Amusement played on her pretty face. “About Cinnamon.” One sexy brow came down low. “Although I’m looking forward to an explanation.”
“So.” Rogue adjusted his vest. “Who’s staying with Molly?”
“Oh no,” Molly said. “No way. You guys have spent enough time watching over me. It sounds like you’ve got good information and will have everything tied up soon. I’ll be fine.”
Rogue’s mouth thinned. He didn’t even look at Atlas before stomping out the idea. “Not happening.”
Atlas gave a sharp nod. “Agreed. Someone’s gotta stay behind.”
She propped her hands on her hips, scowling.
“I will,” Viper said. “My back’s killing me anyway.” He winked at Molly.
“Your back hurts because you won’t stop eating,” Reaper quipped. “Drop twenty pounds and see how you feel.”
“Fuck you,” Viper said, without venom.
A muscle in Rogue’s jaw jumped with urgency. “All right, boys. Let’s go.”
Atlas pulled Molly in for a hug, not giving a shit if he got ribbed by the guys the moment they left. He needed Molly not to worry. But the truth was, he knew better than anyone that time was limited.
That every time he stepped out on a mission he might be close to taking his last breath.
He wanted Molly’s sweet vanilla scent surrounding him, the feel of her supple body against his. She fit just fucking right.
“Come back, please.” Her words, softer than the Panama breeze, ravaged his heart.
“Ready?” Rogue’s clipped question interrupted them.
Molly stood back and folded her hands in front of her midsection, a weak smile on her face and worry screaming silently from her pretty tawny eyes. “Be careful. All of you.”
Atlas vowed to himself that he’d come back.
He had to.
Chapter
Eighteen
“Again? How’d you get another ace?”
Molly grinned and swooped up the cards they’d laid on the table. “Really, Viper. I think you’re trying to let me win at this point.”
“It’s a good thing we’re not playing for money.” He reached for his second cup of coffee.
“Well, I guess so, since you said ‘Hit’ when you were at eighteen.”
“You would’ve won anyway.”
She sighed and lifted her gaze to the clock on the microwave. It’d been almost two hours since the guys left, and she didn’t have another card game in her.
“Sorry, Molly. They’re probably just getting there now. We’ve got a while to wait.”
She nodded, forcing back the rush of emotion moistening her eyes. “How long does this type of thing usually take?”
He took a long sip, and his eyebrows met over the top of his nose. “Hell,” he finally answered. “There’s a lot of variables. Rogue just got word of where Rex is hiding so they haven’t had much time to get intel.”
“Kat’s place?” The memory of Viper mentioning the other woman, Cinnamon, made her stomach ball into knots. She wasn’t the jealous type, but until she had more information about the situation—directly from Atlas—she’d be a little on edge.
