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“I love when you’re bossy about these kinds of things.”
My hands at her waist slipped farther down, close to her ass. “We’ll have all the time in the world for me to be bossy in other ways, too.” I had to remain optimistic and forward-thinking, no choice. Fuck the alternatives and the possibilities of not making it home. “I do have to ask you a favor before I leave.”
My heart was going to break through my rib cage. Talk about waiting until the last minute to bring this up, but it was no easier than revealing my post-Rebecca pre-Diana bedroom proclivities to her.
“I, um, have a favor to ask, too. But you go first.” There wasn’t any hint of concern in her voice. She really did trust me, and I loved that.
“How about you first?” I didn’t mind stalling a bit longer.
She worked her lip between her teeth for a moment before asking, “Can you please make sure you save Sierra and her daughter? I’ve already lost so many people, and I can’t lose them, too.”
Ah, fuck. My chest ached all over again for her loss. Her pain. “I won’t leave without them,” I reassured her. “If they’re not with Karl, I’ll find them. I won’t let you down.” And I meant that. Whatever she wanted, I’d rearrange the solar system to make it happen.
“Thank you.” Total faith in me. Just like that.
All her faith in me started to truly have me believing in myself, too. In the man she saw before her.
“Your turn.” She gave me a small nod to go ahead.
I exhaled, hoping to get through this fast. “You already know Camila’s meeting us in Zurich. It’ll be helpful if she can foresee potential obstacles so we don’t?—”
“Do the dying thing I refuse to accept as a remote chance in happening,” she sputtered. “So glad she’s your friend and on our side.”
Me, too. “We need all the allies we can get, though. The Novaks might have their own private army. Given the number of men who were sent to Poland, I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re up against a hundred tonight.” Based on the frown now sitting on her lips, maybe I’d been a little too candid with mission details.
“I get why Oliver isn’t helping because of his shoulder, but why aren’t you asking Sebastian and his Irish friends for an assist?”
Easy. “If I can’t protect you personally, I need the only other motherfucker as intimidating as I am to do it.” At least that garnered a smile.
“I guess I’ll agree to that. I know if you’re worried about my safety, you could lose focus.”
Also very much correct. “I do have other backups, though. Like Zoey.” I lifted one hand to drag it through my hair. “And Alyona wants payback against the Novaks for their bullshit toward her, so she’s agreed to help, too. In fact, having her act as though she’s checking into The Sapphire as well helps sell the fact we’re truly going there.”
“I’m not sure what the favor is you’re trying to ask me.” She gave me a small shrug, seemingly unaffected by my words.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate to work with women I’ve, well . . .”
Her mouth rounded, and she dropped a long, “Ohhhh.” Her hands slipped to the back of my neck, and she held on while pushing up on her toes to draw us closer. “You’re asking if I can handle you working with Zoey and Alyona?”
“I am.” I looped my arms back around her waist, relieved she’d yet to pull away.
“I trust you,” she said without hesitation, then set a quick kiss to my lips. “But I love you for being honest with me that they’re joining.”
“No secrets between us.” Well, technically there was one. A mission detail I’d refrained from sharing—that I planned to get captured by the Novaks’ men in the “ambush.” Assuming I’d be kept alive for an interrogation, drones and a tracker would monitor my movements from there, and once at a final destination, all teams would advance and move in. I just had to survive until they arrived.
At that thought, I dug into my pocket for my cross while pressing my mouth to hers, trying to push away any negativity. “Hold on to this until I get back, will you?” I closed her hand around the heavy chain and crucifix and promised, “This is not a just-in-case thing.” My brows slanted at her trembling lip, and I kept my hand on top of hers, squeezing a bit tighter. “Hey, look at me, angel.”
She pulled her eyes up, unable to mask her nerves. “Are you sure you don’t need this?”
I smiled and reminded her, “I have an angel on my back to protect me. Been carrying you around with me for years, remember?” Kissing her deeply, pouring every ounce of intention and promise into it, I whispered, “If I have your support, why would I ever need anything else?”
68
CARTER
UNKNOWN LOCATION – TWELVE HOURS LATER
Karl Novak crouched before me where I was laid out on the concrete, soaking wet after being hosed down. He fisted my hair, jerking my head up to look at him. “I’ve been searching for you for a long, long time. All it took was a woman to bring you to your knees.” He snickered. “Get him back in the chair, then leave us alone to talk.”
