CHAPTER SIX
Nick woke to the soft glow of the screen reflected in Sloane’s eyes as she stared at the monitor, skin pale, lips pursed tight. She pushed out a harsh breath, the sound a mix of ice and fury.
He knew that look. It was the one she got right before she burned something — or someone — to the ground. And based on the fire blazing in her eyes, she’d already lit the match.
The mattress dipped as he pressed his palm on the edge, pushed, the simple motion causing him to hiss out his next breath as pain throbbed through his leg, every cut the doctor had cleaned burning to life. He managed to brace his back against the headboard a second before Sloane bolted to his side, shaking her head before grabbing a pillow — stuffing it behind him.
She eased onto the bed, her auburn hair falling in a cascade of gentle waves across her shoulder.
Damn, she was beautiful. From the intensity in her gaze to the fierce line of his jaw, the perfect mix of muscles and curves that spiked his heart rate — had it pounding triple time from nothing more than a smile. It didn’t matter if she was kicking in doors, staring down a sniper rifle or breaking firewalls with lines of code, the woman took his breath away. And he knew he couldn’t deny it any longer.
She wasn’t just a crush, a temporary distraction. What he felt ran deep — an anchoring form of gravity, and he’d been in free fall for months.
Sloane scrunched up her face, adorable lines creasing the bridge of her nose. “Do you feel sick?” She pressed the back of her hand across his forehead. “Have a fever? Should I get Rowan or Chase?”
Nick snagged her wrist before she could jump up — ruin the intensely intimate atmosphere encasing the room. He smiled, everything easing from the simple touch of her skin against his. “I’m fine, I just…”
She snorted, fluttering the wispy strands around her face. “Have you looked in a mirror lately? You’re not fine, Nick. You’re damn lucky to be alive.”
“You said you were coming. I wasn’t worried.”
“That makes one of us.” She smoothed her fingers across his jaw, brushing her thumb along his chin. “You really scared me today.”
He leaned into the gentle touch. “Sorry. I swear, I didn’t go looking?—”
“I know. Buck and Dalton had plenty to say before they called it a night. Doesn’t make the risks you took any less real.”
“Like facing off against a dozen men, armed only with a Glock?”
She laughed, the lilting sound sending a shiver down his spine. Maybe he had a fever, after all. “I only had my go-bag. I’m lucky I had anything at all.”
“Thank you.”
The cockiness faded from her smile, as a genuine one shaped her lips. “I promised I’d always have your back. That won’t ever change.”
“Good. Then you’ll tell me what the hell you discovered, because I saw the way you were staring at whatever’s on your screen. You’re just a heartbeat away from going scorched earth.”
Her smile faded completely, her gaze darting over to the computer.
He sighed, gave in to the urge to tuck some of her hair behind her ear, the soft strands tickling his skin. “I know I look like I went ten rounds with a tank, but I’m well enough to listen because if my hunch is right, this involves the burn notice.”
She sighed, shoulders drooping a bit. “It’s so much more than just that.”
Nick grunted. “That doesn’t sound ominous, at all.”
“This…” She sighed, then explained that Avery had found a letter that had been conveniently deleted just moments before the burn notice went live. How it all circled back to the CIA.
“So, what does that mean? Someone inside the Agency sent a team to eliminate us?”
“If only it were that isolated.” She speared her fingers through her hair, tousled the curls about her face. “It’s a bounty, Nick. A kill order, sponsored by fucking Hill. Directive seven.”
Nick coughed, another jolt of pain pushing through his thigh. “Hill? As in Deputy Director Cyrus Hill? The bastard who’s been riding my ass for years because I’m too unconventional? That Hill?”
“Seven figures.” She nudged his shoulder. “At least, he didn’t undersell your worth.”
“How considerate.” He frowned. “Which means, there’s an identical bounty on you, too, right?”
“Extra if whoever completes the hit gets both of us in one go.”
