Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
One week later...
“That’s the third time Fitzgerald has called, today.” Gibson looked over at Olivia as she declined the call. Again. “You can’t avoid the bloke forever, Livy.”
She shifted on the love seat, trying not to wince as the movement tugged on the last of her stitches.
The few rounds she’d caught during the firefight.
Nothing like Ethan, but enough she’d taken the past ten days to recover.
Enjoyed the sheer pleasure of spending it next to him, once he’d regained consciousness.
Even before, there had been something pure about watching over him.
Holding his hand. Making sure he knew he wasn’t alone.
She met Gibson’s expectant gaze. “I told him I’d call him at the end of the week.”
“That was three days ago, love.”
She flipped the man off, smiling up at Ethan when he sat down beside her, handing her a cup of tea.
She wasn’t sure if he’d ever made tea before, since all his mates drank coffee, but he’d perfected it.
Seemed to take great pleasure in making it for her.
Watching the way she cradled the cup for warmth.
How that first sip made her smile. She offered her thanks, snuggling into the crook of his shoulder once he’d settled.
Gibson drummed his fingers on the table, still staring at her. “Livy...”
She closed her eyes, uncertain how to respond. If she was ready to admit she wasn’t sure she wanted to go back. That she’d been happier this past couple of weeks with Ethan than all the years she’d spent with MI6.
Sure, he’d said he loved her. A number of times, but they hadn’t discussed how they were going to move forward. What it would take to make them work. If returning to London was even on the table. If he’d give up his life here.
“Sweetheart, you’re going to give yourself a concussion with how hard you’re mulling things over.” Ethan brushed his fingers along her cheek, turning her face until she was looking up at him. “I’m thinking we should talk.”
She glanced around the room. While his entire crew wasn’t there, Cannon and Jericho were, along with Gibson.
Priest, Dungeon and Relic had finally returned to duty, though, they hadn’t seemed happy about it.
Something about their team being dismantled.
Reorganized. And she got the feeling they might be looking for options, too. That they were equally as lost.
Ethan sighed. “We can go somewhere more private, but I don’t think that’s the issue. So, how about I just say what I think is on your mind.”
He tucked some hair behind her ear, a small wince the only indication he hadn’t quite healed. “You’re wondering how we’re gonna move forward. As a couple. If that’s even on the table, right?”
This was it. The part where he either made her dreams come true or blew them into a thousand pieces. “We’re an ocean apart, Ethan.”
“Only if we want to be.” He silenced her with a finger across her lips.
“I love you. Which means I’m all-in. Whether it’s here or in London is up to you.
I’m pretty sure I can find someone who appreciates my unique skill set.
But the real question is... What do you want?
Because you seem a bit reluctant to go back—the way you’ve been avoiding your boss case in point.
And I can’t help but wonder if maybe the whole MI6 thing is starting to wear a little thin.
Especially since you’ve made some fairly powerful enemies who know who you are, now. ”
“We don’t know for sure that Anderson had unearthed my real name.”
“He knew enough to set up Gibson. I think it’s safe to assume he’d figured out who you are, too.”
She sighed. He had a point. If Anderson had gone to all these extreme lengths just to entrap them, then he’d known far more than she wanted to believe.
“Okay, let’s assume you’re right. That he knows who I am and what I do. There’s no guarantee he passed that intel along to people who might target me.” She glanced at Gibson. “Or you, because you’re in the same situation, only your missions are far more dangerous than mine.”
Gibson nodded. “Anderson has definitely made future covert ops for MI6 risky. I won’t deny it. But we’re not talking about me, love.”
“Maybe Anderson was lying? Maybe there isn’t anyone else. Some agents that still might be loyal to the cause, sure, but without someone heading the effort, maybe the threat died with him?”
“About that...” Cannon glanced at Jericho, smiling when she nodded. As if just knowing she was on his side eased whatever misgivings he’d had about sharing what was on his mind. “Crow called just before you two wandered out here. Becca did some digging...”
Ethan scrubbed a hand down his face. “Why does that thought make my skin crawl?”
“Because you know how scary good the lady is.”
“And the fact you’re stalling means whatever she found wasn’t good.”
“It’s easier if I just show you.”
He moved over to the sofa, then handed Ethan a tablet. Ethan angled it so she could see then swiped to open the screen. There was an image of Becca’s computer screen, with the message pwned written repeatedly across the monitor.
“Well, fuck.” Ethan looked over at her. “Pretty sure Anderson wasn’t lying.”
Olivia frowned. “Is he trying to say he’s already beaten us?”
Cannon sighed. “I think it’s more of a challenge. One our friend thinks we’ll lose.”
“So, we’re all screwed?” Olivia met each of their gazes in turn. “Will we spend the rest of our lives looking over our shoulders?”
Ethan gave her hand a squeeze. “I can handle anyone who comes our way until we’re old and gray.
While that might be easier if I have my team around to back me up, I’ll make it work regardless of where we are.
So... You need to decide where you want that to be. Here? Or back with in London with MI6?”
She sucked her bottom lip into her mouth, worrying it between her teeth before slowly exhaling. “Honestly? I don’t know. Even before I came back, I was having...reservations. As if nothing fit right. That someone had shifted the picture just enough it made everything blurry. Out of sync.”
“Well, if you’re looking for options...” Cannon grinned.
“Bishop got me a line on one of those helicopters you were flying for him. It’s a pretty sweet deal.
And, after the way you saved our asses this past few weeks, I’m thinking we could use someone with your unique skill set in our ranks. If you’d be interested.”
He’d been serious before. He was actually offering her a job.
