“Good idea.If anyone’s infiltrated our setup, Shadow will find them.”And we’d deal with them.It didn’t have to be said.
That solved one issue, but I had a sinking sensation in my gut.I’d just started to make a connection with Kimberly.If I left now, she might decide she’d been right all along, that I was just using her for some weird reason.The woman had serious trust issues.
Still, the Brotherhood was my first priority.If Kimberly knew everything that was on the line, I was sure she’d agree.
“Details, Billy?”I knew I sounded pissed and I really didn’t care.
“Here at ground zero.Sunday night, six p.m.local time.You’re the only non-confirmed at this point.Sam and Noah are still in Thailand so they’ll patch in over Zoom.And don’t call me Billy.”
“I’ll be there.I’ll send details of my travel plans as soon as I make the arrangements.”
William’s voice thawed a tiny degree.“Not necessary.I’ve already taken care of it.A chopper will pick you up and fly you to Vancouver.From there, you’re booked on a commercial flight at 11:05 tonight, and a car will pick you up at the airport when you land back here.Pack light, and Ryland?”
“Yeah?”
“If she’s the right one, she’ll understand.”
At least he hadn’t suggested she might be the mole.“Oh, she’s the right one all right.”
I just wasn’t sure she was ready to understand, or if she even wanted to.When she let her guard down, like she had at the steak place, I could see what life could be like for the two of us.
“I’ve got another call coming in.I look forward to seeing you.”The connection went dead.
I pocketed the secure phone.I needed to pack if I was going to get to Vancouver in time for that flight.Oh crap.It was an international flight -- I needed to get there a couple of hours ahead of flight time.Damned terrorists had made security a nightmare these days.
I needed to talk to Kimberly, make sure she understood I wasn’t bailing on her, on us.Striding to the car, I jerked the door open and slid into the driver’s seat.Sometimes it paid to have a zippy little sports car.
I pulled into Kimberly’s driveway and killed the ignition, bracing for a confrontation.Kimberly’s car was here, but Sasha’s was missing.
Just as well.I’d prefer to explain this to Kimberly in private.She’d started to thaw toward me, but it wouldn’t take much to reverse that.At Rally’s, she’d opened up a bit about her childhood and her unfortunate engagement but I had the feeling she’d regretted each revelation as soon as it came out.
Sasha had filled in some of the gaps in the story, and it hadn’t been a pretty one.Growing up in the foster system must have been brutal.I couldn’t do anything about her past, but I was determined to make sure she had an amazing future, one that included me.
She must have seen me coming.The front door opened and she stepped onto the porch, her head tilted inquisitively.She looked like an angel with the sun shining down on her glossy mane of dark hair.
“What are you doing here?I thought we were meeting later for dinner.”
“Change of plans.”I took the steps two at a time, unable to wait a moment longer to feel her melt in my arms.Lowering my head I savored the sweet taste of her lips.When I finally lifted my head, her eyes had that dazed look I adored.
“Oh?Change of plans seems to be your default mode.”
“Yeah.Duty calls.Apparently the poachers got wind of our impending coup and have disappeared off the face of the planet.Head honcho wants us back at headquarters in Montana ASAP to figure out our next move.”
Kimberly pouted, a delightful puffing of her bottom lip.“Can’t you just do a Zoom call or something?I’ll miss you.”
Three little words, but they made my heart do a cheerful flip in my chest.
I’ll miss you.
She’d actually said it.It was almost enough to make me say to hell with the poachers and the Brotherhood and anything else that got in the way of my relationship with Kimberly.I wasn’t sure my heart would recover if I blew it with her at this point.
She opened the door, taking my hand.“Can you at least come in for a coffee and tell me what’s going on?”
Tempting… I glanced down at my watch.“Sorry, but I have a helicopter pickup in less than thirty minutes outside town which will theoretically get me to Vancouver with barely enough time to clear security before my flight.”I cupped the back of her head, drawing her in tight so her soft curves were plastered against me.I couldn’t resist kissing her again, a mixture of longing and regret poured into the act.
When I let her go, she took one step back and stared up into my eyes.“Wow.That was some kiss.Are you sure you’re coming back?”
I nodded emphatically.“You can bet on it.Just as soon as I can.”
