“Good.” Ronan cleared his throat as we continued to gaze into each other’s eyes. “That’s all I ask.” His tone softened. “I’m happy for you both.”
“Thanks.” My face heated, and I finally tore my gaze from Zeke’s. He threaded his fingers through mine and tugged on my hand. Together, we left the room.
Zeke checked in with various people. I listened and didn’t interrupt. There hadn’t been any new developments from his team, and Kade’s backup team seemed to be on top of the situation. A few of them smiled at me and wished us the best. Even though I didn’t know them well, they seemed genuine, and their care warmed me.
Finally, it was time to prepare.
“So, do I get to wear a cool super-spy outfit?” I asked as he led me toward the supply room. He laughed. When I asked why, he didn’t reply.
Ten minutes later, I had my answer. Apparently, my badass ninja outfit consisted of black yoga pants and a loose black hoodie. I scowled at myself in the mirror. So much for looking tough. I was more likely to be mistaken for a mom on the way to pick up my kid from school. At least the bulletproof vest he’d given me to wear beneath the hoodie added something to the look.
Arms settled around my waist and lips brushed the side of my neck.Zeke. I melted against him as his tattooed fingers interlaced over my abdomen. I loved having him this close. It had been so long since I’d allowed myself to indulge inintimacy with a man, and that it was Zeke, who—far from being the carefree guy I’d assumed him to be—had proved himself to be caring, honest, and worthy of my trust… it meant everything.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” he murmured near my ear.
ZEKE
I waitedfor her response with bated breath. I hoped she didn’t think I’d asked the question because I thought she was weak or I didn’t trust her. I just wanted her to know that she didn’t have to. It would be more difficult, but we could do this without putting her in danger.
She pulled free of my hold and turned, resting her hands on my waist. “I need the closure. Wouldn’t you have wanted the chance to prove Ernesto guilty personally, and make him pay for what happened to you?”
“Yes.” I understood exactly what she meant. Even after the agency realized I wasn’t the traitor, I’d had a burning need to get revenge on Ernesto. I’d trusted him, and he’d betrayed me. I’d been tortured, partially drowned, beaten, deprived of food and water, and mentally scarred because of him. “I actually did go looking for him as soon as I’d healed enough,” I admitted. “But the agency had already gotten to him, and there was no trace of him anywhere. I think they did to him what they’d intended to do to me.”
My gut curdled at just how close to death I’d been.
“So, you get it.” She waited for me to nod. “I need to be there.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do.” I hadn’t expected her tochange her mind, but at least I’d given her the option. Honestly, I respected her for knowing what she needed and for making it happen. Too many people didn’t have that level of self-awareness.
I cupped her face and kissed her softly. “You’re incredible.”
Her eyes skittered away from mine, and I frowned. Fiona always projected the image of self-confidence, but I was beginning to think a lot of that was a facade. The same way my persona had kept me safe, her prickly aloofness toward people she considered threats had protected her.
“I mean it,” I insisted. “Whatever happens tonight, and whatever comes of this, I want you to know that I won’t let you take the fall for something you didn’t do. Do you believe me?”
She gazed into my eyes, and it struck me for the first time how similar the color of hers were to mine. We were different in a lot of ways, but the deep, dark brown of our eyes matched almost perfectly.
“I believe you mean that,” she said after a moment. “But I don’t see how you can keep your promise.”
“Just trust that I will.” I’d do whatever it took. Kill whoever needed to be killed. Blackmail anyone that needed to be blackmailed. Fiona wouldn’t end up in prison. Although I couldn’t guarantee what my own future might look like. People in positions of power didn’t tend to take kindly to my tactics. The agency had left me alone so far, but if I created other enemies, I’d have to watch my back.
“I trust you,” she whispered.
My heart full, I captured her lips. Silently, I vowed that she wouldn’t regret her decision.
She stepped closer and tilted her head. I touched my tongue to hers and groaned at how goddamn good it felt. Her body pressed to mine and I skimmed my hands over theslight curve of her hips and around to her ass. She let out a breathy whimper, and my cock hardened. She rocked against me.
“Damn, woman,” I panted. “If you keep that up, we’re going to make a mess in here.”
She smiled mischievously. “I want to.”
I hoisted her into the air, my hands cupping her ass as she wrapped her legs around my waist. I backed her against the wall and trailed my lips up the side of her neck, nipping at her earlobe. She shivered.
“Hey, guys? Oh, shit.” The door, which had opened without us noticing, slammed shut.
I groaned and lowered Fiona to the ground, holding on to her for long enough to make sure her legs wouldn’t give out beneath her. “Was that Kade?”
Fiona’s face was bright red. “I think so.”
