“What was Plan A?” he asked.
“You,” she replied. “You were Plan A.”
CAROLINE
Caroline could stomach a lot,but watching someone die was gonna mess with her head. She’d accepted the mission knowing what she was walking into, but agreeing to do something and actually doing it were two completely different things.
Still, she wasn’t going to wilt, and she wasn’t abandoning Grey. She would do her job and process the emotions and thoughts as she encountered them. If need be, she’d seek help. This wasn’t going to be easy, but she was all-in.
She glanced over at the screen. Haqazzii was tugging on the cuffs so hard, he’d broken skin, the blood running up his arm. Her stomach lurched.
“Caroline,” Grey said. “Look at me.”
She turned toward him. The confidence in his eyes gave her the tunnel vision she needed.
“Help me craft a message to the terror cell,” he said, his deep voice calming her.
She doubted he needed her help, but she appreciated that he was making sure she stayed busy. She knew there would be collateral damage. She needed to ensure it wasn’t them. Together, they found two different chat groups that were staunch supporters of the Haqazzii terror cell. Though neitherwas in English, Greystone was able to navigate his way pretty good.
“Before you upload the pics, make sure there’s no geolocation tagged to them,” she said.
“I did.” He showed her the setting had been set to “never”.
After uploading the photos and the video, he said, “What’s our message?”
She stared at the pictures of a man she’d known briefly as Erik, a ruthless terrorist who’d weaseled his way into JL’s life so he could fulfill his macabre mission.
“How ‘bout, ‘Call it off or he’s a dead man.’”
“Nice,” he said, his confident tone rumbling through her.
She glanced over at him, appreciating his strong features. Profiles were rarely as good as someone’s face, straight-on, but Grey had it going on from any angle. She loved his man-bun, especially since the shorter hair around his face had broken free from the tie and was hanging in his eyes. Before she could check herself, she brushed away his mane.
“I love your touch.” The ache in his voice ripped through her.
She was in constant reaction mode when it came to him. Inches away sat a warrior. Fearless, fierce, and loyal. It didn’t get any better than him. It just didn’t.
As soon as he tapped the “post” button, everything went live. “We just poked the bear,” he said.
“If they want a war, they’ll have one. We’re part of a group of fighters committed to protecting the innocent and defending a country we love. It’s that simple.”
“What else is that simple?” he asked.
She peered into his eyes, the pull to kiss him so intense, she stopped breathing. Grey was a formidable man. Huge in size, he carried with him a quiet strength she found intoxicating, addictive, and absolutely mind-blowing.
He leaned forward, slowly, until his lips melded with hers.A surge of energy powered through her, desire jumped to the forefront. Climbing on him would be effortless, taking him inside her would be perfect. They’d get lost in each other and in the ultimate escape.
Blinking away the perfect fantasy, she swallowed down the need, then cleared her throat. “Wow, that’s intense.”
“I gotta have you,” he murmured, “and I gotta wait.”
She hitched a brow. “Maybe not.”
“Jesus,” he murmured.
BING!
Someone had posted a message in one of the chat groups. “Kidnappers, this is your only warning. Let him go or we will kill you.”
