“I partnered up with you.”
“True,” she conceded wryly.
“What’s this island called?”
“It doesn’t have a name.It’s barely big enough to be more than a rock.”
He called the bridge.“Hold our position offshore when we arrive.Engage dynamic positioning.”He turned to Sable.“That will keep theSeraphimfixed at one GPS location without anchoring.”
“Fast getaway?”she suggested.
“Correct.If you want to leave, you’d better go now.”
“Jump overboard?”she suggested.
His crew was a well-oiled machine.TheSeraphimwas already underway.
“Like a ghost slipping away in the night,” Sable murmured, staring over the side as they headed for the open sea.
“Like you?”he suggested.
“Harder to vanish at sea—unless you throw me overboard.”
“Don’t tempt me.”
The tension had eased a little between them.Whatever Sable’s past actions, ensuring the success of a mission would always come first.And she was good.Better than good, she could be a game changer in a situation where she knew more than most.
Learning that Mara was involved added urgency to the plan developing in his mind.“I’ll have a steward show you to your quarters.”
“Thank you.”
He’d already turned away, job done.It was only when she left that he realized Sable’s energy had gone with her.The room felt bigger, emptier, and colder.
It was hard to say what pissed him off more—wanting her or shutting her out.
CHAPTERSIX
She didn’t go straight to her room.Instead, she diverted her escort with a blatant lie.“The commander asked me to visit the armory to choose whatever I need for the mission.”
“Certainly, ma’am.This way, please.”
He escorted her down two flights of narrow steps ending in a long corridor lined with steel doors.This was Elijah’s reality.The rest of theSeraphimwas a facade: sleek, luxurious, and carefully curated to both mislead and reassure guests.
Her companion used iris recognition to unlock the door.“Do I need someone to sign out the weapons?”
“What do you think?”
Elijah’s cold voice pierced her spine.Of course, he knew what she’d done.Cameras were everywhere.
The officer had already gone, leaving Elijah in his place, and he looked more threatening than ever.All muscle and ice, he stared down from his great height as if she were the enemy.
“You can hardly stop now,” he said, as she began to make excuses in order to leave and choose a better time to inspect the armory.
How could I possibly have made love with this man?
Love?They’d collided like feral creatures wolfing down a reward.
“I’m sorry.I should have asked you first before coming down here.”
