Page 129 of Drowning in Darkness

“You’re going to have to let me go,” she says, and follows it up with a chaste kiss on my lips. “We can’t stay like this forever.”

I slide my hands up to her face and into her hair. “Follow the plan and don’t go anywhere alone.”

A knock sounds at the door, followed by Honor, Fox, and Agent Sinclair spilling inside. Any hope I had of dragging this out is gone. None of them are surprised when they see how close we are. Seems like everyone knew before we did that we were inevitable. Even if only for a short time, I’ve experienced more happiness in the last few weeks than in my entire life before.

“I have the trackers,” Camryn says as we break apart.

A small tremor runs through Stephanie before she dons a mask I’ve never seen her wear. She winks at me. “Stop panicking. Events like these consumed my entire upbringing, and I know how to handle them, for better or for worse.”

I fold my arms. “That doesn’t make it any less dangerous.”

“I’m not onboard either,” Fox says, which only makes Stephanie roll her eyes.

Honor huffs. “You don’t need to agree, only support.”

“Do the trackers work in water?” Stephanie asks, and a thrum runs down my spine.

“Yeah, they’re tiny and advanced. Long range, too,” Camryn tells her.

That’s an odd question, though. “Why do you ask?” I demand.

Stephanie’s startled eyes meet mine. “No reason. Just being technologically curious as I don my Ms. Bond persona.”

“You aren’t here to save people. Leave that to the experts.”

Stephanie huffs. “I’m so sorry. Please tell me how to behave and live my life.”

There’s going to be a spanking if she turns brat-like. Even if I know she has a point.

“Is it me, or does this room stink of toxic masculinity?” Camryn mutters.

“Good point,” Honor says and makes a shooing motion. “Everyone with a penis needs to leave.”

I scan Stephanie for any sign of talking her out of this crazy plan. “No chance,” her eyes communicate. I wrestle with my need to save her and instead nod at Fox to follow him out of the door.

Kieran Furness is hosting the gala, a trust fund baby who thinks the world owes him everything. He’s a close contact of Christopher’s, someone who exists on the fringes of the organization and who is trying to worm his way in to explore his disgusting needs among other like-minded men who all need to be locked in a pit of vipers and set on fire.

But the reason Kieran has remained on the periphery is that he’s fucking sloppy. No one should be able to commandeer a room in his mansion without some oversight from his team.

Fox clasps my shoulder. “These women of ours have strong minds. I’ve found it works better to follow rather than attempt to lead them. That way, you know where they are at all times.”

“That’s deep,” I answer. “But true.” Stephanie is mine, if only for a short time, and for now I’ll follow her lead.

He sighs and leans against the wall, folding his arms. “We have this place secured. No one is taking her out of here.”

“You can’t control every variable. No one can.”

“I’m a retired bodyguard. I know how to control all the ones that matter to the safety of my watch.”

I already knew that about him. Now he guards Honor with his life, day in, day out, and he looks damn happy about it. I can only dream of such a simple world that revolves around one person. Not this messy, complex shitshow I find myself tangled in.

The door opens, and Honor and Stephanie pile out.

“Ready?” I check.

“As I’ll ever be.”

I catch her hand and drag her close. “Say the word, and I’ll have you out of here in sixty seconds flat.”