Chapter 28
We’d plotted and planned the entire day.
Somehow, Garrett had managed to set up a fake meeting between Nazari and a potential buyer.
It was bullshit, of course, but we needed the older shitbag away from the younger shitbag sons and the CIA agent.
The woman was still a wild card and it was unclear what her objective was.
She was either really good at her job and was seriously committed, or she’d turned.
I’d sacrificed a lot for my country, however, I didn’t think I could go as far as sleeping with a terrorist to complete my mission.
I knew it happened. There were some deep cover agents who did what they had to do to accomplish their objectives.
I hoped Ashaki Maloof knew what she was doing and was still on the right side of the fight.
“We’re outta here in ten minutes.” Declan poked his head into the bedroom.
I’d finished packing up and was zipping up my bag when I answered, “I’m set. Need any help?”
“Nope.” Declan’s assessing stare settled on me and I braced. “Listen, I wanted to ask you, everything straight with you and Max?”
“We’re good.” I bit back the rest of what I wanted to say. We’d stay good as long as he never pulled that bullshit with Tatiana again.
“Last night was fucked. I don’t agree with what he did.
This is not an excuse, but he was hyped up.
That first shot that came through the window?
It should’ve taken him out. If he would’ve exhaled the wrong way, he wouldn’t be here.
It was unfortunate the two of you walked up when you did.
He hadn’t even processed he was still breathing.
The more I get to know Max, the more I understand his loyalty to this team.
I could be wrong, but I think he was pissed because he was worried about you. ”
He wasn’t wrong. Max trusted only us and he’d be the first one to jump in front of a bullet if it meant his team was safe. I also knew why Max didn’t trust anyone, but it wasn’t my place to tell his story.
“I know you’re right. But he knows better than to point a loaded weapon at a friendly. Fuck, accidents happen.”
“You’re right.” Declan turned to leave but stopped and smiled.
“For the record, it wasn’t loaded, his magazine was empty.
He pumped fifteen rounds into the fucker who nearly took his head off.
He shook off the shock, jumped off the couch, and before anyone could stop him, he went Rambo.
Completely justifiable, the asshole had engaged first. But it wasn’t smart the way he reacted. ”
That was something Declan as team leader was also going to learn. Max was impulsive, but not in a bad way. He went with his gut and reacted. I’d never known him to be wrong. Until last night. Before I could explain this to Dec, he was already walking away.
I tossed my pack over my shoulder and stared down at the crumpled sheets.
I couldn’t remember a time I’d slept so soundly on an op.
Nor could I remember a woman who felt so good, so right in my arms. I’d been on a wild emotional rollercoaster, complete with twists and turns, peaks and valleys, and upside-down loops since the second I’d laid eyes on Tatiana.
It didn’t take days for my feelings to change, it took minutes.
Sometimes seconds. The fuck of it was, I liked it.
The bottom line was, I simply liked her, more than I should.
I’d moved past complicated straight into the daunting task of how I was going to convince her we were right for each other.
I wanted her to stay with the team. I didn’t know how Zane would react, but neither did I care.
He’d have to get over it because she wasn’t going back to work for Leon Brown and The Company.
I’d handcuff her ass to me before I let her continue to work for a man who’d put her in danger.
I also didn’t give a shit how mad she got or that it made me a bit of a controlling prick. Her breathing was more important.
I wasn’t entirely sure how I’d gotten to this place, but I knew she was the one.
I felt it deep in my bones. I didn’t know jack about her life before I’d met her, except the few tidbits she’d shared.
I didn’t know her favorite foods, movies, if she liked to read, her political views.
However, it didn’t matter. There was a fuck ton I’d need to learn, and I was looking forward to it.
For the first time in my life, I wanted to know.
And I wanted her to know me, all of me, every dark secret I had.
Everything was moving fast. I was good with that, too.
The amount of days I knew her didn’t matter.
It was what I’d seen in those days that cemented my resolve.
I wasn’t letting her go. I was going to fight my damnedest to nail her down.
There was no other option. I was going to show her I was the man who was meant to walk this life with her.
I took one last look at the bed I’d shared with her, remembering how good she’d felt cradled in my arms. Yeah, I wanted more mornings with Tatiana. Sleepy and soft. Breathy good nights and whispered good mornings.
“Hey. There you are. Zane called in, everything’s in place,” Tatiana told me as I made my way down the hall. “You okay?”
“Perfect. Why?”
“You’re looking at me funny.”
“Funny how?”
Damn, she was so hot I wanted to drag her back into the bedroom and start what we hadn’t had a chance to do this morning before Thad came banging on the door.
Her appeal went way beyond her good looks.
There was something in the way she looked at me that made me want to fall at her feet.
I was in way too deep for a man who had no idea if she felt anything for him other than physical attraction.
“I don’t know. You’re just looking at me strange.”
“Huh. I don’t know, Doll.” I stopped in front of her and wrapped my arm around her waist, bringing her flush to my front. “How about you and I go out on a date?”
“A date?”
I had no idea why I’d asked her that. I’d never tried to woo a woman before. Mainly because I’d never been interested in anything permanent.
“Yeah, Doll, a date.”
“Um. Brooks, have you forgotten where we are?”
I kind of had, though I wasn’t about to admit it to her. I was a highly-trained special operator. I was well-versed in: regroup, improvise, and adapt. Surely I could come up with something.
“I haven’t forgotten.”
“Then why the hell would you ask me on a date? We’re kinda in the middle of something.”
“If by something, you mean the getting-to-know-you phase, I agree.”
“Brooks—”
“Tomorrow night.”
“Tomorrow night we’re scheduled to recon Al Issa’s compound,” she reminded me.
“I know.”
“If you know, then why would you ask me on a date tomorrow night?”
“Who says some good ole fashioned reconnaissance can’t be a date?”
Her eyes flashed, then narrowed. I tried to hold back my humor as her mouth opened and shut a few times before she finally said, “Gee, don’t you know how to impress a woman.”
“Tell me you don’t enjoy scouting secured locations under the threat of physical harm.”
Her lips tipped up and she shook her head. “Boy, you’re a real smooth Casanova, aren’t you? Promise a girl a little action and she’s putty in your hands.”
“I’ll even let you take point and give you the brand-new pair of NVGs.”
“Wow. How can I possibly say no to that?”
“You can’t.” I lowered my face and nuzzled her neck.
Fuck, she smelled good. I’d already been fighting a hard-on as we’d exchanged banter, but as I inhaled her fresh scent, I lost the battle.
I pushed our pelvises together and muttered, “And for the record, the action I’m promising won’t leave you putty in my hands.
It will leave you boneless and exhausted.
” Her body trembled and I smiled against her neck. “So it’s a date?”
“Yeah.”
One word laced with so much desire. I groaned into the soft skin under her ear. With a soft touch of my lips, I pulled back and took in her flushed cheeks and glazed eyes. Thank fuck, I wasn’t the only one affected.