So, I’d be covering them from above when they went in and came out. Then we’d head towards the allies.
I had one request to make though, one I knew she wouldn’t like.
“Let’s move guys, get ready. Clock’s ticking.” Claire nodded. Lucas and John went out the door.
I continued to sit where I was, just looking at her.
She frowned when she saw me and set her hands on her hips. She might not have meant for that to look as feminine as it did, it did though. My eyes went straight to her curves and the way her body looked in her catsuit.
“What?” she huffed.
“Don’t go in,” I stated. No point pussyfooting with a conversation. I needed to go in for the kill and tell her straight.
“Are you crazy? I’m captain of this unit, I have to go in.”
I bolted up. “In two month’s time I will take you to Paris, I will ask you to marry me and you will say yes. We’ll get married and you will be my wife. So as your husband—your husband to be— I’m asking you not to go on this mission. I can take charge and still cover the guys.”
I was known for being fearless and forward. It was how I was when I first kissed her, and how I was when I first declared her mine.
Just then however was perhaps the most forward I’d ever been.
We’d known each other since we were sixteen, got together when we were eighteen and stayed like it for the last thirteen years. I’d been with her for the last thirteen years and I loved her like nothing else. Never spoke about marriage though.
It was always a given for me though. I always knew I was going to be with her.
The stunned expression on her face softened and she blinked to focus.
“In two months’ time you will take me to Paris and when you ask me to marry you, I’ll say yes. We’ll get married and I will be your wife and you my husband. So I expect you to understand, as my husband to be, that I can’t just sit down and do nothing while Paul goes to his doom.Death. He has a baby and if we had a baby, I’d want to know that your team did everything they could to get you back to me. I’d want to know that your captain didn’t just back out ofanychance of rescuing you.”
Damn it.
I gazed at her and saw the softer side of the woman she was, underneath the harsh exterior she portrayed to the world.
I walked up to her and pulled her into my arms. She held me, held me close and I savored the feel of her. I savored the feel of her in my arms.
“I love you,” I whispered into her ear.
She moved back and looked at me. “I love you too Xander Cage.”
“You better be careful Claire. You better be. I can’t lose you. I can’t. I’m gonna say that something feels off about this whole situation.”
“I know. I do know that. I know it feels like a trap Xander, but that’s the risk I’m willing to take. I can’t just follow protocol and leave him to die. I can’t do it and I don’t think you or anyone else can either. That’s why we’re going… If it wasn’t a trap I would never be able to forgive myself.”
I nodded and agreed.
“Okay, Captain… Let’s go.”
A little smile pulled at the corner of her delicate mouth and she stood on the tips of her toes to kiss me.
I kissed her back, showing her how much I loved her.
When we pulled apart I knew it was time to move.
Time to go.
* * *
Night gave us the perfect cover.
