Scar’s throat went dry as he imagined Gage in fight mode. Strong and fearless.
He pictured him stepping into violence with assuredness. Eliminating threats…without killing them.
It did something stimulating and electric inside of him.
He lowered his eyes to his drink, pretending he wasn’t listening, all while imagining fighting with Gage. Being close enough to feel his heat, to put his mouth near his ear to tell him where the threat was, then watch him go after it.
“He’s still holding to his no-kill rule,” Roz added.
Scar forced his attention back into the room.
“Every mission doesn’t have to have fatalities.” Zorion frowned.
Roz snorted. “That’s an odd thing for an assassin to say.”
“Odd, but true,” Valor said. “Gage can eliminate an enemy without taking their life. He’s been trained to break the things that’ll take an opponent down in a way they won’t be able to get back up.”
Scar’s body went hot.
He wanted to see Gage stripping a man’s ability to hurt anyone ever again— dispensing a merciful kind of cruelty—and walking away as if he were prosecutor, judge, and enforcer.
Meridian started to talk more about the upcoming mission of collapsing a black-market weapons corridor, but Scar barely heard him when the dining lounge door opened again and Gage walked in.
And, of course, he looked fuckin’ irresistible.
Scar’s full attention went to him like thirst recognizing water.
Gage’s hair was damp as if he’d just gotten out of the shower. Parts of his hair were so blond now that it gleamed silver under the lights. It had grown longer, almost brushing the nape of his neck and falling in layers he swept back from his face.
He wore a soft-looking white-and-heather-gray sweatsuit and silver-rimmed sunglasses.
Gage’s cane was different too, as if his tech team was always trying to outdo the last model. He walked without it or hesitation, as if the room was arranged around him.
He went to the empty seat beside Scar, sat down, and made himself comfortable. Close enough, Scar could smell Gage’s enticing, powder-soft warmth. A combination that turned his control into an impossible feat.
Gage settled his focus on him as if he were the only person in the room worth addressing.
“Good evening.”
His voice was that sexy, mellow-quiet confidence that never failed to slide under Scar’s skin like a wandering hand.
He managed a croaky, “Hey,” before he had to clear the lust from his throat.
“Long time, no see.” Gage laughed, elbowing him in his side. “Get it?”
Almost everyone laughed, but Scar didn’t.
Gage’s assistant came to him a few seconds later and placed a glass of water at his right hand.
“You ready to eat?” he asked.
“Yes, please. I’m starving. I’ll have whatever Chef can whip up really quick.”
Scar stared at Gage’s mouth, wondering what those pink lips tasted like. If they were as sweet as they looked.
Conversations resumed around them as though nothing significant was happening.
Meridian and Grace stayed on the mission topic. Valor and Zorion were having a hushed exchange, and Roz was now talking excitedly with Corvo about the next Olympics being on the West Coast and going to a few events.
