Dangerous Desire

34

“What did he do to you? What did that son of a b***h do to you, sweetheart?” I pull away and start to frantically check her for injuries, yanking back the blanket to reveal a pale-blue hospital gown. More bruises encircle her wrist and upper arms. Her knees are red and scabbed, as if she was dragged over carpeting.

“I’m okay,” she says, her voice weak. “I have . . . I think I have a heart infection.”

Connor kneels beside me and checks Eva’s distal pulse. She turns her gaze to him. “Connor. You’re here, too.”

He grins at her. “Course I am. Wouldn’t miss this for the world. How you feelin’, slick? You had us a little worried.”

She pulls her lower lip between her teeth and swallows. “I’m sorry,” she whispers, looking back at me with a furrow between her brows. “I’m so sorry, Naz. I hated to leave like that, but it was the only way—”

“Shh, sweetheart, stop. I know why you did it, but that’s over now. We need to get you somewhere safe.”

Connor stands and pulls his cell from a pocket of his black tactical vest. “I’m calling for exfil now.”

He makes the call as I pepper frantic kisses all over Eva’s face, trying not to cause her any pain but unable to stop myself from kissing her. She’s alive.

“You found me.” Her voice breaks. “You came for me and you found me.”

“Sweetheart.” I press my lips to the corner of her mouth that doesn’t have bruises. Then I gather her into my arms and squeeze her, pressing my cheek to hers and trying to catch my breath. “I’ll always come for you. You know that. You should know that by now.”

She nods wordlessly, clinging to me.

Then I can’t help myself anymore. I kiss her because I think I might die if I don’t.

She kisses me back, matching my passion, not seeming to care about her injuries, making small, desperate noises in the back of her throat and curling her fingers into my arms.

We’re interrupted by Connor’s voice, coming from the kitchen. “Got a note here for you, brother.”

Eva and I break apart. When I look at him, Connor’s holding up a piece of paper, a wry expression on his face.

“It’s from Killian.”

Judging from his tone, he’s already read it. I hold out my hand, unwilling to let go of Eva even for a moment. Connor crosses to me and hands me the note, and I start to read.

The house is yours for as long as you need it. Eva’s meds are in the fridge. I was told she shouldn’t be moved, but I didn’t heed that advice. I doubt you will, either, but if you take her to a hospital, check her in under an assumed name and keep a close eye.

Dimitri’s looking for her. He’ll leave no stone unturned.

My apologies to you both for the bruises. I was given some incorrect intel about her relationship with Dimitri, but rest assured the source will be terminated for the trouble.

Maybe we can meet in person when all this is done. I’m curious what kind of man could make a woman like her so hopelessly devoted. She told me she was going back to the hell she came from to save your life—can you imagine? I can’t decide if that’s heroic or insane.

I’m still not convinced you deserve her, but she’s got her heart set on you, so . . .

Don’t f**k it up.

Best regards,

Killian

PS—That heart-shaped mole under her left breast could be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

I crush the note in my fist and exhale slowly, fighting back the insane-o caveman yell clawing its way up my throat. That fucker sure has some balls.

I won’t think about how he knows about the mole until later, when I’m alone and can break things in private.

“They’re ready for us whenever we are, brother,” says Connor, slipping the phone back into his pocket.

I brush a lock of hair off Eva’s pale forehead. “I’m gonna pick you up now, sweetheart, okay?”

Her smile is tremulous. “You’re here,” she whispers, her eyes filling again. “You don’t have to carry me, I could probably float.”

Emotion swells inside my chest, but I need to concentrate on getting her to safety before I break down and let everything I’m feeling wash over me. I shove Killian’s crumpled note into a pocket, then carefully gather Eva in my arms. She winds her arms around my shoulders and curls into me as I pick her up and stand.

Inhaling deeply against my neck, she shivers and burrows closer.

“I’ll get the meds,” says Connor. “Right behind you.”

He picks up my rifle from the floor and slings it over his shoulder as I hold Eva against my chest and hurry toward the front door.

We take a bird to the nearest safe house Metrix operates, in Cascais, Portugal, a wealthy coastal town not far from Lisbon. The flight is under two hours, but it’s the longest of my life. Eva sleeps cradled against me, her breathing shallow, twitching and softly whining every once in a while as if she’s having a nightmare.

I’m having trouble compartmentalizing the rage I feel toward Killian, the worry I feel about Eva, and the anger I feel at myself.

I should’ve gotten to her sooner.

I should’ve never let her go in the first place.

If only I hadn’t failed to protect her, none of this would’ve happened.