"So, are you ever going to tell me exactly where we're going?"
He was thankful that she didn't ask where he got his information about her status as an FBI agent. "Max is a friend. His place isn't exactly on any map."
"Is this friend someone you met while working for Spartak?"
Maybe it was time to give her some answers. "First, I never defected to the Russians. Second, yes, he is someone I met while working undercover in Spartak."
"I knew you were a patriot, but why did you leave me?"
Her last words were softly spoken; he had a hard time hearing them over the rumble of the engine. Trees passed them by as they wound their way through the forest. They'd soon be back on a paved road where he'd have to pay more attention for another assassin.
He decided to take advantage of the quiet moment and give her another piece of truth.
"They didn't give me many options. Either take down Spartak or take the fall for betraying my unit." He bit out the words. The memories of waking up in the hospital, cuffed to the rail. His handler stood at the foot of his bed with a confident smirk on her face.
He shook his head. "I didn't betray my unit. They were my brothers."
Taylor reached out and touched his arm. "I know. You would rather have died for them."
The sadness in her voice made him pull over so he could face her. "I tried to refuse. I told them they had no proof that I betrayed my country."
He let the memories flood in. "My handler told me that evidence would come to light. That if they could make someoneseem dead, they could most certainly make them appear as a traitor."
He stared out the windshield and gripped the steering wheel. He felt her shift closer to him. Her hand slid down his arm and rested on his hand.
"I never believed that you were dead. My friends and family told me to let it go and accept the fact that you were gone."
Her voice hitched on the last word. "But the story the military told us never sat right with me. I became an FBI agent to get the clearance I thought I needed, but nothing changed the story."
She took her hand and placed it on his cheek. "Please look at me."
He leaned into her touch as he faced her.
"I would have never believed that you betrayed your men. It would have made me fight harder and louder."
He took her hand and kissed her knuckles. "I don't deserve you."
He leaned toward her, wanting with every nerve ending to kiss her. Not the quick one she gave him at the safe house or the one he just brushed on her knuckles. His body hadn't forgotten how her lips would mold to his or the feel of her in his arms. Every part of him longed to have that back.
His phone blared in his pocket. He groaned, but pulled away from her. That was his emergency sound, and only Max could set it off.
Target inbound. Pick up at Moose Pass.
"Empty your pockets. Take off any jewelry you have." Kam took out the SAT phone Davin had given to him and smashed it on the dashboard. Then removed the SIM card from his cell.
He got out of the truck, ripping the bottom portion of his shirt. Taylor got out of the other side.
"Care to share?"
"There is an assassin closing in on our location. Given the text I just got, my guess is they are using a drone or helicopter."
Taylor's eyes widened. "How are we going to outrun a drone or helicopter?"
"You left everything in the truck?"
"Yes. I only have my clothes on me right now."
He looked her over. "Those shoes. Were they with you when you were undercover?"