Ethan chuckled, then caressed her cheek. “Breathe, sweetheart, or you’re gonna pass out.”
She startled, drawing in a quick breath before focusing back on Cannon. “You’re going to buy a helicopter? Just like that?”
“Actually, I’ve been considering it for a while.
Ever since Dungeon helped us out with Slader, I’ve been looking into expanding.
Making it easier to partner up with Bishop’s company in the future.
Have his men team up with us. I’ve had to turn down a number of security jobs because I don’t have the manpower.
Or the ability to get my people where they need to be.
Phoenix brought up a very delicate issue when he needed to travel with his rifle.
Even with doing everything by-the-books, it draws attention to us.
If we had a means of flying personnel to other destinations without having to worry about someone notifying the feds. ..”
“Wouldn’t a jet be better? Cheaper?”
“A jet can’t hover. Get us into all those crazy places you did. It’s definitely something I’ll consider for the future, but for now, I’ve been told my pilot’s partial to choppers.”
She looked around the room, then back to Cannon. “You’re serious? Even after my last two jobs ended in pieces?”
“Technically, the last chopper was still intact. And the one before... You saved Phoenix’s life.
I can’t ask for more than that.” He shrugged.
“It’s a selfish move. I get to keep you and Phoenix, though, I’m still deciding if he’s gifted or a liability.
” Cannon dodged the coaster Ethan tossed at his head.
“I’ve put the offer out to Priest and his crew.
That, if they need options, I’ve got work for them.
Would love to have them officially back on the team.
And if they head another office, you’d be very busy. ”
Cannon moved back over to the kitchen, accepting a cup of coffee from Jericho. “You don’t have to decide, right now. Think it over. Talk to London. See what feels right.”
She twisted to face Ethan better. “If I take the job, we’d be working together.”
“Only if you don’t slow me down.”
“Wanker.”
“You said you’d change that nickname if I survived.” Ethan tapped his chest. “Still breathing, sweetheart.”
“And yet, still a wanker.” She smiled. “Fine, I’ll find something equally endearing. Cannon...” She pushed to her feet. “I don’t need to think about it. I’m in. As long as you’re sure.”
Cannon grinned—damn near had her giggling because the man looked giddy. “Thank Christ, because I already put a deposit down on the chopper. And I don’t think it’s refundable.”
“You put a deposit on the helicopter before you knew I’d say yes?”
“Please, Bishop told me how fangirl you got over flying that machine. I took a chance you might be missing your roots.”
“Now I know where Ethan gets his insanity from. You all got infected in Delta Force.”
“That sounds about right. I’ll go finalize everything. You two should rest more because there’s going to be a pile of work waiting for you once Brady clears you both for duty. And yes, he does have to clear you.”
Ethan stood beside her, offering her his hand.
She took it, flipping off Gibson when he made snogging faces at her as they headed back to Cannon’s spare room.
Ethan motioned her inside, softly closing the door once she was through.
She turned only to have him wrap his arms around her.
Walk her backwards until she hit the bed.
He didn’t ask her to sit, simply used their momentum to lay her on the mattress, his body braced above her on his elbows.
“Are you daft? You’ll pull out your stitches.”
He nuzzled her chin, completely oblivious to her protest. “Stitches are already falling out. And you did say you were mine once I was ready.”
She couldn’t argue with that. “I did, and I am, after we talk about Cannon’s offer. Are you really okay with all of this? With us working together? Potentially...”
She couldn’t say it. Didn’t want to jinx it.
He snorted. “Potentially, what? Living together?” He sat up. Gave her room to lean against the headboard. “Does saying ‘I love you’ mean something different in the UK? Because here, it generally means you want to spend as much time as possible with the other person.”
“It’s a lot, all happening at once.”
“Long overdue. I was scared before. I’m not, anymore. So, yes, Olivia. I’m okay with ‘all of this’. With us working together. Living together. In fact, there’s a loft not far from here that would be perfect, if you’d like to go take a look.”
“You found us a flat?”
“I found us several, including three that are close to MI6 headquarters in London. In case that’s where you wanted to be. I meant what I said. I don’t care where I live as long as you’re there.” He laughed at the way she scrunched her nose. “What?”
“I stand by my original opinion. You’re crazy.”
“Sure am. Crazy about you. So, will you go look at places with me?”
“Absolutely. But first...” She scooted over to the side of the bed then opened the drawer on the side table, removing a parcel wrapped in brown paper. She held it out to Ethan. “Open it.”
He arched a brow, but accepted the gift, carefully unwrapping it, then flipping it over. His mouth opened on a harsh inhale as he stared at the frame. The photo of them in Afghanistan with her old dog tags down one side.
He looked up at her, tried to speak, only to cough. Swallow. “I...where did you get that photo?”
“I had a copy on my personal computer back home. I had Becca retrieve it for me and print it out.” Olivia snorted.
“It was far too easy for her to do that, by the way. Then, I asked Gibson to grab me the frame. I thought we could put it on the wall in our new flat. If, you still think that part of our lives is worth remembering?”
He smiled. Not forced or halfway. As if a beam of light was shining on his face, illuminating him from the inside out. “It can go on the mantle, along with all the other memories we’ll capture.”
He placed the frame on the table, then shuffled in close. “Thank you. It’s perfect.”
“You’re welcome, as long as this means you’re ready to have your wicked way with me. That was your plan before I interrupted you, right?”
“It is, now.” He pressed a soft kiss on her mouth. “I love you.”
“Love you, more. Now, let’s get to that shagging Gibson was on about.”
The men of Wayward Souls will return in
Delta Force: Priest…
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