“Baby, it’s going to be fine. This is hardly the riskiest mission I’ve been on. Remind me to tell you about that one time in the desert?—”
“I’d rather not know if it’s all the same to you. And as far as this one is concerned, just because you survived worse circumstances in the past does not guarantee you’ll survive this one.”
“I can’t let Jack die, either,” he says. “He’s innocent in this. And I can save him.”
“There’s a pit in my stomach, Sawyer.” I press both hands to my stomach, hating that he’s in this position because of me. Zane is right—how can I let Sawyer sacrifice himself for this? How can I place the man I love in the crosshairs, while trusting the word of a murderer?
“Baby.” He moves in close again and cups my cheek. “I just got you. Do you think I’m going anywhere?”
What if you don’t have a choice? But instead, I take a deep breath and place my faith in God’s plan. I can’t see it, but I have to believe it includes a future for Sawyer and me.
“Come home to me. You owe me a date.”
He leans in and kisses me again, gently this time. A taste of what’s to come. “Knox, I’m not going anywhere.”
Chapter 25
Sawyer
“Can you read me?” Zane asks through the coms.
“Loud and clear, Cap.”
“Good. How’s it looking, Cowboy?” he asks.
“No movement,” Weston says, his tone low and simmering with anger. When this is over, I imagine I’ll be getting an earful from him for letting Anastasia come back to town. But what choice did I have?
She’s already carrying the weight of losing Violet. I couldn’t add Jack to that list. I know all too well the pain of carrying someone’s death on your conscience. And as much as I want to keep her safe, I can’t let him die either. Not if I have a chance to save them both. She’s safe and secure in the coffee shop we practically turned into a fortress, with Leopold watching over her.
“I love him!” She’d screamed those words at Zane, loud enough that I’d heard them upstairs. And I’d be lying if I didn’t admit hearing them put a ridiculous grin on my face despite our dire circumstances.
That grin is long gone now, though.
The boathouse is straight ahead. A metal building, weathered and long abandoned. Or, it was. The sun is just beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a beautiful glare off the water just beyond.
Every window has been boarded up, and the door is the newest thing on the place. Probably because he replaced it before taking Jack. Can’t exactly have someone walking by and seeing an FBI agent shackled inside.
That would be bad for business.
“What about on your side, Tank?” Zane asks.
“Nothing here,” Ryker tells us. He’s stationed on a boat out on the water, while Garrison and Zane are nearby, close enough to move in should I need it. Here’s hoping I won’t.
Then again, I’ve never been one to take murderers at their word. I might have put on a brave face for Anastasia, but there’s no doubt in my mind this guy is going to try to take me out right alongside Jack. Another reason to keep my team away.
If I’m gone, they can step in and protect her where I failed.
Besides, walking into risky rescues is something I have a lot of experience with, and if it were any member of my team in there instead of Jack, there wouldn’t have been the slightest hesitation from me. His life is no less valuable.
“Am I clear?” I ask.
“All clear. Keep your eyes peeled, Cable Guy,” Zane confirms.
“Always do.” With my weapon at the ready, I move down the dock carefully. The aged wood creaks beneath my boots, but it seems sturdy enough. I move slowly—calculated, the adrenaline already coursing through my veins. My fingers tighten on the grip of my weapon, and sweat beads on the back of my neck.
But since no one has shot me yet, the hope that I’ll find Jack alive inside grows.
Maybe I can get him and get back to Anastasia before it’s even fully dark. Then we can continue our discussion over what the future holds. Her gorgeous face swims into my memory, and my heartbeat kicks up a notch.
