“What do you mean?” she eyes him as he slides into the chair next to her, looking over her notes.
“It was when I was getting patched up. I was in and out, but I swear Scott was there, talking to Dmitri. He mentioned shipping something to that town. I just chalked it up to losing too much blood. It couldn’t have been real,” he explains.
“Ry, there were too many times when he would go missing. Scott was gone for about a week just a few days before we found you. After everything we have learned, do you really think that was just your mind playing tricks on you?” she asks, reaching over, taking his hand in hers.
He stays silent for a long moment. Liz watches his eyes dart from one paper to the next. Without hesitating, Riley stands, walking right out and pounding on the door next to theirs. Liz stays back, listening to the muffled voices outside. Offering a sad smile when he returns, she takes the hand reaching out, letting him lead her into their room. If they are lucky, they will get a few hours of sleep while Tyler looks into the only lead they have.
CHAPTER 43
They have gone over the plan so many times, Liz could run it in her sleep. Riley jumped into commander mode the second Tyler called him that morning. He didn’t find Scott, but he did see shipping containers being brought into a remote base, a line of blacked-out SUVs following close behind. If she had to guess, she would say their missing general is in one of those cars.
Each member of the team was sent to confirm they will have everything they need when it is time to leave. Liz tags along, bouncing from person to person, helping in any way she can. The plane is secure. Neil and Liam had overseen the gear being loaded. Maya and Lauren made sure every weapon requested was brought to the cargo hold.
Gathered in Langford’s private conference room, Riley goes over the plan again, drilling every detail into their heads. All the weeks of running, of fighting, has led them here. In a matter of days the tides could turn, their names cleared and the threat finally eliminated. Everyone needs to be in top form for what’s to come. If they’re not, it puts the whole team at risk.
Liz watches, filled with admiration as he tells them what to do should anything go wrong. Team or not, he gives them direct orders to get out. If they can quickly and safely help one of their teammates flee, great, if not, they are to get to safety. One person getting out alive is better than everyone dying.
Most of the team reluctantly agrees, although, no one looks like they will actually go through with leaving someone behind. Liz wouldn’t doubt it one bit if that’s the order every single one of them disobeys.
Riley leans over the sprawling map that takes up most of the table, going over their plan one last time. He makes each and every one of them recite the part they play in their mission. Only when they state the backup plan, and their agreement to flee should anything go wrong, does he move on to the next person. Confident in his team’s abilities, he dismisses them, insisting they all get a good night’s rest before leaving in the morning.
Liz says her goodbyes to each member as they walk out, flopping back into one of the plush office chairs when the last person is gone. There is something mischievous in the way Riley keeps peering at her while laying out his full report, hoping it will be enough to make General Langford change his mind.
“C’mon, princess, time for us to go too.” Riley says, pulling her from the chair she’s been curled up in. His arm tightly coils around her waist, pulling her against him. Liz leans into it, resting her head against his hard chest, trying not to shiver in the cold fall air.
She looks up, watching the stars as she is pulled through the empty base. Liz can’t help but wonder if this is the last moment of peace she and Riley will have. In just a few hours she will be on a plane, flying halfway across the world, to a nearly impossible fight. Tonight very well may be their last night together.
Every thought rushes from her head when she steps into theirroom. Instead of Mikey and Matt arguing, she walks into candles dotted around the small space. Fresh Italian food wafts from the kitchenette, making her salivate. A large bouquet of deep red peonies sits in the center of the perfectly set table, drawing a small gasp from Liz when her eyes land on them.
“You planned all this?” she asks with a shaky voice, trying to fight back the tears threatening to break free. She lets him pull her to the table, sliding into the chair, in awe of the man before her. A large plate of her favorite pasta is placed in front of her before he speaks.
“I know I’ve said it a million times, but you deserve so much more than this. I don’t know what is going to happen after tomorrow and I wanted to make sure we got one last night to forget all the problems outside of that door and just be a happy, semi-normal couple.”
“It’s perfect, Ry. Thank you,” she says, smiling sweetly at him. “How did you manage to get peonies so late in the year? And how did you know they are my favorite?”
“I pulled some strings and had them shipped up from the south. Did you think I wouldn’t know they are your favorite as soon as I saw that tattoo you got while I was gone?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.
“Honestly, I forgot all about that. I can’t believe you figured it out from something so small.”
“That’s not small. I knew exactly why you got that tattoo, it’s the same reason I got mine. That’s why I never mentioned it.”
The night speeds by, laughing and talking as if the next few days aren’t going to take everything from them. Liz only wishes she had done more for him like he has for her. Every step of the way he has given her precious moments together, pulling her from the outside world and existing as nothing more than two people in love. She looks around the small room, realizing she will never beable to repay him for everything he has done for her. He gave her a home, a family, and a second chance at life. She will be damned if she lets some small man with an over inflated ego take that from her.
Dinner turns into slow dancing in the living room. Less dancing and more swaying back and forth, tightly wrapped in each other’s arms, as if even an inch of space between them is too much.
Riley trails his fingers up her spine, leaving hidden goosebumps in their wake. Liz arches under his touch, pressing even further into him. A small groan escapes him. He leans down, bringing his forehead to hers. Her lips brush his in a single, delicate kiss.
Liz squeals as she is effortlessly hauled into the air, legs wrapping tightly around Riley’s waist. His lips crash into hers. He kisses her with so much hunger and passion, Liz fears her legs will give out the moment he sets her back down. Lucky for her, he has no intention in doing that. She is carried into the bedroom, their kiss only breaking to pull his shirt over his head before removing her own. Her breath hitches when the warm skin of his chest meets hers.
Riley tosses her onto the bed, watching her with hungry eyes as she scrambles out of her remaining clothes. Drinking in every detail of her bare body, he walks toward where she waits, removing his belt with one hand.
She watches each fluid movement, practically drooling. The ache between her legs becomes almost painful. Her breathing picks up, and Riley lowers himself on top of her. His eyes dart to her lips, then lower, right to where their bodies meet. Liz’s heart beats in her ears, every nerve in her body on fire. She brings her mouth to his, wiggling under the weight of his body in an attempt to get what she so desperately wants.
A hand works its way into her hair, gripping tightly against herscalp. The tinge of pain sends a fresh wave of heat coursing through her body. He wastes no time plunging himself into her, savoring the scream she lets out. His free arm snakes around her neck, lowering his entire body to rest against hers. He backs off, just to slam himself back into her. Nails rake down his back, enticing a sharp hiss. His deep groan rumbles through her whole chest.
Riley doesn’t let up. Every muscle in her body starts to tighten, vision going blurry as she climbs closer and closer to release. He releases his grip, kissing her softly. His pace slows, as if he is savoring every moment like it could be their last. The switch from ravishing to tender sends Liz flying over the edge. She can no longer hold back the scream that had been building in her throat. Every muscle in her body tightens, sending Riley spiraling with her. Liz writhes underneath him, riding out the waves of ecstasy as they come together.
Riley rolls off Liz, pulling her into his arms as they fight to catch their breath, a thin layer of sweat coating their bodies. Listening to the rapid thump of his heart, Liz traces each hard line of his abdomen with her finger. He picks up her hand, interlocking their fingers with a deep sigh that sends Liz’s thoughts racing.
