Of course.
“Can’t it at least wait until morning?”
“He’s being pretty damned persistent, Talia. I’m afraid, if we wait, he might change about telling us whatever it is he has to share.”
Well, shit.
She opened her eyes again, knowing she wouldn’t sleep now, even if Ryker did move the meeting to tomorrow.
“Give me time to get dressed and head that way.”
“Wake up Brooks and have him come with.”
Natalia shook her head. “There’s no need. I’ll be there and back in no time.”
“But Agent Vaughn’s not there to take you, and I’d rather you didn’t make the trek into D.C. by yourself.”
“Alexandria is literally a hop, skip, and a jump from the city. Not to mention, I’m fairly certain at least one guys from Echo Team is watching from somewhere close by.”
“Echo Team?” The man sounded more than a little confused. “What makes you think?—”
“Jagger had Shaw and Savage follow me to and from work today.” Natalia did sigh, then. “Listen, Jason. I appreciate the sentiment. Honestly, I do. But this is me you’re talking to. I’m not exactly your average damsel in distress, you know?”
“No, you’re not,” the powerful man agreed.
She added, “And among my many other talents, I’m perfectly capable of driving myself to the office.”
A brief moment of silence fell between them before Ryker voiced his thoughts again. “I’m not questioning your abilities, Talia. I’m fully aware of your training and skills. But someone’s been fucking with you, and this is me just trying to keep you safe.”
It was sweet, really. The way he and Jagger neither one seemed to shy away from showing their concern. But the longer they argued, the greater they had of Lopez changing his mind.
“I’ll be there in twenty,” Natalia told him. “Just make sure Lopez is in a room ready to talk. I’ll text you when I’m walking into the building.”
She ended the call before the debate could continue and glanced at the time. At this late hour, she might be able to make it to Homeland sooner, if hurried.
Five near-silent minutes later, her hair was up, and she was dressed in a pair of jeans, a gray hoodie, and her go-to, lace-up boots. There wasn’t much need to dress for what she needed to do. With any luck, she’d be back in a couple short hours.
Natalia turned and stared at Jagger, who was laying slightly sprawled near the center of the bed. His exposed torso rose and fell with proof he was still sound asleep, and she couldn’t help but to relish in the brief, stolen moment. To study the curves of his broad shoulders, biceps and chest.
The chiseled crevices of his toned body appeared even deeper beneath the moonlight’s rays. Her lungs filled with a deep inhale at the sight, and she had to work to keep the sounds of her breathing undetected by the man she’d been admiring.
The last thing Natalia wanted was to wake Jagger from his peaceful slumber. He was almost too beautiful. Like a gift a woman like her didn’t deserve.
And Jaggerwasa gift. Natalia saw that now, so clearly. He was everything she hadn’t realized she’d been needing in her life. Her every hope and dream, especially the ones she’d only recently begun to see.
I want it all with you, Jagger.
The terrifying declaration whispered through her mind. Despite the fear and uncertainty that came with dreams of that kind of future, her mouth lifted with a knowing smile.
No matter what, even if he was still sound asleep and snoring when she got back, shewouldwake him up and let him know the truth. That he wasn’t the only one who was all-in.
But before that could happen, she needed to get to Homeland and take care of business. The faster she got there, the quicker she’d be back. And the sooner she and Jagger could discuss where they went from here.
16
Jagger was dreaming.He knew this, and yet, he couldn’t bring himself to wake up. He wanted to stay right where he was, consumed in the magical world his subconscious had created. One where he sat on the beach watching Talia splash in the water with a little girl who looked just like her.
They laughed and giggled, filling his every cell with more love and joy than Jagger had ever known. He stood from the sand, the tiny granules falling effortlessly from his skin as his bare feet left footprints in his path on the way to his family.
