“Too risky, luv. They already made an attempt on McAlister’s life. More deaths would’ve brought more investigations. Better to scare Jack into cooperating.”
I shake my head. “Bad move on their part. Jack doesn’t scare easily.”
He chuckles. “Fair dinkum.”
“Huh?” Me and Isabella raise our brows.
“It means too true. You nev-ah heard me say that?”
“No.” Isabella and I laugh like it’s the funniest thing in the world, relieving more of the evening’s stress. Snacking and chatting with the laptop on the kitchen table, we watch our guys drive away, leaving only a few FBI agents and yellow crime scene tape. Soon, the video goes dark. No doubt some geek directed the drone to some private, undisclosed location.
An hour later, we’re watching Netflix when the door to the safehouse opens. My heart beats like crazy as I wait for Jack to appear. I need to be in his arms, make love to him, and put all this behind us.
When only Grayson enters, I kind of freak out while I wait for them to finish kissing and hugging.
Finally, their lips part and I ask, “Where’s Jack?”
“He was right behind me. I’m sure he’ll be here in a sec.” He moves to the narrow space between the inner and outer walls and pulls aside a shade, careful not to stand in the window.
“Shit.” Grayson reaches into his pocket and plugs a tiny comm into his ear. “You there, Jack?”
Lucky steps to the window and rubs the stubble on his chin. “You want I should find him, mate?”
“No. I want you to stay out of it.” The billionaire grimaces, shakes his head back and forth, and leads us back into the inner sanctum of the kitchen.
“I need you ladies to stay here until the FBI gives us the all clear. In the morning, Isabella and I will be heading back to New York. You and Jack are welcome to join us.”
“Where is he?”Something is terribly wrong.
His smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “I suspect he’s taking care of a couple lose ends. I wouldn’t worry. You go to bed, I’ll let you know as soon as I hear anything. Okay?”
Numbly, I nod as he gives his wife another kiss and they walk arm-in-arm into their bedroom. That should be me and Jack, too.
I pace some more while Lucky tries to cheer me up, but it doesn’t work. I would know if Jack was hurt, wouldn’t I? Why doesn’t anyone know where he is?
From now on, I’m only watching comedies. All night, I picture Jack in every torture scene from every horror flick I’ve ever watched.
When the front door finally opens and it’s him, I dash across the room. “Where the hell have you been?” How can you want to kill someone and kiss them at the same time?
“I was trying to find Yan but he got away.” He pulls me into his Kevlar covered chest. “Sorry, babe.”
He stands in the kitchen while Lucky helps him out of his battle gear. “You worried her, mate.”
“I didn’t want Yan coming after her. Surely, you, of all people, understand?”
“Bull dust! You got a whole team. Didn’t have to fly solo.” He hangs Jack’s equipment in a hall closet while Jack sits and kicks off his boots.
“Yan said he had diplomatic immunity. For all I know, he might already be in the air, halfway to China.”
“Fair that. Well, listen, you two lovebirds square it all away. I’m going to bed.” He walks down the hall, leaving me alone to deal with Jack.
“You mad?” He opens the refrigerator, cracks open a Heineken, and takes a long pull.
I cup his rough beard, so damn glad he’s home, I can’t stay mad. “Maybe. I don’t know.”
When our eyes lock, the dark centers of his grow wide. A little growl comes from deep within and his tangy lips crash down on mine.
He lifts me and places my back against the cool steel of the refrigerator, one knee pushing up between my legs. I channel all the worry of the past few hours into my kiss as I hold the back of his neck.
