Luckily, she races off without questioning me. I wait until she’s out the door before telling Cross he’s clear.
I don’t even hear his footsteps, which is a testament to what a skilled operative he is. He moves like a shadow. I blink and suddenly his tall frame appears in the opposite doorway, outlined by the sole lightbulb above his head. He wears his black Command uniform, the one designated for covert ops.
Steely blue eyes focus on my face, searching. And it’s impossible for him to hide his own expression, because what we feel for each other is too raw to disguise.
My heart slams into my ribs. Whenever he’s around, my world narrows. He’s the center of gravity that pulls me in, everything else fading into the background. I run toward him and throw my arms around him.
He gives me a hug before growling, “I told you I would handle it.”
“I couldn’t take the risk. You said so yourself—you don’t have a lot of power these days.”
His jaw tightens as if he’s grinding his teeth together. It’s good to see him, despite his visible anger. I run my hand over the stubble shadowing his jaw, and he leans into my touch, his forehead pressed to mine.
“I’m goddamn furious with you.”
“I know.”
He looks like he’s trying not to smile. “I really fucking miss you.”
“I know.”
His fingertips graze my cheek.
My gaze rests on his mouth.
I don’t know when I’ll get the chance to kiss him again, so I devour him. I melt into his body, and for one long, beautiful moment, the rest of the world doesn’t exist. It’s just us. His tongue slicks over mine and I moan. It’s that needy, anguished sound that has him pulling away.
I feel him trembling against me. He’s just as desperate for me, and if I could, I’d tear off his clothes, push him onto the floor, and fuck his brains out.
“Come with me,” I plead. “They’ll show you mercy. I’ll make sure of it.”
“They won’t, and even if they did, I wouldn’t trust them. We need to talk later,” he says grimly. “There are things I’ve discovered that—” He suddenly touches his earpiece. “Reinforcements are here. You need to go.”
“I’m on foot. Is there a vehicle—”
“My bike’s in the rear.” He lets out a soft, tortured breath. “Go.”
I can’t resist stealing one last kiss. I brush my lips over his, trying to imprint the feel and taste of him into my very soul.
Then I exit through the back and disappear into the shadows.
“Where are you?” Luisa says in my ear. “I’ve got Declan and Archer on board.”
“Thirty seconds,” I tell her.
I make it to the secondary pickup zone, eternally grateful that Luisa agreed to circle back for us. When the plane comes into view, I speed toward the safety of the waiting aircraft.
“Here,” I report, then ditch the Command bike as the cargo ramp lowers for me.
I sprint aboard, and a moment later the ramp lifts and the door shuts. I’m so relieved I feel lightheaded. Tana is already strapped into her seat. Declan, too. He’s pale and sweating, his breathing even shallower than before.
I sit next to Tana and snap my harness into place, my worried gaze focused on Declan.
“What’s wrong with him?” Tana asks.
“I think his heart’s giving out. He denied it, but I’m pretty sure part of his body made contact with a force field. Luisa,” I call toward the cockpit. “Can you make sure Fiona’s ready for Declan the moment we land?”
“Already did. She’s standing by.”
