Page 11 of Fighting Salvation

Hurricane was a big guy, the biggest on the team in terms of bulk but he also had the softest heart. He’d been the one Bás hadn’t been sure of bringing on when Duchess suggested him but time and again, he’d proved himself worthy.

“Listen, boss, I know I’ve been a little off lately but I’m dealing with it.”

Bás eyed him carefully, trying to see for himself what might be troubling the younger man. Other than a tenseness around his jaw, nothing clued him into what might be happening. “When we get back we’re going to have a come-to-Jesus-moment and, so help me God, if you’re not upfront with me, I’ll cut you from this team in a heartbeat. There’s no room for secrets when we do the job we do. It gets people killed.”

Rafe pushed past him, shaking his head. “Fucking hypocrite.”

Bás angled his head toward Rafe, glaring at the back of his head. “You got something to say to me?”

Rafe shrugged. “Hey, don’t mind me, I’m just here for my sister. If you want to lie to your team, that’s on you.”

He turned back to Hurricane. “Get us in the air.”

“Sure thing.” The smile and genuine joy on the man’s face was undeniable and it begged the question as to why he’d left the military when he loved to fly as he did. His record had been exemplary and there was nothing to suggest he couldn’t keep flying, so why had he ended up on Duchess’ radar in the first place? It was a question for another time, but he needed Hurricane to know they were good.

“Hurricane?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you. There’s nobody I’d rather have fly me than you.” That, at least, was the entire truth. The man was a genius in the air and his skills were unparalleled.

“No problem.”

Bás made his way down the aisle, taking his seat opposite Rafe but on the aisle, not the window. He had no desire to see the clouds or the ground as it fell away.

“So, you gonna tell me why you haven’t told your team about Mortimer? Because I’m sure as fuck Jack has no clue who you really work for.”

“It’s nobody’s business.”

“Shit, you really believe that bullshit you’re shovelling?”

“It’s the truth.”

“Look, man, either be straight with me or don’t bother speaking.”

“Suits me.”

Bás held on to the armrests as they taxied down the runway. Moments later they were speeding down the tarmac and lifting smoothly into the air. As they levelled off his fingers relaxed. He fucking hated flying but it was essential, and over the years he’d gotten used to it.

“Val’s a good girl, you know.”

Bás felt his stomach clench at her name. He’d been trying to push any thoughts of her away so he could keep his shit together. How could a woman he’d never even kissed be the one who could potentially bring him to his knees? He didn’t know what it was about her that made her different to anyone else.

That was a lie. He knew exactly what it was. She was beautiful, that was a given. Long, dark hair. Warm, tan skin. Deep brown eyes with long, thick lashes, and a slim, yet curvy figure that made his hands itch to touch her. But it was none of that which made him question his ability to stay away from her.

It was the long, easy chats they had about everything and nothing. The way she teased him but not in a flirty way. She was fiercely loyal and truly cared about people, noticing the small things about them that others overlooked. She was good and kind and special and he’d known it from day one. Despite them both inching closer to a line that couldn’t be uncrossed, he couldn’t seem to pull away from her.

Not until Charlie had been shot and then he’d cut Val dead. He couldn’t risk growing more attached when the risks were so high in this job. He’d avoided being alone with her because he was a pathetic prick who didn’t trust himself not to fall to his knees and beg her for what? Friendship? A roll in the hay? She was worth more than that, and so he’d let her go and backed right off.

He’d hurt her, he knew that but he thought by putting distance between them he was doing the right thing. The noble thing. Instead, he’d sent her away and made her vulnerable.

Snapping back to the present he glanced at Rafe who was watching him. “I know she is.”

“She deserves a man who would burn down the world for her, not pretend he doesn’t feel anything.”

“She does.” His voice was choked so he coughed to clear it. Bás wished he could be that man, more than anything in this world. But if this had proved anything, it was that people around him got hurt. The best thing he could do for her was to walk away, but first, he had to find her.

“Boss man, I need a word.”