Page 81 of Rafe’s Future

Lena turned and walked out of the bedroom, reminding herself this wasn’t goodbye forever, but merely for now.

“That was the front desk.” Rafe had just returned the room’s landline receiver to its cradle. “Your car is waiting downstairs.”

“Okay.”

He met her halfway, taking her bag from her shoulder. The chivalrous man also held open the door.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He gave a dip of his rugged chin.

The elevator ride down to the lobby was silent. Once outside, the driver Mercer had sent started to take her bag, but⁠—

“It stays with me.” Lena flashed him an I-dare-you smile.

“Understood.” The younger man slid Rafe a sideways glance before making his way to the driver’s seat.

Rafe pulled her close. “Come back to me.”

She kissed him. “I love you.”

Deep emotion flickered behind his darkened gaze. “I love you, too.”

Their mouths met in a parting, sensual kiss before Lena forced herself to step away. She climbed into the car, unable to keep from looking back. Rafe was still there, watching her leave.

He lifted a hand with a smile she committed his image to the deepest parts of her memory, praying the promise she’d given him hadn’t been in vain.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Rami Najjar’s desert compound

Somewhere outside Harran, Turkey

The following night . . .

The air was warm in Harran. Too warm. Lena’s nostrils were already filled with the smell of dust and dry grass.

Like the team of operators she’d traveled with, she was crouched behind a low stone wall. She checked her weapon in preparation for the premeditated assault.

There was no unnecessary conversation. Everyone there knew the objective. For them, it was crystal clear.

Rami Najjar and Alexei Kozlova were enemies of the State, but they were to be taken alive if possible. But capture wasn’t a possibility⁠—

Dead was a much better option.

The compound sat ahead, surrounded by high walls and a sea of darkness. A few lights burned near the main building. Beyond those, the night stretched toward the Syrian border.

Lena felt confident knowing air support awaited their call from somewhere overhead.

She touched the tiny mic in her ear. “Status.”

“We’re ready.” A man’s voice came through loud and clear.

Her assessing gaze scanned the length of the compound once more. “Let’s move.”

The team slipped forward from their assigned positions. Their movements were silent and quick. The first guard they came to never knew what hit him. Lena took care of the second one before he could raise his weapon.

She fired once. He dropped to the ground where he stood. That was all it took for the entire compound to erupt.