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“My name is Dane Shepherd. I’m with the CIA. I’ve brought a team of Black Ops to get both of you the hell out of here. I believe you know some of the old members you served with.”
As Cobra guided me down the stairs, I could tell he was tense. When I was able to see Dane’s face, I finally breathed a sigh of relief. Cobra sighed, his voice riddled with rage. “Yeah, I know them. How did you gather them together?”
“I have connections,” Dane said, shooting a look around the room.
“You can trust Dane,” I said.
“Only because you say so, princess.”
“Sergeant, you were a hard man to find,” Dane stated. “It’s time to take you home. Your mission is finished.”
“No,” Cobra said. “It’s not. There’s more of them. I plan on taking every one of them out.”
Dane cocked his head, finally nodding. “Then I’ll leave some of the soldiers at your disposal.”
“Get her out of here. She has a world to change,” Cobra insisted.
“No. I’m not going anywhere,” I snapped. “I’m staying with you.”
Cobra turned me to face him, the hard look in his eyes nearly destroying me. “You’re going to obey my orders, Isabella. There is no other choice. I will finish what I started then I’ll return. Go with Dane.”
I clung to him, taking gasping breaths. “Don’t do this.”
“It’s not over and I refuse to allow you to remain in danger. Do this for me, princess. I always keep my promises. Remember that.”
He backed away on purpose, leaving me aching inside. He’d protected me with his life, but he was still prepared to die, all for the sake of freedom.
And honor.
I admired the man more than he could ever understand.
And I loved him with all my heart.
* * *
Three days later
Washington DC
I’d pressed the ring Cobra had given me countless times, hoping for some miracle. I stood in my father’s house, staring out at the manicured grounds, loathing the fact I’d been forced to stay in close quarters with my parents. There’d been no other choice, not just because my apartment and all my belongings were gone, but also for national security. I’d set foot inside the vice-presidential residence three times up until this point, the celebratory events requiring my attendance.
This felt like a wake given the team haphazardly put together at Cobra’s request hadn’t been heard from since my forced return.
Dane remained in the room, his arrival at my request. I needed answers. Period. My father certainly hadn’t provided them. He’d been busy at the White House, tending to whatever business kept him from giving a shit about his own daughter’s safe return.
“Who is Cobra working for?” I asked for the second time.
“You know I can’t tell you that, Isabella. It’s classified,” Dane answered.
I jerked around to face him, noticing the impassive expression on his face. “Do they give a crap Cobra is missing?”
“A lot of people do.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the one I’m allowed to give you.”
“This is bullshit. Three days ago, you assured both Cobra and me that you’d do everything in your power to make certain we were brought to safety. Yes, I’m standing here, but you’re leaving an entire team unaccounted for.”
