He had an overwhelming urge to have “the talk.” The one where he told her he was falling for her and wanted her to come back to Charleston with him. That he wanted to explore this thing between them because, as intense as the situation was, they had a connection separate and apart from the mission and their pretend relationship.
The timing sucked. They were—he checked his watch—nine minutes from go time, so he shoved the urge down and hoped he’d have an opportunity before they got back to the U.S.
“Add? You good? You want to go over anything?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I’m good. Lights go out. Right out the door, down the hall and stairs, across the foyer to the sitting room, back corner, more stairs to the dungeon. Free Braedon and Michael, through the wall, through the tunnel, onto the boat. Speed away.”
He smiled at her recitation of the mission. They hadn’t done a dry run, not that they could, but they’d talked it through and discussed any possible issues.
“And if we encounter anyone?”
“Subdue as a first option.”
Devon checked his watch again. “Let’s gear up so we’re not doing this in the dark.”
She nodded and moved to her equipment, sliding on her vest and settling it over her shoulders.
He did the same, then strapped a throat mic around his neck and inserted the earpiece. “Comms check,” he whispered.
“Read you loud and clear, Cactus.” It sounded like Graham was standing next to him, whispering in his ear.
“I keep forgetting to ask—why Cactus?” Addison asked.
“High altitude, low opening jump in Texas. A few of us missed the LZ. I landed in a cactus patch.”
She grinned. “Really? Were you the only one?”
“Yup. I was picking spines out of my ass and legs for days.” He slung the backpack over his shoulders, then looped his arm through his rifle sling and adjusted the weight so it hung properly.
“Standby,” Graham said.
Devon slid a hand behind Addison’s neck and kissed her quickly. “Thirty minutes, we can all breathe easy.”
She grasped his wrist and squeezed.
“Ten seconds,” Graham said.
“NVGs,” Devon said.
She nodded and settled the helmet over her head, snapping the strap under her chin.
* * *
Addison counted down in her head, closing her eyes when she got to five. She’d kept the lights low, knowing their eyes would have to adjust to the darkness, even with the night vision goggles. That was one of the reasons they were waiting a minute after Angie cut the power. She opened her eyes to complete darkness.
“Sixty seconds,” Graham said.
“Turn on your NVGs,” Devon said.
Adjusting the goggles over her eyes, she fumbled with the switch on the back of the helmet. Devon’s fingers found hers and flipped the unit on. An eerie green glow formed, and she blinked at how bright it was.
“Hang on, it’s too bright,” he whispered.
Why did darkness always lead people to whisper? Seconds ago, they’d been speaking at a normal volume.
The light dimmed until it no longer felt like it burned her retinas.
“Better?” he asked.
