Chapter 23 #2
He palmed the bed, cursing how weak he felt simply pushing onto his feet, but at least he didn’t tumble directly to the floor. Managed to make it across the room without falling onto Olivia—crushing her in the process.
Gibson shouldered up on his other side, giving Olivia an amused smile before helping Phoenix across the room. Lowering him onto the love seat. Grinning way too much when Olivia sat down beside him. Phoenix did his best to glare, but it was hard when the man had helped save his ass.
Cannon waited until they’d eased back against the cushions before nodding. “Brady said you were conscious, but I didn’t believe it until just now. Something on your mind, Phoenix?”
“Yeah, Smyth. Please tell me the bastard didn’t get away.”
“Not in the sense you’re thinking...” Cannon looked at Brady, sighing when the man waved him on.
“Crow and Devlyn took Smyth into the NSA. Had him placed in a secure cell while they collaborated with the DoD and the DIA. Figured out how they’d proceed.
But when they went to question him two days, ago, he was dead. ”
Phoenix coughed, regretting the way it pulled on, well, everything, as he shook his head. “Someone got to him? In a secure cell inside the NSA?”
“Looks like it. Though, I can’t say I’m surprised.
Turns out his real name was Michael Anderson.
Former-CIA officer who’d spent the past fifteen years heading a department inside the DIA’s Clandestine Service.
Guy had more connections than O’Hare. I can’t imagine anyone wanted him talking.
Spinning some kind of deal.” Cannon pushed off from the counter, covering half the distance to the couch.
“I know we all wanted answers—intel as to who else was involved. A way to take the entire cancerous cell out, but at least the immediate threat’s over. ”
“No, it’s not.”
Gibson cleared his throat. “It might not feel like it, Vale, but you won. With how this went down, I doubt anyone will come gunning for your crew for a long time. Not when they have no idea if Anderson talked or not. He was in lockup for a few days before they got to him. He could have told us everything.”
Phoenix shook his head. “It’s not that. I don’t really care if Smyth—Anderson’s dead.
One less fucker to hunt down, again, later, as far as I’m concerned.
But when I had him outside that hanger—just before that helicopter showed up and tried to gun us down.
When Olivia and Relic saved my ass... Anderson told me he was nothing more than a puppet.
Just like McCormick. That the real threat was still out there, and that they wouldn’t let him get taken alive.
And, seeing how he’s dead... I’m betting the bastard wasn’t lying. ”
“Another threat?” Gib looked around the room. “What threat?”
“He didn’t say. Only that the guy was a nightmare. Something about him being a virtual threat. I didn’t have enough time to grill the bastard, bad guys shooting at us, and all that.”
“Bloody hell.” Gibson focused on Cannon. “Don’t suppose you can get that Becca, lass, to look into this? She’s pretty handy with a computer.”
Cannon already had his cell out. “Crow. We’ve got a problem...”
He walked out, still talking on the phone, his displeasure marked in the way he moved.
The hint of the door closing behind him when he was generally silent.
Jericho ran a hand through her hair before following after Cannon.
No doubt to calm the man down. Because there was no mistaking Cannon was pissed.
“Guess it was too much to ask that this would all wrap up nicely. But you did well, kid.” Gibson stood then moved over to the sofa. “Now, how about we get you two back to bed.”
“I’m fine, Gibson—”
“You’re whiter than a damn ghost. Besides, Livy needs the rest, too, and with how damn stubborn she is, she won’t sleep unless you do.”
Phoenix looked over at Olivia—damn near stopped breathing at the gleam in her eyes. The one that said she wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of the day in bed with him. Even if all they did was sleep.
Gibson chuckled. “Enough with the come-fuck-me eyes. Let’s go, nice and easy.”
Walking back into the room shouldn’t have been that hard.
Winded Phoenix the way it did. If it hadn’t been for Gibson bracing his weight, he would have slammed into the wall.
Most likely taken Olivia to the floor in a crumpled heap.
As it was, he nearly fell on the bed, his legs giving out as he went to sit.
Gibson simply laughed, again, then stepped back.
“Sleep. Both of you. I’ll bring you some food once you don’t look like death.
” He started for the door, stopping at the threshold.
“And no shagging until you can stand on your own. Because I won’t come back in to lift your starkers arse up off the floor when you roll off the bed. ”
“Jackass.”
“More pet names. Oh, and Vale... Thanks for saving Livy back there. Taking that hit. I owe you.”
The man left before Phoenix could tell Gibson there wasn’t anything to thank him for. That he’d take a thousand bullets for her. No hesitation. No regrets.
Olivia snuggled in next to him, reclaiming her previous position. “Thank you.”
He glanced down at her. “For what?”
She drew her fingers gently across his chest as she seemed to stare off for a bit before smiling up at him. “Exceeding expectations and restoring my faith.”
“You’re welcome.” He dropped a kiss on her head. “Sleep. Before I decide to throw caution to the wind and try some of that shagging Gibson mentioned.”
“You’d only pass out.”
“That sounds like a challenge?”
“One you can answer once you’re healed.” She pressed her hand against his chest when he thought about rolling her over, despite the fact she was right. That he wasn’t close to being able to move let alone make love.
“Fine. But as soon as I’m ready...”
“I’m yours.”
Yeah, she was. And he’d spend the rest of his life proving he was worth it.
“Oh, and Ethan...” Another smile. More brilliant than the last. “I love you.”