“You’re glowing too.” She stabs another hunk of French toast with her fork. “Are you going to split this with me or what?”
“All yours. I’m more of a carnivore.” I shove sausage in my mouth.
Am I glowing? Weird. Because even though I’m enjoying this little escape, I know our fantasy can’t last.
That knowledge weighs heavy in my chest, shadowing my heart like a giant willow tree.
She hasn’t asked about the hard drive since I swapped my pants in the luggage car, but we both understand the clock is ticking. Our rolling safe house, cruising at one hundred and fifty miles per hour, will eventually pull into a station, at which point we’ll need to bolt and continue to check over our shoulders.
And eventually, I’ll need to return to where this all began.
I still plan to hand over the drive to Declan.
It’s my job. My duty.
But now the drive represents leverage I can use for Trinity’s safety.
In exchange for all the intel she’s accumulated—the top secret dealings of our East Coast rivals, our dirty dealings—I want Declan to spare her.
Surely all of that’s at least worth her life.
After that, maybe we can be together.
Though I dread the confrontation with Declan almost as much as I dread the impending conversation with Trinity.
I can’t blindside her. Not after all we’ve been through.
The safe house.
The storm.
The luggage car.
Andrei, Andrei, Andrei, and dozens of his mercenaries.
My lying days are over.
She won’t be happy, but she’ll forgive me. She’s got a good heart like that. Just like Maeve.
I’ll negotiate our freedom—her from her family’s mafia business, me from Declan’s bitter hatred—so that we can build a life together.
The details will take time and might not be pretty, but I’ll convince her to understand.
For now, only the woman who’s practically licking the syrup off her plate matters.
With anyone else, I’d consider the actions childish.
With her, there’s only gratitude for being alive and enjoying a meal.
When I reach across the table, she twists her fingers with mine and sparks buzz along my skin.
Above our heads, the PA system crackles to life, intruding on my fantasy of swiping all the dishware to the floor and fucking her right here.
“We’re pulling into our final destination,folks,”the conductor announces. “Welcome to New Orleans.”
While the hard drive burns a hole in my pocket, Trinity and I share a resigned sort of frown.
Our time’s up.
