Page 78 of If I Were Wind

22. Truth

“IT’S NOT MY fault,” I said, standing in Roy’s room. After we left Murphy’s office, Roy had dragged me to his room, saying that we needed to talk. But he only wanted to repeat how dangerous the mission was, how worried he was for my safety, blah, blah, blah, as if brainwashing me would change my mind. I stomped a foot on the floor, causing grains of soil to rain on the carpet from my dirty hair. “Murphy made the decision. Not me. But I’m happy to help.”

Roy paced, which was a little distracting, since he was wearing only his black underwear. The merciless cast of his shoulders showed his anger. “This shouldn’t have happened.”

“But it did, and if I have to be honest, I’m not thrilled either.”

He paused and eyed my shirt, or rather Murphy’s shirt. “I thought you wanted to be part of the mission.”

“Yes, but not to be used as a tool to interrogate suspects. I don’t know. I’m not making much sense. It’s that this skill is so confusing.” I sighed, brushing long tendrils of hair from my face. “Is what Nathan said true? Is the empire destined to fall?”

“Yes,” he said in a flat tone. Not an ounce of sadness in it. “Like every other empire before it, but joining the Nazis isn’t an option. I’d rather die fighting for freedom than become one of them.” The last words seemed to steal his breath. He sighed and wrinkled his nose. “Hell, you have his bloody scent all over you.”

“What?”

“Bloody Murphy’s shirt. It covers your own scent. As if you belong to him.” A muscle ticked in his jaw as his eyes became two burning slits. “I don’t like it.”

“Fair enough.” I unbuttoned the shirt and tossed it to a chair, standing in my rather tight hallowed silk suit. “Better now?”

Heat smouldered his amber gaze. “I told you not to play games with me.”

“You said you didn’t like my shirt.”

“I didn’t like the smell. But I do prefer you shirtless.” He smirked. The cheek of him.

But I wasn’t going to be mollified by his smiles and cheesy comments. We had rules and I had every intention of sticking to them.

“When are we leaving for Venlo?” I asked, balling my fists on my hips.

His gaze shot skywards. “Kristin.”

“Don’t start.” I jabbed a finger at him. “I’m part of the team now. In this matter, Murphy has more authority than you, and don’t try blackmailing him by telling him that you won’t go if I go, because if you want to protect me as you said, then you must go. So, details, please.”

He huffed and leaned against the wall, his burning gaze on me. “Next week. You don’t have a lot of time to get ready.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“I’m sure of that.” Honesty spilled into his voice, causing my cheeks to warm. “We’ll start tomorrow morning. Get some sleep. I’m going to test your skill as soon as possible. Then we’ll study the plan together.”

“All right.” I shuffled towards the door, exhaustion gripping me again, but he stopped me.

“Here.” He handed me his dressing gown, black and silky like him. “I don’t see why you have to walk around in your underwear.”

“Everyone’s already seen me like this. In the training hall, for example.”

A ripple of anger shuddered through his neck. “Is that supposed to make me feel better?” He trailed a finger over my neckline.

I cleared my throat. “What about Murphy’s shirt?”

“I’ll return it to him. You don’t need to see him.”

I rolled my eyes but slid on the dressing gown. It caressed my skin, and Roy’s clean scent wafted from it. Frowning, he tied the sash at my waist and adjusted the lapels, so that not an inch of my cleavage was visible. He kept tugging and pulling at the dressing gown until he was satisfied with the result. I could be a nun with how thoroughly covered I was. His body’s heat was wrapping itself around me. There was no escaping from him. My determination to keep my distance and stick to the rules might have wavered a little.

“There. You’re ready,” he said, one hand on my shoulder.

“I’m not sure.”

“You have to trust me.” He brushed my cheek with his knuckles. “I will do anything to keep you safe.”

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