Page 10 of Brooks

“Brooks…”

“Tatiana…”

He was infuriating.

I crossed my arms. “We’re not doing this out here in the open.”

“Glad you see it our way. We’ll discuss this when we get back to the compound.”

“I’m not going anywhere with any of you. You’re going to fuck everything up.” I tried to keep the snarl out of my tone, but it was difficult.

I’d worked my ass off over the last few months getting everything into place. I was so close to wrapping up this op and now I had to deal with G.I. Joe and the Real American Action Hero bunch.

Brooks brushed my hair away from my face, leaned in close, and whispered, “Your options are to walk with us to the car and come quietly or I toss your little ass over my shoulder and take you there myself. I don’t care how much you kick and scream.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Trust me, I would. I’ve had a shit morning, I want some dry clothes and a cup of coffee.”

“That’s it? Dry clothes and coffee?”

“Coffee then business. So what will it be, Doll? Option one or two?”

“I will kick you in the balls if you try to put me over your shoulder.”

“Then I hope for the sake of my future children you choose the first option.”

He was serious. And he knew that it wouldn’t matter how loudly I screamed and fought. No one would come to my aid. He also knew I’d never draw attention to myself, or them, by kicking and yelling.

Bastard.

“You have one hour, then I have work I need to do.”

Kyle, Thad, and Max were already waiting on the dock. Brooks moved to the side and offered his hand to help me climb off the boat. I declined. We’d done enough touching for one day. The rumble of his laugh made my female parts wake up and take notice, only proving I’d done the right thing by not placing my hand in his. He was an unwelcome distraction. I had to stay focused, not only did I have others depending on me, but I wanted out of Bahrain alive. I didn’t have time to play games with the good-looking mercenary. Even if he was sexy as sin and it had been a long time since I’d had the pleasure of a man’s company.

“I’d love to know where you go when you drift off.” Brooks’ hot breath fanned over my neck. I pulled back and my gaze snapped to his. Mirth danced across his face.

With his hair tousled and that smile, he looked a step down from deadly. But when my eyes looked at his wet t-shirt clinging to his well-defined chest, I remembered. He was no different than who he was, a lethal mercenary with the ego to go with the job title.

“My head is a boring place.”

“There’s not a boring thing about you.”

Off limits, I reminded myself as we walked to the car. His smooth talk, hard body, and suggestive smile were one hundred percent off limits.

* * *

I’d stupidly been lost in thought while Declan drove. It took me a moment to take in my surroundings and figure out we were still about thirty minutes away from the base.

Declan pulled in front of an unfamiliar gated compound. “Where are we?”

Max exited the car and Brooks answered, “A safe house.”

“I thought you were staying at the naval base.”

“We have a room there,” he answered, but didn’t elaborate further.

Max had the gate opened, bringing into view a simple two-story U-shaped structure. Declan pulled into the courtyard and Max shut the gate, closing us off from the street. The walls around the compound were much taller than the normal eight-to-ten-foot barricades around the homes in the area. The outside of the house was well-kept, there was nothing exceptional or noteworthy other than the added perimeter security.