Blayze, dropping from the ceiling like her own heaven-sent SEAL warrior. One hand gripped the cord that lowered him; the other held a smoking gun, aimed at the woman on the ground. A perfectly round hole in the roofing marked the spot where he’d removed an air vent.
“Don’t move, Jacquie,” he warned, his narrowed eyes fixed on her. Once his boots were planted on the floor, Blayze released the cord and hurried her way.
A group of men, led by Roman, trampled over the makeshift drawbridge, stomping over the mound beneath it as they rushed in. She wasn’t sure where Frank had gone in the action, but with a group that size, they were sure to find him soon.
“You’re going to be fine, Ms. Hernandez,” Blayze assured, securing her hands behind her back. “It’s just a flesh wound. The medics are here to help you.”
Sophia finally put things together when she caught sight of the blood seeping through the lady’s sleeve.Blayze must have shot at her.
Blayze rose to his feet as the medics rushed to the woman’s aid. He thanked them with a nod, then lifted his gaze to her at last, those stormy eyes melting the chaos away.
“Sophia,” her name fell off his lips. He reached out, hoisted her off the ground, and suddenly she was cradled in his massive arms. Warm against his chest, nuzzling into his neck.
If this was chivalry, she wouldn’t turn it down. Not in a million years. He could carry her anywhere in that moment. As long as he held her close.
Roman cleared his throat. “We’ve still got explosives in here to deal with, Blayze.”
“Umm, hmm,” he rasped. In a series of fluid moves, Blayze glided around the toppled items toward the giant gash in the wall.
“Nice hole,” she said as he ducked beneath it.
Blayze shot her a look. “I was done waiting.”
She considered that for a moment; his timing had been perfect. “You’re good at this,” she said. “No lives lost. Will she really be okay?”
“Yes,” he assured. “You’re good at this too.”
Sophia chuckled. “I’ll be honest. I surprise myself sometimes.”
He laughed now too. “I’m not surprised a bit. You have—what my guys and I like to say—the heart of a warrior, Ms. Vasco. There’s no doubt about it.”
Sophia took a moment to let his words pour over her, honored by the compliment. Especially from one as heroic as Blayze Brockton.
They were far from the shed now, and Blayze set her to her feet, gently, beside a tall tree. The grass, slightly damp against her bare feet, caused Sophia to shudder. The absence of his body heat played a part in the chill as well.
She leaned against the tree trunk, her mind rushing back to the conversation he’d started at Roman and Tiff’s. For a flash, it countered the wave of relief spreading through her, but Sophia forced herself to see the bigger picture: They’d made it out alive.
Flashing lights of red and blue illuminated his conflicted expression. “I’m so glad you’re okay,” he rasped, bringing a hand to cup her face.
Sophia smiled, wishing there was a way to protect her heart, knowing there wasn’t. If Blayze didn’t feel the same way, she’d be in a world of hurt. “I’m glad you’re okay too,” she said.
Confident, Sophia. You’ll be fine one way or another.
Blayze toyed with a strand of her hair, causing tingles to travel over her scalp.
“So, I’ve been wanting to say something…” he paused there, glanced at the ground for a breath, then locked his eyes back on her. Sophia’s heart had only just started to calm down, but in the stilled moment, it sped back up again.
He cleared his throat. “I’m in love with you, Sophia.”
She let that sink in for a moment, hesitant to swim in the bliss just yet. “Can you say that again?”
His brow furrowed. “If you don’t feel the same way, that’s fine—”
“No,” she said. “I really just need to hear you say it again. Please.”
A smile pulled at both sides of his perfect mouth, the kind that reached his eyes. “I’m in love with you.”
She sighed. “I love you too,mi amado.”
