotton wool."
"I love you," I reply. "Even when you're reckless and stubborn and determined to give me a heart attack."
"We're quite a pair."
"We really are."
She's quiet for a moment, then: "I'll do it. But I have conditions."
"I'm listening."
"I'll work within more of a team structure." She looks up at me.
I consider it. It's more than I expected, better than I hoped. "Partners," I agree. "But when it comes to security protocols and tactical planning, you defer to me and my team. No arguments."
She smiles and kisses me. "Deal."
"Good. Now rest. We've got a long few days ahead of us before we can go home."
She settles back against me, and within minutes, her breathing evens out into sleep. I lie awake, holding her, thinking about the future.
Graham Warner. Shell corporations. Financial trails. A second team still out there somewhere. Jordan will need protection, whether she likes it or not. But we agreed onpartnership, and maybe that's what we needed all along. Not me protecting her from the world, but both of us facing it together.
I hold her tighter. Whatever comes next, we'll handle it the way we should have from the start—as a team.
8
FITZ
We leave Switzerland two days after Christmas. Two days of debriefings, medical checks, and coordinating with Sawyer's investigation. Two days of watching Jordan heal physically while the psychological impact settles in.
Major Adeyemi arranges to have her protection detail escort us to the airport, having extended it to include Jordan. They move with military precision, forming a protective perimeter as we cross the tarmac toward Wyatt's helicopter.
"The threat against Mrs. Fitzwallace is credible and ongoing," her second in command explains as we board. His tone is matter-of-fact, but his eyes are sharp, assessing. "The Nigerian government has a vested interest in keeping her safe—she's saved too many of our citizens to let her die now."
"I appreciate that," Jordan says, though I can tell she's uncomfortable with the attention. She shifts in her seat, favoring her injured ribs.
I catch her hand, squeeze gently. She's not used to being the one protected. Not used to accepting that she needs protection at all.
"More than that," he continues, settling into the seat across from us, "Major Adeyemi has passed on the government’s wishes to offer Cerberus a contract. Officially, you'll be consultants on counter-terrorism efforts focused on protecting rescued victims. Unofficially, you'll have access to intelligence and resources that might help identify who's targeting you."
The offer is generous. Almost too generous, which means Nigeria's government wants something specific. I exchange glances with Jordan, reading the same calculation in her eyes.
"We'll need to review the terms," I say carefully.
"Of course. But consider it. You need allies right now. And Nigeria needs people who actually give a damn about these women." He leans forward, his gaze intense. "I've read Mrs. Fitzwallace's file. Read about the operations she's run, the women she's saved. That kind of work makes powerful enemies, but it also creates powerful allies. Let us be one of them."
