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“I never wanted her to move out, Isabella. In fact, I begged her to stay. She shouldn’t have been on her own, but she was over eighteen.”
“What do you mean she shouldn’t have?”
“As I said, we’ll talk about it later.”
My father always managed to push aside anything he didn’t want to talk about. “Fine.” No, it wasn’t fine. In fact, I would find the courage to talk to him, finally getting everything out in the open. I couldn’t take the not knowing any longer. Maybe a little of Cobra had worn off on me. Oh, God. How could I spend my life without him? I bit my lower lip, trying to keep from crying. I just needed time by myself.
“I understand the ring you’re wearing was a tool he provided you.”
I peered down at the ring, uncertain I’d told anyone about it. “Yes, he told me to press it anytime I needed his assistance.” I heard the angst in my voice and held my breath. Whatever he was getting at, I couldn’t take much longer.
“Have you done that?”
“God, yes. About ten times. Why? What is this about?”
“Why don’t you press it again.”
He stopped in front of a closed door, and I shot him a look. “Why? I’m in no mood for games.”
My father wasn’t a warm man, but I saw something in his eyes I hadn’t seen for a very long time. Admiration. “Just do an old man a favor. Press it.”
Sighing, I did as he asked. Then I heard a noise. “What is that?”
“Perhaps you should open the door and find out.”
I sucked in my breath, unable to stop tears from slipping past my lashes. Then I took a leap of faith, turning the handle.
As Cobra turned around, a device in his hand, his eyes brightened. “My princess. It seems like you need my assistance.”
I raced forward, stopping short to make certain this was real. Then I jumped into his arms. “How? You’re here. I don’t understand.”
“It would seem your ring put out a signal that was tracked. Soldiers were sent to investigate since the device has been used in various military operations. They found Cobra and the other Black Ops members unharmed,” my father answered. “Anyway, because of that we were able to find the team. Now, I think I’ll leave you two alone.”
Cobra grinned as soon as my father left the room, pulling me off the floor. “Did you miss me?”
“I don’t know how or…”
“Don’t cry, princess. I’m safe. I told you I never break a promise.” As he captured my mouth, I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding him tightly against me. I never wanted to let go of him again. The kiss was passionate, even sweeter than any before. As he rubbed his hands down my back, I was blinded by desire as well as overwhelming relief.
When he finally pushed away, easing me to my feet, he took his time rubbing his knuckle under my eyes. “Let me look at you.”
I pulled back, inhaling his scent. “What happened?”
“The team was very helpful in eradicating the remaining members of the political party I mentioned.”
“You can’t give me details.”
“No, I’m afraid I can’t, except for I have blood on my hands, but it was necessary in order to keep the peace. Everything we did was for a purpose.”
Protecting not only our country but those in the rest of the world. He was so strong, so admirable.
I could see the look of sadness in his eyes. “I’m sorry about Jeremy. How did you know he’d betrayed you?”
“You followed your instincts with regard to the agent and I finally followed mine.” He pulled away, heading toward the window. I could swear he’d aged in the few days since I’d seen him, his face gaunt. “He wanted to reminisce about the career-ending mission from before. I sensed he was trying to explain his reasons for becoming a hired assassin. What I didn’t realize initially was that he’d felt as if he’d been blamed for not being there.”
“He said something like that before you came into the room.”
“I don’t think he expected he’d be required to kill either one of us. He’d set up everything, locating the cabin in Tennessee for them, knowing that I’d give him a call. It was a risky as hell move, but perhaps the only chance the Russians had of finding me. I fell into it.”
